In every born-again believer, there is an ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). For many, the Spirit reigns, with only occasional setbacks. But for those still struggling to fully overcome a porn addiction, the flesh is posting wins in this battle far too often.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Galatians 5:17).
The Christian literature describes a variety of battle plans for conquering the flesh and renewing the mind. While Spirit-Feeders are certainly an option, Flesh-Starvers dominate the landscape in today’s Church.
ACCOUNTABILITY-BASED PURITY PROGRAMS: STARVING THE FLESH
Component parts of flesh-starving accountability-based purity programs do indeed include examples of feeding the Spirit. The Spirit-inspired Scriptures are quoted throughout. And other Spirit-edifying activities are encouraged in the six days between the weekly group meetings. But broadly speaking, programs that depend on weekly check-ups with other fellow strugglers to win the battle against the flesh cannot be classified as Spirit-Feeders. Such programs are rightly classified as Flesh-Starvers.
THE WAY OF ESCAPE BATTLE PLAN: FEEDING THE SPIRIT
Component parts of the Way of Escape Battle Plan do indeed call for a starving of the flesh. Readers are encouraged to remove the offending eye (Matthew 5:29), and to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41). But the Holy Spirit is the only Person called upon to help win the battle against the flesh. The Way of Escape Battle Plan is thus rightly classified as a Spirit-Feeder.
STARVING THE FLESH vs. FEEDING THE SPIRIT
Starving the flesh. Feeding the Spirit. Both approaches have successfully freed believers from their addictions. But might one approach be preferred over the other?
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 FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO MIND RENEWAL
The Way of Escape Battle Plan offers a fundamentally different approach to mind renewal. Fundamentally different than any approach currently being discussed in the Christian literature. All purity programs rightly pay homage to the Holy Spirit. But none that I am aware of provide a step-by-step “how-to” procedure for experiencing the Spirit’s filling. Nor do any explain how regularly repeating that Spirit-filling experience eventually leads to a renewing of the mind.
The Way of Escape Battle Plan goes the extra mile. Or two. It provides a step-by-step “how-to” procedure for experiencing a filling of the Spirit. The Case Study then goes on to demonstrate how regularly repeating that Spirit-filling experience eventually leads to a renewing of the mind.
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 renew their minds—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 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!
THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT!
