Wiley Graf, PhD
The tenth in a series of 12 blogs answering anticipated objections to material set forth in A Way of Escape, i.e., the tenth in a series of 12 blogs answering anticipated FAQs.
OBJECTION #10 (of 12)
There is no movement of men who are doing this alone. If there is a proven higher success rate for men to find permanent freedom from sexual sin through accountability, it seems reckless to teach a “do-it-alone” way of escape.
[NOTE: In all likelihood, the individual raising this objection sincerely believes that accountability is the addict’s only means of escape from the lusts of the flesh. If that is 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).]RESPONSE
Another two-part response. The first to remind that no born-of-the-Spirit believer is in this battle alone. And the second to describe a wholly Spirit-powered way of escape. A way that, as the above OBJECTION correctly states, the Church is not talking about. But it should be! That the Church is not talking about wholly Spirit-powered escape from lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16) is shocking, and is the very reason why A Way of Escape was written.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
1) NOT IN THIS BATTLE ALONE
The common mistake of failing to recognize the Holy Spirit as a Person. The Spirit-indwelt believer is not in this battle alone. He is a “Spirit-Powered Group of Two.” And this “Spirit-Powered Group of Two” is actually much stronger—and much better positioned to withstand the attacks of the enemy and not be overtaken—than the believer with his group of flesh-and-blood accountability partners.
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 [1] (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-pecent-v3). So yes, there is a desperate need for another movement of men. Not to do it alone. But to do it with only the help of the Holy Spirit Helper. No accountability partner/group required!
2) 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). But, for a variety of reasons, the still-struggling believer may prefer a wholly Spirit-powered option instead (Galatians 5:16). Two such reasons are provided below:
- Eliminates the Shame Factor: Most Christian men will opt out of accountability-based programs once made aware that they must spill their sexual sins in a group setting. 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.
- 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 are reminded that born-of-the-Spirit believers are never alone in their battle with the flesh. Readers learn how to build a zero-shame, easier-to-navigate, escape-without-accountability, wholly Spirit-powered Battle Plan. They learn how to step 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 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!
To learn more about the book and its author: https://www.wileygrafbooks.com/
To purchase the book: https://kharispublishing.com/kp/product/a-way-of-escape/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637461186/
REFERENCES
- The Porn Phenomenon: The Impact of Pornography in the Digital Age, Barna Group, Ventura, CA, page 112, 2016 (83% determined as the average of 79% for Teens and Young Adults and 87% for Adults Age 25 and Older)
