Leaving Materialism

[Always Asking]

Over a period of perhaps a year or two, I've been blessed enough to feel like my will is almost synced with God's. This feeling has come and gone, but I have come to discover that the main reason I cannot keep it synced is because of materialism.

It isn't even limited to real life. Being a teenager, I'm an avid video game fan. In many video games (for the most part RPGs), it is one of the main objectives to get or earn money/items/etc. Though this is virtual, it's still completely logical to view this as materialism. I have even gone out of the way to buy a new computer/keyboard for the sole purpose of playing video games with more advanced graphics. (Also materialism)

When I get to the point where I realize materialism is distancing me from God and I plan to take action, the same conclusion always hits. First of all, I look at the pros. If I give up all materialism, then there is almost NOTHING in the way between God and I. Everything becomes simpler. Not worrying about getting worldly possessions gives me PLENTY of opportunities to point out the other things distancing me from God as well as become closer to him daily.

Now the cons. Giving up all materialism means most ALL of my hobbies will no longer be part of my schedule. Now it may be hard, but most likely I can find other things that are healthier spiritually to fill my schedule with. The second biggest problem is that friends that I've come to know over the internet will be lost. I have a huge problem dealing with this.

But the MOST important problem when I look at giving up materialism is this: In my entire personal life, I have seen maybe 2 people even begin to scratch the surface of dealing with materialism. When I think of this, it is overwhelming to even attempt to deal with it myself. Failure is almost guaranteed, and so the only logical thing for me to do is not even try in the first place.

I guess the main thing I'm leading up to here is to ask how to deal with materialism. If I am almost surely to fail, if friendships are on the line, if the idea of having almost nothing to do is just too overwhelming, what consoling advice could possibly suffice and get me started on the road to leaving materialism behind?

Thanks in advance, and good luck with helping me.

~ Bryce

 

[ForHisGlory2008]

Look for balance...there is nothing wrong with enjoying the internet or computer games or even buying things to support that hobby. Everyone needs down time. As long as you are not neglecting the things of God, it's not a problem.

 

[drich0150]

There isn't a "Thou shalt take a vow of poverty" in scripture.. Like Forhisglory, said: Look for balance. even if you were to take and accomplish a vow of poverty; yes the opportunity to be closer to God is there, but it's no Guarantee you will use that opportunity. If you don't use it now when distracted with recreational activities, how can you hope to use the opportunity to get closer to God when your distracted with basic survival?

Again learn Balance in what ever you do. A great Karate Master once said: If Balance good, Karate Good, If Balance Bad, Then better if never born...

Same thing with your faith. If you can learn to balance you carnal desires with your spiritual needs, Your Relationship with God is Good. If Spiritual/Carnal Balance bad, then better if never born...

 

[Elijah2]

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Over a period of perhaps a year or two, I've been blessed enough to feel like my will is almost synced with God's. This feeling has come and gone, but I have come to discover that the main reason I cannot keep it synced is because of materialism.
Mate, I can understand where you are coming from, because of your age, and materialism as you are using it tells me that you’ve been dabbling in things that you shouldn’t be dabbling in, and has allowed Satan, and his forces to come into your life through your activity.

It isn't even limited to real life. Being a teenager, I'm an avid video game fan. In many video games (for the most part RPGs), it is one of the main objectives to get or earn money/items/etc. Though this is virtual, it's still completely logical to view this as materialism. I have even gone out of the way to buy a new computer/keyboard for the sole purpose of playing video games with more advanced graphics. (Also materialism)
Mate in my long life, you are not the only one who has shared this, and many of those who became OBSESSED in video games never realised that such practices do open the doorway into your “house” for demonic activity.

Now, I know there will be others who will answer on this forum, who will bag any such statement that I make, and I will say that anyone who rejects spiritual knowledge and understanding of the supernatural realm will perish.

When I get to the point where I realize materialism is distancing me from God and I plan to take action, the same conclusion always hits.
Materialism doesn’t distant you from our Lord Jesus Christ, Satan and his forces do, who thrive on those who are actively involved with video games that are the “snare of the fowler”.

I know what I am talking about, because I’ve hear it all before, and that is why I am in the healing and deliverance ministry, that is, those who want to see those captives set free from the powers of darkness.

First of all, I look at the pros. If I give up all materialism, then there is almost NOTHING in the way between God and I. Everything becomes simpler. Not worrying about getting worldly possessions gives me PLENTY of opportunities to point out the other things distancing me from God as well as become closer to him daily.
It’s not that simple, and if anyone thinks that it’s that simple, then they don’t know what they are talking about. But, I can assure that Satan and his forces and his children love people who say it’s harmless, because it ISN’T!


Now the cons. Giving up all materialism means most ALL of my hobbies will no longer be part of my schedule.
It’s the same as giving up alcohol and drugs.

Now it may be hard, but most likely I can find other things that are healthier spiritually to fill my schedule with. The second biggest problem is that friends that I've come to know over the internet will be lost. I have a huge problem dealing with this.
Well, who do you want to be?

But the MOST important problem when I look at giving up materialism is this: In my entire personal life, I have seen maybe 2 people even begin to scratch the surface of dealing with materialism. When I think of this, it is overwhelming to even attempt to deal with it myself. Failure is almost guaranteed, and so the only logical thing for me to do is not even try in the first place.
Mate, if you have a problem, then you need to be sent free from captivity through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I guess the main thing I'm leading up to here is to ask how to deal with materialism.
Simple, tell Satan and his forces to get in Jesus’ Name.

If I am almost surely to fail,
Yep, if you want it to fail, then it will fail, because you have already spoken that word just now.

if friendships are on the line, if the idea of having almost nothing to do is just too overwhelming, what consoling advice could possibly suffice and get me started on the road to leaving materialism behind?
Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanks in advance, and good luck with helping me.

Be blessed in Jesus’ Name.

 

[Elijah2]

Look for balance...there is nothing wrong with enjoying the internet or computer games or even buying things to support that hobby. Everyone needs down time. As long as you are not neglecting the things of God, it's not a problem.

You need to be very wary of giving such advice if you haven't counselled those who have been involved in such past time, particularly if you don't know the real situation on the sites that are visited, believing them to be harmless.

There are many testimonies of the traps of Satan, his forces, and his children through such past time activity, and it's not harmless.

Galatians 6:
Bear and Share the Burdens

“1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.”

Be Generous and Do Good

“6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.