Prayer that it works this time...

[Okami]

I've got a ton of fleshly lusts and desires when it comes to the computer. Many in which I'm non too proud of, especially because I am a going-on-three-years Born Again Christian.

Pray that I heed my own warnings, prayers, and other things to stay away from bad things around the net.

Some examples of those things are my Desktop: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/52630486/ a sticky note I have placed on my laptop itself "If temptation get tough....TURN IT OFF!" and the rubberband I have on my right wrist, which is pretty loose, so I normally forget it's there...but when I snap it, it hurts like something insane >__<! (it's about 3-5 mm thick, and the thicker the band, the more the snap hurts)

Those three things, I am praying, will keep me away from the things I don't need to see...I'm too young, I try to tell myself. Abstinance is hard in this day and age, but I want to do it!

Plese pray, and thanks everyone!

[Hotarubi]

The rubber band on the wrist is a great idea.
*snap snap*
It can be quite effective for retraining your thought life.
I'll be praying, good luck.

[Tenshi no Ai]

Praying for you...

[Nate]

I will pray for you. Though, I feel I should give some advice. Feel free to ignore it if you wish, but.

Sexual attraction is not a sinful thing. It is outside of a marriage, there's no doubt. The problem is, if you snap this rubber band or whatever every time you feel sexual attraction, your brain might start to equate sexual attraction with pain.

The problem with THAT is, once you get married, that association will still remain, which can really mess up your marriage. Remember, sex in marriage is good, and if your pain association still remains, it's going to make things harder on you and your husband.

Again, if you feel this is something you must do, by all means do it. I'm just giving a friendly warning that psychologically this might not be the best route to take.

[Danderson]

I've been where you're at with this subject, but I must say that I am encouraged to see others try to resist lustful temptations...

Will be prayin...

[Okami]

Sexual attraction is not a sinful thing. It is outside of a marriage, there's no doubt. The problem is, if you snap this rubber band or whatever every time you feel sexual attraction, your brain might start to equate sexual attraction with pain.

I've thought about that a bit, to be honest. To be even more honest, the band isn't entirely for my...lustful nature, but more for my rather compulsive-addictive nature towards messing with acne, mainly of that on my face. That's why I was offline for 3 weeks, because I'd had everything taken away, and most of it still gone...and I don't get anything back (well, except for my laptop, obviously, and my ipod) until I can prove that I'm not controlled by that temptation anymore (so an extra throwout on prayer request, here :3) It's been hard to control two big-time temptations...

Now, I decided, as a way to give in more time to Christ, I am taking the Bible one book, one chapter, and one verse at a time, typing it down, and then expressing all of my views on that one verse...I haven't decided yet, but I might even do a full summary of the books when i get to the end of each one...
So far, I've done Genesis 1:1-2 and I've been working for two hours or more, and it's kept me extremely busy and active, and God-focused. So I'm praying that it too, will help me through everything, AND get a good self-taught education I mean, it's so much fun trying to contemplat what God was thinking as He molded the earth, set aside the water and darkness, created elements, created cells, created everything and just commanded it to work together...it's intriguing and inspiring! And.....I should get to bed xD; (It's past midnight!!)

[Hotarubi]

but more for my rather compulsive-addictive nature towards messing with acne, mainly of that on my face.

I had that quirk for years myself.
Good to know that I'm not the only one, lol.

[itch]

Wow. One verse at a time? Now that's discipline, I've started doing something similar to that. But two hours? I know I'm not your parent but, I'm proud of you anyway. You've really just encouraged me to try harder and take more time out at with the Bible. Thankyou.

[Mave]

I commend you for your determination and will pray for the Holy Spirit's help.

I'm not too crazy about that rubber band idea too. I don't use that.

My tactics include the following:

1) distracting myself with other activities online (i.e. chatting, emailing, reading manga online, playing games....) - works very well because it convinces me that that there's more to life than sexual gratification

2) leave my door open so that anyone who lives with me can have a quick glance of what I'm doing online (that really deters me, considering that my landlady has a 12 year old daughter who looks up to me)

3) take a break from the computer and do something else - convinces me that there is more to life than using the computer LOL

The point is to change your mindset. Sexual addiction seems so tempting because it makes you think that it's the ONLY pleasurable thing worth pursuing in your life. It is not. Sex is a great and beautiful gift from God but it's not the only gift He gave mankind.

I agree, there is nothing wrong with sexual attraction but it's best enjoyed according to the Creator's instructions - which includes the right/best partner and the right/best timing (e.g. after marriage). If you indulge in it in some other way, you're pretty much losing out in the best, which is what God intended.

[Tsuki]

YOU GO GIRL!!! Man, I've been reading my Bible lately, but now I'm going to soo journal it down!!! I'm almost done with Romans, but now I'm going to go back to the begining of Romans and really journal about it! You inspire me! And I think your desktop rocks!!! Keep at it! Don't regret it! I can already see you holding a Bible study in the future about temptation. And I'm not trying to flatter you. I'm praying for you.

[kaji]

Wow, great, practical advice Mave (three cookies for you).

Avoiding temptation and responding well to it is generally an active process. It sounds like you already recognize situations that prove to be tempting, perhaps avoiding those completely would be a good start.

I know that the internet can be unpredictable at times, but generally we know what to expect when we go to this page or that. I personally like to set restrictions on my computer with a password I don't know (something like: "ahsd;ofab ;oaeyiuf;oaelanboa eh;fa.lng ladfgha" usually does the trick). If I run into a page that might be tempting to go back to (despite my conscience warnings), I will add it to the "blocked" list in my browser (with the above password).
You can also get accountability software that will email the person of your choosing if you visit a site that is questionable.

Second, I would consider prayer. Active prayer against temptation can be a powerful weapon. But remember, even if your conscience convicts you about what you are doing, it is still up to you to respond.

I will be praying for you. ^_^

-kaji

[Okami]

Thanks everyone, seriously. That's what I love best 'bout websites like this, it does allow my mind to wander elsewhere from all the temptations ^_^ It's so much fun! And to those who I've encouraged, huzaah! God does work in mysterious ways x3!

*opens her document with her Bible stuff on it* And now back to Genesis: Chapter One; Verse Five XDDD!

Next year when we reopen our Bible Club at school I'll probably do a testimony on temptation, heaven knows just how hard it is to overcome (four or five years in the making for me *nods*) I've backslid once this week, and it was only a couple of minutes before I realised what I was doing (sometimes I go...unconsious sort of) But little by little I've been distracting myself with things like my DS and my Bible (God and pokemon ftw XDDD) And of course, doing other things on the computer...like those 20 new messages I have to check on dA @__@; geez, one of my best friends sent me 3 notes x_____X;

[rsnumber2]

Sorry for the late reply. I will be praying fo ryou as well.

[Okami]

Thanks everyone :3 Things are going better...kinda forgot my Bible journaling, going to open that up right now and continue...I've only backslid once this week <3 Yis!!! IMPROVEMENT!!!

[ADXC]

Well isn't that just wonderful. I just found the thread today but Im still glad that you were able to get over That stuff. I know its hard, but when I get tempted I just look for work to do, games to play, or just play the piano. Yep I like the book of Proverbs very much and I suggest you read it, because it has good information on you know That stuff. Yes the father addresses his son, but you can change it to address a daughter and just change the woman to a man he talks about in chapters 5-7(I believe its through 7.) Anyways I'll be praying for you and good luck!

[Okami]

Over the week of CIY I confessed to my youth group all these problems, and rededicated myself the next day (Thursday) and it's been 18 days since I did anything 'impure'. I went out and bought a purity ring to remind myself of the covenant I made. Pray that I don't fall back and I continue going strong! <3

[Okami]

Been 27 days...

It's simply amazing to me, that God has been working in such a way to keep me away from my problems.

[Kamille]

It is amazing, isn't it:)

I've been reading all the old messages and I think you're incredible. I thank God that you're such a zealous reader of the Bible, and at such a young age (I don't mean to offend you, just 16 was a while ago for me).

God bless you always.

[ChristianKitsune]

yaay! Praise God, Okami! ^_^ I am so happy that you are allowing God to help you with this!

Keep leaning on Him!

[CatR41103]

good job okami.

[Gabriel 9.0]

Great job Okami, still praying for you though. I know and understand how its really difficult to stay true to being abstinance before marriage.