A difficult series of blogs to write (Blogs 55-61). Negatively critiquing the work of my dear brothers and sisters in the faith gives me no pleasure. Brothers and sisters that—with nothing but the best of intentions—are also tirelessly and sincerely striving to glorify God and edify the Church. But neither can I remain silent. I cannot sit on news that can benefit untold numbers of still-struggling fellow believers (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-percent-v9). I cannot sit on news that heaps praise on the oft-forgotten God of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. News that could potentially even help to ignite revival in the Church—a Holy Spirit Revival (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/revival-in-the-church-v8)! I take no pleasure in negative critiquing, but neither can I remain silent. I must share what I have learned firsthand of the Holy Spirit’s exceeding abundant inner-working power (Ephesians 3:20) to deliver believers from addictive lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)!
All of the higher profile Bible-based purity programs insist that accountability is the addict’s only way of escape from addictive lusts of the flesh. But Scripture clearly teaches that there is another way. A wholly Spirit-powered way (Galatians 5:16). The second in a series of two blogs (2-of-2) that question whether accountability is the only God-Designed Way of Escape.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
QUESTION #2 (of 2)
Flesh-starving accountability works. It has been proven in both the World and in Bible-based purity programs. But is flesh-starving accountability the only God-Designed Way of Escape from addictive lusts of the flesh? The World can do flesh-starving accountability. Which begs the question: Should the World be able to successfully navigate the only God-Designed Way of Escape?
AN EVANGELISTIC SELLING POINT
Many Bible-based purity programs may be successfully navigated by the World. This is often even cited as an evangelistic selling point by the program builders. Hear what builders of Bible-based purity programs are saying about the evangelistic benefits of their flesh-starving, accountability-based purity programs:
We expect that most readers of this book will be professing Christians, but this is certainly not required. Anyone can achieve healing by implementing the principles outlined in this book [1].
When we did Pure Desire Groups ... we did a survey ... 35 percent of the guys in a Pure Desire Group did not attend any church ... it becomes a powerful evangelism tool [2].
You may be wondering, “Do I have to believe in God and Jesus to participate in Celebrate Recovery?” The answer is “absolutely not.” ... No, all you have to do to qualify is to have a hurt, hang-up, or habit and a desire to get well ... we do not require you to become a believer in order to attend and participate [3].
BUT MIGHT THERE BE ANOTHER LESS DESIRABLE TAKEAWAY?
Flesh-starving, accountability-based purity programs doubling as powerful evangelistic tools for reaching the lost. Wonderful news indeed! But might there be another less desirable takeaway?
A non-believer begins the program with a porn addiction, attends all of the meetings, completes all of the assignments, and exits the program cured of his addiction. This individual’s newfound power for righteous living is certainly not the program’s Scripture-added content, for he does not believe in the inspiration and power of Scripture. Nor is it found in Jesus Christ, for he has never accepted Christ as Savior. Nor is it a result of the inner-working power of the Holy Spirit, for he has never been born of the Spirit. The power for righteous living for those individuals that have successfully navigated these Bible-based, flesh-starving, accountability-based purity programs? Clearly, it is their flesh-starving accountability group! Not Holy Scripture. Not Jesus Christ. Not the Holy Spirit.
The power for righteous living for those individuals that have successfully navigated these Bible-based, flesh-starving, accountability-based purity programs? Clearly, it is their flesh-starving accountability group! Not Holy Scripture. Not Jesus Christ. Not the Holy Spirit.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Bible-based, flesh-starving, accountability-based purity programs provide a way of escape from lusts of the flesh. But might navigability by the World suggest that these programs are not the only God-Designed Way of Escape? Something to think about the next time you hear that grit-your-teeth, strap-yourself-in, white-knuckle-it accountability is the only God-Designed Way of Escape from addictive lusts of the flesh.
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
In A Way of Escape, readers learn how to escape lusts of the flesh—not by starving the flesh, but—by stepping up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). Readers learn how to build a library of Spirit-anointed, flesh-diffusing apps. Apps that are uniquely fitted to them, and their unique Spirit-filling triggers (Ephesians 5:18b-19).
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
The still-struggling now have another option. The still-struggling now have fresh hope for discovering that long-sought-after way of escape from temptation and resulting sin (I Corinthians 10:13). A way that—because it is wholly Spirit-powered—does not require enlisting the aid of an accountability partner or group. Truly, a game-changer!
THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT!
REFERENCES
1. Gross, C., and S. Luff, Pure Eyes: A Man’s Guide to Sexual Integrity, First Printing, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, page 13, 2010
2. Roberts, T., Conquer Series: The Battle Plan for Purity (12-disc DVD set), Volume1, Disc 4, Track 11 – Become a Powerful Witness, KingdomWorks Studios, Stuart, FL, 2017
3. Baker, J., Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery: How God Can Heal Your Life, First Printing, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, pages 99, 108, and 115, 2012
