Soul Detox by Craig Greoschel

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

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"You’ll be hard pressed not to find something you can’t relate to within Soul Detox."

Nowadays it seems many people are trying to detox their physical bodies by drinking Naked® juices, protein drinks or partaking in other natural remedies/fads. Yet our souls, the primary battlefield for spiritual growth and transformation, are largely ignored. Somehow, along the way, we have succumbed to the idea that living clean in a contaminated world is not worth the effort or just too downright difficult!

The often subtle hazardous thoughts and dangerous influences exerted on our lives can wreak utter chaos in our faith journeys. Nobody wants to admit to the presence of any of these toxins within our body or mindset, but detoxing our souls is not a luxury or option we can put off any longer.

Craig’s mantra that we are "a soul with a body" not the other way around is one of the key foundational concepts in Soul Detox. His conversational style evokes a trust from the reader with the mindset of “learn from me and my life experiences.” He doesn’t shy away from the hard-hitting questions, personal illustrations, or repetition to drive home the point!

This quick read of 237 pages is divided into three sections: Toxic Behaviors, Toxic Emotions and Toxic Influences.

Here’s Groeschel on Hazard Waste: “We don’t want to risk losing our reputation, status, material possessions, or other relationships because of what we’ve done. So we start spinning sticky webs.” On Germ Warfare: “Each image and message we ingest may be a germ that will make us gravely ill, especially when combined with the many other sensory germs we’re taking in . . . We must disinfect our hearts with the germ-killing power of the truth.”

His chapter on unlocking the chokehold of fear in “Scare Pollution” was extremely poignant for me and moved me to reflection within my soul. Practical ways to remain clean, pure and focused on the high standard of God's holiness are fleshed out within these pages. Because it is biblically-based, this is definitely not psycho-babble! I highly recommend re-reading and meditating on the scriptural references.

You’ll be hard pressed not to find something you can’t relate to within Soul Detox. To put it into personal, daily use is the challenge for each one of us.

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.