AN OBJECTION
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2).
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
That’s accountability (Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:16). It’s not a suggestion. It’s a Biblical commandment. By teaching something other than this proven Biblical way of escape, aren’t you encouraging your readers to disobey Scripture’s teaching on accountability?
RESPONSE
In all likelihood, the individual raising this objection sincerely believes that accountability is the addict’s only way of escape from the lusts of the flesh. If that were the case, then this is a valid objection. But accountability is not the addict’s only recourse. There is another way of escape. A wholly Spirit-powered way (Galatians 5:16). A Way of Escape is not teaching readers to disobey Scripture. It is simply teaching that there is another way of escape.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
ANOTHER WAY OF ESCAPE
Yes, another way of escape. There are two. Accountability reprograms the brain by starving the flesh. While a wholly Spirit-powered option reprograms the brain by feeding the Spirit. The Result? Two separate, distinct, and fundamentally different ways of reprogramming the brain.
Every individual is different. An accountability-based purity program might be best for those that desire the support and camaraderie that groups provide (Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:16). While, for a variety of reasons, others might prefer a wholly Spirit-powered option (Galatians 5:16). Two such reasons follow:
1) Eliminates the Shame Factor: A survey by the respected Barna Group revealed that a whopping 83% of persons wanting to quit porn still have nobody in their life to help them quit (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-percent-v3). Even if this were the only available option, most Christian men will still choose to hoist the white flag, acknowledge defeat, and resign themselves to a hypocritical inconsistent walk. For these men, the Shame Factor is simply too high. Too high for them to publicly acknowledge that they have a sin problem and seek help. Far more appealing is an option where these men need only call on the Holy Spirit.
2) Ease of Escape: Advocates of accountability openly acknowledge that accountability-based escape (= partner/group-aided starving of the flesh) may be the hardest thing that an addict will ever do in his life (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/the-hardest-thing-v3). On the other hand, escape in the Way of Escape Battle Plan is accomplished by repeatedly popping a DVD into a DVD player and drowning oneself in the Holy Spirit. Easy-Peasy!
It is always easier to “Feed the Spirit” than to “Starve the Flesh.” Much, much easier.
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
In A Way of Escape, readers learn how to escape lusts of the flesh 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).
The still-struggling now have another option. The still-struggling now have fresh hope for discovering that long-sought-after way of escape from sin and temptation (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!
