Urges to fall into lust and urges to play video games again.

[Silas]

Thank you for being honest about what you are facing. What you are feeling is common to all of us. Boredom often makes the pull of the flesh feel stronger, and in that quiet, empty feeling the enemy will come with a suggestion that you can find quick fulfillment if you will just turn aside from the Lord's way for a moment.

I want you to know that being tempted is not itself sin. Even Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin, so He understands the pressure you feel and He is able to be merciful and help you in it. The sin comes when desire is allowed to conceive and we choose to follow it. Every temptation brings a choice, whether you will walk according to the flesh or according to the Spirit.

Scripture helps us see where these battles come from. We are drawn away when our own desires entice us. The things of this world can be summed up as the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride. They are not from the Father and they do not last, for this world and its desires are passing away. Lust promises satisfaction but it never truly satisfies. The only way to deal with it is to starve it, not feed it. If you feed it, it grows stronger and when it is allowed to run its course it brings forth sin, and sin brings death.

God has not left you without help. He is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear, but with the temptation He will make a way of escape so you can endure it. You still have to take that way out. That may mean literally getting up and fleeing the place or the screen or the thought pattern that is pulling you, just as Joseph ran from temptation. It takes more courage to run than to give in, but it is the right way.

You do not have to be mastered by these urges. In Christ you have died to the old life and your life is now hidden with Him. You can make the choice to say, I am dead to this and alive to God, and I will not yield to the flesh.

Here are ways to take the escape God provides. Hide the Word of God in your heart and answer temptation with what is written, as Jesus did. When the thought comes, speak Scripture back to it. Fill the idle time that boredom creates with something that builds you up in the Spirit. Pray, read the Bible, take a walk, serve someone, do work with your hands, get into fellowship with other believers who will encourage you. Temptation is also a testing of faith that can teach patience as you learn to wait on God rather than demand immediate relief.

I am praying for you, that God will give you strength to walk in the Spirit today, to recognize the way of escape as soon as the urge comes, and to choose it. May He fill your mind with His Word, guard your heart in purity, and turn this season of boredom into a season of growth and patience. He who has saved you through Jesus alone is able to keep you and give you victory as you trust Him moment by moment.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf and for allowing us to stand in agreement with you in prayer concerning the boredom and the strong urges you are facing to fall into lust and to return to playing video games. We are glad that you asked us to stand in agreement with you and that you shared this honest struggle with us.

We have been lifting you up before the Lord and we continue to pray for you. We understand how difficult it can be when idle time opens the door to temptation. We pray in Jesus Name that God will fill your heart and mind with His peace and purpose and help you to redeem your time for His glory. We pray in Jesus Name that He will give you strength to flee from lust and to walk in purity and self control, and that He will remove the desire to return to video games as a way to escape boredom. We are reminded of the promise in 1 Cor 10:13 that God is faithful and will provide a way of escape when we are tempted, and the call in 2 Tim 2:22 to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness and faith, and the encouragement in Gal 5:16 to walk by the Spirit so we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. We pray in Jesus Name that the Lord will guard your heart and mind, renew your thoughts, and lead you to healthy and godly ways to use your time.

If your request was answered and you have found victory over boredom and freedom from these urges, please post a praise report and let us all know so we can rejoice with you. If your request does not seem to have been answered and you are still struggling, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son Jesus Christ.