If you have any question (or prayer requests) during the week of Youth Camp, please feel free to ask them below, we will try to answer them to the best of our abilities and post them below. This form is 100% anonymous. We also are going to be keeping this site running all year, if you have any questions or prayer requests during the year, feel free to ask them here. We will always pray for you or try to answer your questions whenever you have them!
During the year we will post the answer on the bottom of this page or If you want us to email you back the answer privately, just add your email address in the message, since the form doesn't collect emails.
Any answers that come in during the year will be posted below
How Do You Deal With Lust?
This is an important question, and it can be addressed from two perspectives: the mental battle against lust and the physical struggles associated with it. Let’s tackle the mental aspect first and then move on to the physical.
Lust is a sin—plain and simple. Matthew 5:27–28 makes that clear. The world might downplay it, saying things like, "I'm just looking," or even claiming it’s healthy. But Matthew 5:29–30 urges us to deal with sin quickly and decisively, likening it to cutting out an eye if it causes you to stumble. While this isn't meant to be taken literally, it does emphasize the seriousness of taking proactive steps to avoid sin.
If your struggle is primarily mental and hasn’t led to actions like engaging with pornography or sexually explicit content, the best advice is to avoid those things entirely. Don’t start now.
Here’s a practical suggestion: limit or get rid of social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Movies, TV Shows, Music are filled with provocative content that can make lustful thoughts harder to avoid. If you’re endlessly scrolling or binging media, you’re exposing yourself to a constant stream of temptation. Not. Watching those shows or limiting your time on these apps—or deleting them altogether—is easier than cutting out your eye. Replace that time with something more true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable (Philippians 4:8), like studying God’s Word. It’s a simple yet effective way to help manage mental struggles with lust.
If your battle with lust involves things like pornography or other sexually charged content, you’re not alone. In fact, in a group the size of Youth Camp, it’s likely that more than 75% of the room has seen or is actively struggling with it. Feeling isolated only makes it harder, so remember that others face this challenge too.
It’s encouraging that you want to break free from this habit—that’s a great first step. While the journey to freedom might not be quick or easy, God can perform miracles, and victory is possible. Remember, God loves you despite your sins.Romans 5:8-9. You are not broken—at least, no more than the rest of us.
I know what we have talked about might not be the quick-fix answers you were hoping for. Unfortunately, there isn’t a "magic pill" for instant victory in this area. However, if you’re willing to fight, you can experience victory. God is ready to help you every step of the way—just give Him the opportunity to work in your life.
Here are a few other tips and tools that may help in your fight:
Accountability: Talk to a trusted friend, preferably someone older or at least serious about their faith, who can support you. Bringing sin into the light is one of the best ways to fight it. Sin thrives in secrecy, but James 5:16 reminds us: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Covenant Eyes: This accountability and filtering software is highly effective. It’s not free, but the freedom it brings is worth every dollar. Learn more here: Covenant Eyes. It allows you to work with an accountability partner as well.
Resources
The Bible: Dive into God’s Word. It’s your greatest weapon. You can find some tools I find helpful here.
Prayer: Never stop praying about this, even after you experience some victory.
Fight the New Drug: For stats on pornography visit FightTheNewDrug.org.
"I'm really in need of someone to encourage me in my walk with God. How can I find a spiritual mentor? I don’t want to put pressure on anyone, but it feels like nobody I know is interested."
First of all, it’s wonderful that you’re seeking a mentor—it shows a desire to grow spiritually. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to spur one another on in love and good deeds and to keep meeting and encouraging each other. You’re already heading in the right direction by seeking this kind of support!
If you’d like, some of the camp staff would be happy to help you find a mentor. You’re welcome to reach out to Alana or me, and we’d love to guide you. Your mentor could be another camp counselor, someone from a local church, or even one of us if we’re able to help in that way.
If you’re looking to find a mentor on your own, here are a few tips to help you get started:
Look for Experience: Seek out someone who’s been walking with God longer than you. Their experience can provide valuable insights and encouragement.
Seek a Good Reputation: A mentor doesn’t have to be perfect, but they should be someone striving to live out their faith authentically. Look for someone whose life reflects a genuine relationship with God.
Find Someone with Bible Knowledge: A solid understanding of Scripture is important for a mentor. It helps ensure that the guidance they offer is grounded in God’s Word.
Pray About It: This is the most important step (and in a programming twist, let’s call it step 0). Pray and ask God to lead you to the right person. He knows your needs and will provide in His timing.