Overcoming YouTube Addiction: Insights from Scripture

Question: 

How Do I Get Over My YouTube Addiction?

Recognizing the Addiction

Hey, guys. We have a question here: “How can I get over a YouTube addiction?”

Great question. It’s not just related to YouTube, but maybe social media and video games. There are so many things that we can get obsessed with, fixated on, and addicted to that as you start it, maybe it’s not something sinful or wrong, but it starts to totally consume your life. It’s a really good thing to address and talk about.

Biblical Insight: 1 Corinthians 6:12

I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT. In this section, Paul discusses avoiding sin and addiction. He specifically discusses sexual sin, but I think this can apply to many things and our addictive personalities that we might have to wrestle with.

“You say I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything is good for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything.” 

Freedom and Responsibility

In another translation, Paul would say, I don’t want to come under the power of something else. The idea here is that YouTube, in and of itself, might not be wrong or sinful, depending on the content you’re watching. And so, we have the freedom and the liberty to use it and to enjoy it. But at the same time, we see here Paul says we’re allowed to do anything, we have the freedom to do some of these things, but the reminder is that not everything is good for you. 

So, I think this is a really good spot to just remember as you think about addiction to YouTube, social media, whatever it might be. Not everything is good for you. It can really suck you in for hours and just take you to a place where it truly becomes an addiction. 

The idea of a believer is that we don’t want to come under the power of anything other than the Holy Spirit. We want the Holy Spirit to be the thing that controls our lives and has power over them.

Realigning Focus: 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

So, how do we break free from addiction? Well, we want to get our minds back on Jesus Christ. Later, in 2 Corinthians, Paul says: 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

You might think, “Okay, I want to get back on YouTube.” 

No, you don’t want that thought to take you down that direction, but you want to take that thought and be like, “Lord, is this the wisest thing I should be doing right now?” And acknowledging the Lord and bringing the Lord into these decisions that you’re making.

Shedding Weight: Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Another idea that comes from Hebrews Chapter 12:1 NLT, where the author of Hebrews tells us:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

This idea, as we’re running a race, we don’t want to run with extra weight that slows us down. So, something like YouTube or an addiction like that is just going to slow you down in your walk with the Lord, in your relationships with other people, in your responsibilities, in school, in life, in your job, and whatever you have. You want to be really aware of laying those things aside.

Seeking Accountability

How do we do this? Bring people into your life that you trust and that you love, maybe a pastor, a parent, or someone like that, where you’re just open and honest about your struggles with addiction. 

It’s good to have some accountability in your life for someone to ask you regularly, “Hey, how are you doing in this area?” Open up to someone and bring it to the light. That’s a practical way.

Establishing Boundaries

Another practical thing is that I would imagine that you’re probably addicted to YouTube on your phone, right? So, practice some healthy habits with that. Maybe you want to leave your phone out in the living room, the kitchen, downstairs, or wherever when the evening’s wrapping up. 

Put some limits on yourself, such as, “Hey, you’re turning your phone off at 8 p.m.,” or, for example, “every day.” And that’s going to put some limits on that. 

Jesus would even say, “Hey,” if something’s stumbling us that much, He uses the example of our hand. He’s like, “Cut off your hand or pluck out your eye,” right? I’m not speaking of physical harm to yourself, but this idea of, what is the thing that’s causing you to stumble? We need to cut it out of our lives. 

So, if it’s something that you really can’t cut out of your life, I would suggest going extreme and getting a flip phone. Or just getting rid of your phone for a season. That can be hard and inconvenient, but it’s worth it for your spiritual life.

Dependence on God’s Power: Zechariah 4:6

So, just some practical things, but coming back to this principle, “Hey, you’re allowed to do things.” We have freedom in the Lord, but remember, not everything is good for you. And the Lord has something better for you than just being stuck in addiction.

He wants to give you the strength and the power to break free. The final thought here is that you can’t do it on your own, right? 

The Bible tells in Zechariah 4:6 NLT: 

“Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

The spirit of God needs to be the thing that helps you and gives you strength to overcome this. Submit your life to Him and ask the spirit to help fill your life and to strengthen you, to keep your eyes on Him. And by His Spirit, He can bring victory in your life.

Please let me know if you have more questions about this. It would be great to have a deeper dialogue. I hope that helps.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/overcoming-youtube-addiction-insights-from-scripture/

Navigating Faith: Belief in God When Certainty is Elusive

Question: 

How can you believe in God if you aren’t 100% sure he exists?

Answer: 

What a fantastic question! It’s understandable that we may not always perceive God’s presence or hear Him as clearly as we’d like. But how can we be completely certain? Whether through spoken words or inner feelings, this is a common query, and I commend your courage in asking it.

So, here’s one of the ways that I would answer this question, and I think we have to start with the word of God because it’s by faith. I like to think about how we know God exists. It’s this question of origin. Can anything be self-existing and self-sustaining unless it is in itself supreme and outside of the power of all existence? 

What I mean by that is that there has to be something supreme over time, space, and matter that can’t be bound to those limitations. And so, for the sake of this question, that’s this whole concept of who or what God is. It has to be a supreme being who is outside the confines of natural law and order.

That’s where faith comes in. This faith, this trust, and belief in who God is. We have this Bible, or what I like to refer to as the Word of God. And here’s what it says in Hebrews Chapter 11:1 NLT:

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. It’s the evidence of things we cannot see.” 

And then, it goes on here in Verse 3:

“By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command and that we now see, and what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” 

This depiction of faith echoes the biblical truth of 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT: 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Despite our desire for clear understanding, God’s ways surpass our own. His chosen method of revealing Himself involves faith, as His thoughts and ways are beyond our comprehension. This necessitates trusting in Him, even when we cannot fully perceive or comprehend His actions.

In Hebrews 11:6 NLT, it tells us: 

“It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

In our current relationship with God, He has intentionally chosen not to reveal Himself in a tangible, physical sense. We cannot physically see or touch Him nor have regular audible conversations with Him in a back-and-forth dialogue. This aspect of our relationship with God emphasizes the necessity of faith and trust in His unseen presence and guidance.

But by faith, I see through creation that He exists. By faith, I see the work of His hand upon my life through surrender to Jesus Christ and seeing even signs and miracles that are evidence of this. And those are the reality of what we believe, right? 

So, faith is not blind in the sense that we’re walking in blind faith. There is this concept of a reality we see of God and who He is. It’s especially important to have a full understanding of the Word of God.

And so, my challenge to you is the challenge I received when I didn’t fully believe in God. I had someone give me a Bible with this phrase written in there. They said, “You’ll never know what’s true until you read and judge for yourself.” 

And that, personally, is what got me reading the Bible. And I can tell you, the more I read, the more I understood, and the more I believed, especially after I surrendered my heart to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And when you do that, in Matthew 6:33 NLT, Jesus says: 

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All these other things will be added to you.” 

You can find confidence in knowing that God is exactly who He reveals Himself to be through Scripture. 

May God bless you, and thank you for posing such an insightful question.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/navigating-faith-belief-in-god-when-certainty-is-elusive/

Can You Lose Salvation?

Question: 

What do you do when you feel like your salvation can get taken away, and can it get taken away?

Answer: 

Today, we’re addressing a crucial question: Can one lose their salvation? This question probes deep into the core of our faith and warrants careful consideration. Salvation, for a Christian, isn’t merely about a one-time prayer or public declaration; it’s about surrendering to Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord, and entrusting Him with our lives. It’s about being transformed into a new creation through Him.

Defining Salvation

Firstly, let’s clarify what salvation means for a believer. It’s not merely a one-time event like saying a prayer or making a public declaration. True salvation involves surrendering your life to Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord, believing in His resurrection, and entrusting Him to cleanse you of your sins. It’s about receiving Jesus and the Holy Spirit into your life, becoming a new creation in Christ.

Biblical Foundation of Salvation

Let’s examine some key scriptures that shed light on the nature of salvation and what it entails:

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: 

• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

This verse emphasizes the transformation that occurs when we accept Jesus, becoming entirely new creations.

1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV: 

• “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 

Here, the concept of redemption through Christ’s sacrifice is highlighted, emphasizing the irrevocable nature of our salvation.

Romans 5:1 NIV: 

• “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Justification through faith in Jesus means being declared righteous before God, a status that cannot be undone.

John 3:16 NIV: 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

This famous verse assures believers of the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

But what if we feel like salvation is slipping away? The key is to return to God in repentance, reaffirming our commitment to Him. And in moments of doubt, we can cling to the unshakeable promises of Scripture:

Assurance of Salvation:

In light of these scriptures, it’s evident that salvation is not a fleeting gift that can be lost. Here are some assurances for believers:

God’s Unwavering Love: Romans 8:38-39 NIV:

•  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

God’s love for us is constant and unshakeable.

Security in Christ: John 10:28 NIV: 

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” 

Jesus assures us that no one can snatch us away from Him or the Father’s hand, guaranteeing the security of our salvation.

Embracing the Unshakable Assurance of Salvation

While doubts may arise, we can find assurance in the unchanging promises of God. Salvation is a gift of grace that cannot be revoked or lost. Let’s hold firmly to our faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that our eternal security rests in Him alone.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/can-you-lose-salvation/

Understanding the Differences: Christians vs. Catholics

Question: 

What’s the difference between Christians and Catholics?

Answer: 

I love the way young minds are spinning, seeing the world we live in and then trying to gauge what we hear from a biblical worldview, even within a church like ours. So, let’s break down some of the key distinctions between Catholics and Christians.

We have to go back to church history. I’ll summarize this as quickly and concisely as possible, but when you go back into church history, when you read the book of Acts 2:1-4 NLT, you’ll see that the early church began and had this beginning where they were gathered together. 

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”

It says that they were of one mind and of one accord, and they would have these gatherings. But then, of course, the church continued to multiply and spread. It’s exactly what Jesus intended, to go from Jerusalem to Judea’s Samaria, that surrounding region, into the uttermost parts of the earth.

But what has happened over time is, and, unfortunately, what tends to happen is that we take something that starts with the right foundation, but then we develop man-made traditions and ideas. And so, Catholicism, when you think of the word in general, Catholicism is actually not a negative word, or a bad word, or an ultimate false sect or religion, but “Catholicism” simply means universal. 

The idea of universality is correct, and we are one church. When I say “one church,” like anybody who is a true believer in Jesus Christ, is part of the church. That is exactly what the word “catholic” means. So, probably to distinguish your question is more in line with the manmade religion known as Roman Catholicism.

You can think of a man by the name of Martin Luther, who was a Catholic priest who realized that a lot of the traditions that came from the Roman Catholic Church in about the 1500s, he recognized that a lot of those were actually contrary to what the Bible taught. 

Martin Luther is most well-known for hanging up the 95 Theses on the door of the church. In these 95 Theses, he shares his struggle with the contradictions he sees in the man-made religion of Roman Catholicism versus what the Bible teaches. This was what launched what’s known as a Protestant movement.

Although Calvary Church is considered non-denominational, where we don’t hold to any denomination, we do find ourselves in the sense that we would consider ourselves Protestant, which simply means we protest against some of the man-made ideologies that the Roman Catholic Church has developed. 

One of the key issues is praying to saints because the Bible tells us that there is one God and one mediator between God and man, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. So, praying to Mary or praying a tradition like praying the rosary, where Jesus said, “Don’t think we will be heard by our vain repetitions.” 

So those are a couple of examples, but let me also be clear: we don’t take this hardcore stance against the Roman Catholics or against people who say they’re Catholic. We have a lot of similarities, too. I think most Catholics would fully subscribe to the essentials of the faith that they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, they believe that He died for our sins, that He was buried and rose again. And the Bible couldn’t be more clear that if you confess the Lord Jesus Christ with your mouth and believe in your heart, He’s been raised from the grave, you shall be saved.

There are many problems within the Roman Catholic Church. I would strongly caution you from attending mass or participating in those services. But what I will tell you is this: There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus. And I believe that many Catholics, maybe not understanding, still have that foundation, and that is the foundation that gets us to heaven.

Let me read this verse to you. It’s about what Jesus prayed over his disciples and even over future disciples. John Chapter 17:20-21 NLT, Jesus says:

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

That’s the idea. Let’s not look for things that divide but look for things that unify, and that’s the very prayer of Jesus. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/understanding-the-differences-christians-vs-catholics/

Dating Non-Believers: A Wise Choice for Christians?

Question:

Can I date a non-Christian or non-believer? Calvary Youth Apologetics 

Answer: 

It seems like this question is coming from a believer, a disciple of Jesus, who wants to follow Him. The question is, “Can I date someone who is not a believer, who is not a Christian?” My answer would be no, as it’s not a wise decision and goes against what God’s Word teaches us.

There are a couple of things I want you guys to look at. 

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NLT says: 

“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil, and how can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” 

It’s evident here, as Paul writes this inspired by the Holy Spirit, that he’s emphasizing the challenge of being in a partnership or relationship with a non-believer. Considering this in your own life, why would you want to date someone who is not a believer?

You might have feelings and attraction towards that person, and there may be great qualities about them. However, if Jesus is truly the Lord of your life and the center of your life, and if you desire to follow Him and center your life around Him, why would you want to enter into a close and intimate relationship with someone who doesn’t share those same values or prioritize the things of the Lord?

And so, as Paul would say, he just asks these questions. “What harmony can there be between a Christ and the devil, and how can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” 

Even in a dating relationship, the principle of being unequally yoked applies. Just as it’s unwise to enter into a marriage with a non-believer, the same applies to dating. A dating relationship is special and involves a closer connection than other types of relationships. You want to be heading in the same direction as your partner. If they are headed toward worldly pursuits rather than toward Christ, their life will likely follow that direction, too. It’s not wise, doesn’t honor the Lord, and sets you up for potential failure, heartache, and pain.

Another verse I’d like to share is from Amos 3 NLT in the Old Testament. Amos, a prophet, poses a simple yet profound question that’s worth pondering as you consider who you want to date and the relationships you want to pursue.

 “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” 

So, think about the direction of your life. Is your life headed in the direction of growing in the Lord, serving the Lord, living for the Lord, laying your life down for the Lord? If your life is directed towards Christ, the person you’re dating or pursuing a relationship with must also be headed in the same direction. Otherwise, how can you really walk together? How can you really have a relationship? 

I hope that answers your question. How can you walk together without agreeing on a direction? And if you don’t agree on who Jesus Christ is in your life, how can there be a relationship?

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/dating-non-believers-a-wise-choice-for-christians/