Last updated on September 5, 2020
Question:
Hello.
I have a problem. When I am on Youtube, I am always tempted to click on very inappropriate videos. I can’t stop myself.
Can you help me?
Answer:
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (I Corinthians 10:13).
When you say “I can’t stop myself” you aren’t being honest with yourself. You could stop yourself. For example, if your parents were in the room at that time, you probably would have not a problem at all with not clicking on inappropriate videos. Therefore, the problem isn’t in your ability to stop, but in your desire.
No one can make you behave. You have to choose to want to behave. “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1).
There are ways to reduce temptation. The best is to avoid tempting situations. For example, YouTube has a safety mode. You can turn it on so that most inappropriate things don’t even appear to tempt you to click. Most find temptation stronger when they think no one is watching, so only do your Internet surfing out in the public areas of your house, where someone might peek over your shoulder at any moment.