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/

The Voice of the Lord: How Do We Know When He is Speaking to Us?

Question: 

How do we know when the Lord is talking to us?

Answer: 

This is a great question because for anyone who has a relationship with God, and Jesus, we really desire to hear and understand his voice. 

I want to start with a reading from Psalm 29:4 NLT, which says: 

“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.”

One of the first things that I would share is that you want to remember that God’s voice is powerful and majestic. Sometimes, when we are struggling, we wonder, “Is God speaking to me, or is He not?” Just remember that the voice of the Lord is powerful. 

I’m going to give you a few things to consider.

As I’ve taught a Bible study on this, I’m going to distill this down to some concise thoughts, but I want you to consider some components of the different ways that God speaks to us because God doesn’t speak in only one way.

I’ll start with the first one, audibly. 

God can and does speak, and we see throughout the Bible that he has spoken to people in a loud, audible voice, but that’s not the only way He speaks. We see that with Moses. I think it’s in Exodus 33 NLT, where Moses is having this conversation with God and hearing the audible voice of God. 

“The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.”

But let’s consider some other ways God speaks.

Another way that God speaks to us is in Romans 1:20 NLT.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

We get a reference that God speaks to us through creation. Creation itself, as we go out and look at nature or when we go and look at the mirror, as you and I are a creation of God, allows us to see the creative handiwork of God Himself. And so, God can speak to us through creation.

God can speak to us through a sign or an event. 

I would direct you to the Book of Judges, 6:36-40 NLT:

“Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” 38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.

Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.”

We get this reference to a man named Gideon, who was seeking confirmation from God, and he did so through a sign. He would lay out his fleece and say, “God, if this is from you, let the fleece be dry and the ground be damp.” 

And it happened as it was. Then he wanted further confirmation and asked the reverse of that: that the fleece would be damp, but the ground around would be dry. God gave him the confirmation through a sign. 

I think that’s an important distinction, too. Sometimes, we feel like we’re hearing from God, and we just need confirmation. And so, creation can do that, and a sign or an event can do that.

Another way that God can speak is through a messenger or literally through people. 

In the Book of 1 Corinthians, 12:8 NLT:

“To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.” 

In this reference, God uses people to operate in spiritual gifts, somebody can come with a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom, and you can receive that as being directly from the Lord. 

Even as an expression from a believer in Jesus Christ who has the spirit of God dwelling in them, they can absolutely speak a word on behalf of God as an exercising of a spiritual gift. And so, God can speak to us through a messenger.

God can speak through a vision or a dream. 

In Acts Chapter 16:9-10 NLT, Paul was given a vision of where to go next in the ministry venture, even after receiving a closed door, what we call a closed door, he was prevented from going in one direction, but God gave him a vision to go another way.

“That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.”

And so, you can hear from God through a vision.

We can also hear the voice of God through our very conscience. 

This is referred to with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13: 

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah heard the still, small voice of God. This is similar to the audible voice, which is that loud, powerful, tangible voice you can hear right now, but the still, small voice is kind of like that inner conscience or that still, small voice of God, who would almost be that whisper or that prompting and inclination that you get.

But the key way that God speaks to us is through the Bible. Through the written Word of God. 

The way that I can know for sure that this is God because he will never contradict himself is through the Word. 

I’ll share one more thing with you from 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT, and listen to what it says here: 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

So, the primary way to know God is talking to you is by prayerfully reading God’s word. I hope that helps. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/the-voice-of-the-lord-how-do-we-know-when-he-is-speaking-to-us/

Navigating Between Lust and Innocence in Relationships

Question: So, how do you know the difference between going through with lust or just something innocent? Like if you’re checking someone out and you decide to pursue them, how do you know it’s not a sexual thing but something just fine?

Answer: 

We received a question about understanding the difference between acting out of lust or innocence in relationships. Essentially, it’s about discerning whether our attraction to someone stems from pure motives or sinful desires. It’s an important question that prompts us to examine our hearts and intentions, especially considering the Bible’s call to live in purity and holiness. Let’s dive into this topic and explore how we can ensure our actions align with God’s standards.

“Lust” is often defined as an overwhelming desire or craving, particularly in the context of sexual desires. It’s something that can consume our hearts and minds, leading to sinful actions. This intense craving is not the direction the Lord has called us to follow.

Lust focuses on pleasing oneself. It’s a very selfish thing. It often leads to actions without regard for consequences, and it’s just about fulfilling one’s desires and needs. So, looking at what the Bible says about it, I think lust, in a lot of ways, has something to do with possession, greed, and really unchecked desires of the heart. And we know that’s not from the Lord.

How do we guard ourselves against this overwhelming desire or craving in our hearts? I’m thinking about this because it can be challenging to navigate. God has given us desires in our humanity, right? He’s given us desires of food and water, comfort and shelter, and then even sexual desires. 

These are things that have been created by the Lord for us, but we’re told that we should give no provision to our flesh. Those are the things that should not control us, and they are not our main motivations in life. 

As believers, how do we walk in the spirit? By allowing the spirit to control the desires of our flesh and using those things in an honoring way to the Lord. And so, how do we know the difference? As this question asks, how do we know if it’s sinful lust or innocent?

Consider the story from Genesis 13, where Lot and his uncle Abram part ways, choosing land for themselves. Lot’s actions in this story illustrate a pursuit driven by selfish desires, which aligns with the definition of lust we discussed earlier. There’s a lesson for us to learn from Lot’s example.

In Genesis 13:10-12 NLT, it says: 

“Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.”

There are a couple of keywords about what Lot was doing here. Number one, “He lifted his eyes, and he saw.” 

So, he saw something that he liked, and then he started to pursue it. It says that he chose for himself what he saw. It shows for himself what he liked, and he went all in after that. And so, I think that that’s where lust starts. 

In the context of this question, if you see someone that you’re attracted to and you respond like Lot where you’re just looking, you’re lifting your eyes, you’re choosing for yourself, you’re pursuing something for yourself, I think that that would be lust and that would not be an innocent motive, right? 

And then, Lot’s deliberate choice to go to that spot, to sit in that spot—he says he’d dwell there—and he pitched his tent. Everything he was choosing was going in that direction for what he liked and wanted for himself. He was not considering Abram, his uncle, at all, but it was all about what Lot wanted, what felt good. I think this is a great picture of what lust is.

Again, putting that back into the context of your question and the things that you might be walking through, specifically in just being attracted to the opposite sex or someone else, it’s this idea of, “Is it lust?” 

Think through that in your own heart: “Is this just something that I look at, that I like, and that I want, and think you’re just self-absorbed?” That would definitely be a sinful action. Jesus has called us to put others above ourselves, so we want to do so.

So, if you find yourself pursuing a relationship solely because it satisfies your own desires or feels good for yourself, it’s important to recognize that this self-centered approach mirrors Lot’s actions in Genesis 13. Instead, strive to prioritize the other person’s well-being and honor the Lord in your choices. Avoid following in Lot’s footsteps by making decisions that solely benefit you, and instead, seek to honor the Lord in all your relationships.

In 1 John 2:15-17 NIV, it’s highlighted that the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are tools the enemy uses to lead us astray. 

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

We must be cautious about what we focus on and pursue, as these can lead to spiritual decay and death. I hope this sheds some light on your question.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/navigating-between-lust-and-innocence-in-relationships/