The first in a series of 16 blogs answering anticipated (or actual) objections to material set forth in A Way of Escape, i.e., the first in a series of 16 blogs answering anticipated FAQs.
OBJECTION #1 (of 16)
With the best of intentions, the church leader cries out, “Neurology, limbic systems, and music videos? Whoa! You’re unnecessarily complicating the issue with a lot of peripheral, non-biblical stuff. All a believer needs to do to break free from a porn addiction is read his Bible more. And pray harder.”
RESPONSE
A spot-on message—if the audience for this message has never set foot in the porn pit. Pre-emptive strikes are well suited for that audience.
MORE HARM THAN GOOD
But for the believer who is suffering from a porn addiction, this message will likely do more harm than good. Here’s why. The recipient of this message has been given hope—hope from no less than a respected, long-time Christian leader in his church. “This has got to work,” the addict reasons. “It’s counsel coming from one of the wisest counselors in my church.” But when the failures continue (as they will, since the problem has now gone neural), the addict will experience increased levels of shame and worthlessness. When the expert counsel of a respected church leader does not help, hope begins to fade. Worse yet, if hope is lost, the addict is likely to sink even deeper into his habit.
TAILORING THE MESSAGE
The Internet and its free and easy access to websites featuring high-definition video clips of all types of sexual behavior. We are dealing with temptation at probably the highest and most dangerous level in human history. Temptation that can so quickly and easily become an addiction. To develop a successful Bible-Based Escape Plan, we need to be referencing Biblical passages that deal with addiction.
ROMANS 7: THE ADDICTION CHAPTER
Romans 7 is the Biblical Chapter on addiction. The addict’s frustration is on full display in verses 15-25, and particularly in verse 19.
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice (Romans 7:19).
ROMANS 8: THE ANTIDOTE CHAPTER
Romans 8 provides the Biblical Antidote, with three references to “walking in the Spirit” in just the first 13 verses:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not WALK according to the flesh, but ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT (Romans 8:1).
That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not WALK according to the flesh but ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT (Romans 8:4).
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, you will live (Romans 8:13).
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
In A Way of Escape, readers learn of a “walking in the Spirit” Biblical Antidote for a porn/sex addiction. Readers learn how to escape their addictions by stepping up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). They 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!
