The second in a series of five blogs (2-of-5) to explain how most in the Church have missed the Bible’s wholly Spirit-Powered Escape Plan for overcoming the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The second in a series of five blogs examining the Church’s Bible-based (but Spirit-passive!) purity programs.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

BUILDING UPON A PROVEN, ACCOUNTABILITY-BASED FOUNDATION

Many of the Church’s purity programs have roots in the proven, accountability-based 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). By incorporating Scripture passages into each of the 12 Steps, it is believed that these AA-based battle plans are transformed into God-designed ways of escape from sins of the flesh. It seems quite logical. Especially since there is now a long record of believers that have been set free from their addictions using these AA-based battle plans.

Persons already familiar with the 12 Steps of AA will find this approach appealing. Even some non-believers. Desperate to be free of their addiction, some non-believers will even be open to (and tolerant of) the references to Scripture during the weekly group meetings. Which leads to yet another selling point: With a properly trained Group Leader, these battle plans can even double as an evangelistic tool for reaching the lost.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

A proven, 89-year-old approach (the accountability-based 12 Steps of AA was founded in 1935). Laced with Scripture throughout. And it can also double as an evangelistic tool. So, what’s the problem?

PROBLEM #1: MOST WILL NOT SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY-BASED HELP

Most individuals wanting to escape a porn/sex addiction, will not seek accountability-based help. A survey by the respected Barna Group revealed that a whopping 83% of persons wanting to quit porn still had nobody in their life to help them quit (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-percent-v6). Even when mistakenly told that accountability is their only option, most Christian men are still choosing 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.

PROBLEM #2: SECULAR BEGINNINGS PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE A SPIRIT-PASSIVE END

But the biggest problem with battle plans rooted in the 12 Steps of AA is the slight done to the Holy Spirit. An unintentional slight, of course. But a slight, nonetheless. The Church has repeatedly demonstrated that the Holy Spirit will, at best, be nothing more than a passive player in battle plans that begin secular. With the Spirit effectively buried, those 17% that do seek accountability-based help will be left with an escape route that, even if successfully navigated, may be the hardest thing that they will ever do in their lives.

PROBLEM #3: THE HARDEST THING THAT AN ADDICT WILL EVER DO

Those insisting that accountability is the only way of escape 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-v6). 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! Why the dramatic drop in difficulty? Because it is always easier to “Feed the Spirit” than to “Starve the Flesh.” Much, much easier.

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 feeding the Spirit results in a much easier-to-successfully-navigate Escape Route. Readers learn how to escape the 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). 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 83% now have another option. The still-struggling 83% 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!

THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT!