Jesusgirlkk
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This seems to be something I am in a constant struggle with. I know it's wasting my time but I just cant seem to get over it. Is anyone else struggling with this? Do have any advice?
Addiction to electronics
- Thread starter Jesusgirlkk
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SpiritLedEd
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Let an old man who's been a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 20 years give you some advice. Not only are you wasting your time, you're hurting yourself spiritually. Thomas Nelson & Sons publishes a paperback NIV New Testament that weaves the basic 12-Step Addiction Recovery program around Scripture. Its called The Serenity Bible and its an excellent resource. Also, there are works by Stephen Arterburn (published by Zondervan) that interweave Scripture and the 12 Steps.
Spirit Led Ed (SLE)
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You need to devote time to just reading the bible and talking with God. If you set aside time and turn off your phone then you can spend some quality time reading God's word and praising the Lord
The Templar
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You just need to find the right balance. I'm a big PS3 gamer but I still spend time with God. If you think you should be doing something else then stop doing electronic activities.
SpiritLedEd
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As a recovering alcoholic, I need to point out that there's no such thing as finding the right balance in dealing with an addiction (and JesusGirl is addicted). As my AA friends say, "One is too few and a thousand is not enough".
The answer for JesusGirl is simple but challenging: #1 No more electronic games PERIOD! and #2 Professional Christian counseling.
Spirit Led Ed (SLE)
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I have had this experience before. I used to play Sims 3 nonstop,
I would eat frozen dinner meals at the computer and rush out of
the shower even though the game was paused and i wasnt really
missing anything. So what I did was called my friend elle and we spent
time together going to the park and talking about God. And the whole time
I was distracted and didnt think about Sims at all. And what I did
to teach myself not to spend so much time on it was not use my laptop
with the charger. So when it ran out of battery I had to do something else.
Now I dont need any of it. I use my laptop on the charger but I turn it
off and spend time with God. My friend Elle and I go to eachother's
house and have Bible study and prayer and we sing praises together.
With God, He can instruct, teach, and discipline you, and form you into
a better person, until soon, its a habit. Psalm 32: 8 Good habits can be
formed just like the bad ones
By the way, I dont even play Sims 3 anymore.
:wink:
Just remember, you must also help yourself and do your bit along with God. I hope my experience has helped
I would eat frozen dinner meals at the computer and rush out of
the shower even though the game was paused and i wasnt really
missing anything. So what I did was called my friend elle and we spent
time together going to the park and talking about God. And the whole time
I was distracted and didnt think about Sims at all. And what I did
to teach myself not to spend so much time on it was not use my laptop
with the charger. So when it ran out of battery I had to do something else.
Now I dont need any of it. I use my laptop on the charger but I turn it
off and spend time with God. My friend Elle and I go to eachother's
house and have Bible study and prayer and we sing praises together.
With God, He can instruct, teach, and discipline you, and form you into
a better person, until soon, its a habit. Psalm 32: 8 Good habits can be
formed just like the bad ones
By the way, I dont even play Sims 3 anymore.:wink:
Just remember, you must also help yourself and do your bit along with God. I hope my experience has helped
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The Templar
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I've gone too deep however therefore, I can only quit if I was forced to by torture (and I don't think God does that).
But dont you think God can do anything Templar? Matthew 19:26
It might be impossible for you, but for God, He can do anything.
The Templar
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Still, I don't see why I have to completely quit gaming. I mean most Christians watch T.V. which is similar. Although I must say that I am fond of playing violent games and all my games has somebody die or else I wouldn't play it.
Well sure, a lot of people will play video games for some kind
of entertainment, but then the question will it build you up or just
entertain you comes up. Will the video game build up your love for God, knowledge of Him, and ministry to others? 1Corinthians 10:23-24 Romans 14:19. We should choose uplifting activities, praiseworthy projects, or something that helps another. We shouldnt waste the freedom we have
on things that dont do anyone else good. Galatians 5:13-17
of entertainment, but then the question will it build you up or just
entertain you comes up. Will the video game build up your love for God, knowledge of Him, and ministry to others? 1Corinthians 10:23-24 Romans 14:19. We should choose uplifting activities, praiseworthy projects, or something that helps another. We shouldnt waste the freedom we have
on things that dont do anyone else good. Galatians 5:13-17
SpiritLedEd
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God doesn't have to supply the punishment. Eventually the addiction will supply it.
SLE
Shalom! I've had successes and failures in my fair share of computer addictions also, when I was still an unbeliever, starting at the age of 6, I've been exposed to computer games and was an addict the moment I held a Family Computer controller. From thereon, I was playing around 2-4 hours a day on weekdays and 6-12 hours on weekends. So around 30+ average hours a week (From the age of 6 up to the age of 17).
When Christ came into my life, I still do play but not that much. But when I start playing, even for a bit, that's when the struggle begins, I just can't seem to detach myself from it when I start playing to the point my work and/or studies begin to suffer since I can't concentrate unless I've played a game or two.
Right now, I'm still recovering from the losses(wasted time) and by God's grace I declare I will overcome this. I truly believe God values entertainment and rest for his children, God is not killjoy. He even designed the Sabbath to show the value of resting, but there's a reason it was only practiced ONCE a week. It shows that there must be a balance and if it comes to the point of addiction, SACRIFICES must be made in order to help you, usually hard, but discipline goes a long way.
Right now, God is disciplining me, and I'll share:
1) The cure of a virus is not to feed it (Abstaining from playing):
A little compromise is still a compromise!
Many times, I've tried to limit playing but every time I play, it seems impossible to limit it so I believe it is God's desire for me to stop playing and focus on my theological studies and on practicing my instrument. So when I've made little compromises (playing a game or two despite telling myself not to play), it is when the habit of playing non-stop comes back again.
Although God deals with us differently, I believe it is His desire for me not to make computer games as my avenue of stress relief.
2) Focus on things of God rather than things of men (Col. 3:2)
Busy yourself with things that has eternal value!
It's hard to stop doing something when you keep on thinking about it, so when I busy myself on doing my assignments or project first despite the deadline being far away, I find myself being very productive. Also, by focusing my energy on practicing playing the piano, reading the Bible and learning Greek I realize all the more the time being wasted playing the computer.
I suggest busy yourself with this:
a) Reading the Bible
b) Research on part/s you don't understand in the Bible
c) Find an instrument you can learn to play
d) Spend time with people you can learn from
e) Focus your energy on a ministry
3) Rely on His strength (2 Cor 12:9)
The more I rely on myself, the more I fail but when I rely on Him, I realize His grace is enough for me.
Draw strength from the right source:
a. Praying to God
b. Reading His Word
4) Be transparent and admit you need help
The moment we admit it is our weakness, the moment we take the first step to recovery.
By being transparent, we open our lives to others and seeking guidance and help. So, it's essentially important when we are accountable to someone so that we will be guided accordingly, sometimes, pressure is the best kind of motivation in a given situation. Find an accountability partner, preferably someone who had successes in this area and is rooted in God's Word.
We have only one life to spare so make use of it in the right way, with the right balance and the right motive.
I pray may you be blessed and find success in overcoming this difficult problem, I will be praying for you. Shalom :wink:
When Christ came into my life, I still do play but not that much. But when I start playing, even for a bit, that's when the struggle begins, I just can't seem to detach myself from it when I start playing to the point my work and/or studies begin to suffer since I can't concentrate unless I've played a game or two.
Right now, I'm still recovering from the losses(wasted time) and by God's grace I declare I will overcome this. I truly believe God values entertainment and rest for his children, God is not killjoy. He even designed the Sabbath to show the value of resting, but there's a reason it was only practiced ONCE a week. It shows that there must be a balance and if it comes to the point of addiction, SACRIFICES must be made in order to help you, usually hard, but discipline goes a long way.
Right now, God is disciplining me, and I'll share:
1) The cure of a virus is not to feed it (Abstaining from playing):
A little compromise is still a compromise!
Many times, I've tried to limit playing but every time I play, it seems impossible to limit it so I believe it is God's desire for me to stop playing and focus on my theological studies and on practicing my instrument. So when I've made little compromises (playing a game or two despite telling myself not to play), it is when the habit of playing non-stop comes back again.
Although God deals with us differently, I believe it is His desire for me not to make computer games as my avenue of stress relief.
2) Focus on things of God rather than things of men (Col. 3:2)
Busy yourself with things that has eternal value!
It's hard to stop doing something when you keep on thinking about it, so when I busy myself on doing my assignments or project first despite the deadline being far away, I find myself being very productive. Also, by focusing my energy on practicing playing the piano, reading the Bible and learning Greek I realize all the more the time being wasted playing the computer.
I suggest busy yourself with this:
a) Reading the Bible
b) Research on part/s you don't understand in the Bible
c) Find an instrument you can learn to play
d) Spend time with people you can learn from
e) Focus your energy on a ministry
3) Rely on His strength (2 Cor 12:9)
The more I rely on myself, the more I fail but when I rely on Him, I realize His grace is enough for me.
Draw strength from the right source:
a. Praying to God
b. Reading His Word
4) Be transparent and admit you need help
The moment we admit it is our weakness, the moment we take the first step to recovery.
By being transparent, we open our lives to others and seeking guidance and help. So, it's essentially important when we are accountable to someone so that we will be guided accordingly, sometimes, pressure is the best kind of motivation in a given situation. Find an accountability partner, preferably someone who had successes in this area and is rooted in God's Word.
We have only one life to spare so make use of it in the right way, with the right balance and the right motive.
I pray may you be blessed and find success in overcoming this difficult problem, I will be praying for you. Shalom :wink:
InProgression
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- Joined
- Jul 29, 2010
- Messages
- 14
Addictions
Every addiction is the same, you feel a need to act upon something that is ungodly, like porn. I have learned that if you surround yourself with the word and familiarize yourself with what God says about addictions, you will want to give in to your addiction less. I suffer from impure thoughts and when I read the word, I remember verses that will help me when I am up against temptation like (Thes 4:3)
Every addiction is the same, you feel a need to act upon something that is ungodly, like porn. I have learned that if you surround yourself with the word and familiarize yourself with what God says about addictions, you will want to give in to your addiction less. I suffer from impure thoughts and when I read the word, I remember verses that will help me when I am up against temptation like (Thes 4:3)
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#1Evangelist
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- Aug 1, 2010
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- 7
You're not addicted to electronics
His thoughts must become our thoughts,- we will ultimately move in the direction of our most dominate thought. (Proverbs 23:7) God cannot use a person that is not yielded to His way.
You're not addicted to electronics. You're addicted to YOUR OWN WAY. And sooner or later you're going to have to choose God's way or your own way. Either follow God's way with all your heart or your own way with all your heart. If you're stuck in the middle, you're making devout Christians look weak and you're frankly wasting your time following part of what he says.
His thoughts must become our thoughts,- we will ultimately move in the direction of our most dominate thought. (Proverbs 23:7) God cannot use a person that is not yielded to His way.
You're not addicted to electronics. You're addicted to YOUR OWN WAY. And sooner or later you're going to have to choose God's way or your own way. Either follow God's way with all your heart or your own way with all your heart. If you're stuck in the middle, you're making devout Christians look weak and you're frankly wasting your time following part of what he says.
