pursuit of the world's temptations

Someone I know has been on my mind a lot lately. He's a nice enough fellow and I love him very much. But his life is a total disaster, and it always has been. I've prayed fervently for his life to turn around, but he's made no progress whatsoever. He's hit the bottom financially many times. He's been homeless and unemployed many times. He's abused alcohol, and probably drugs to a smaller degree. He's been in trouble with the law many times, and has spent time in prison. He has emotional problems for which he needs medication, but he refuses to stay on his prescribed medication. Many times a family member or friend has taken him under their wing and tried to give him a fresh start, but every time within a matter of weeks he has rejected it all and hit bottom again.

Why is his life like this? I don't know for certain - I think that some people are given more challenges than others, and I think some are more prone to temptation than others. I don't think you can really know what it's like for another person, unless you've had all of the experiences and influences that they have had. But I can speculate in his case, since I know it well.

First, he does not have God in his life. I think he believes in the Christian story and acknowledges the truth, but he does not practice Christianity in any sense, nor does Christianity affect his life in any way. How can anyone hope to thrive, or even survive in this world, without a full devotion to the Creator?

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." -Proverbs 16:3

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life.' " -John 14:6

I think his second problem is that all of his thoughts and actions are turned toward himself. When he does manage to get a little money, he quickly blows it on eating out, electronic gadgets and alcohol. I don't know of a single time he has ever done any volunteer or charitable work. Ironically, by focusing on squeezing out of life whatever he can for his own use and pleasure, he has ended up denying himself of all of the good things that life offers.

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life." -Luke 21:34

"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you." -I Peter 4:3-4

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." -Galatians 5:19-24

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -Philippians 4:8

This young man needs your prayers. He has a sharp and quick mind, and a great deal of energy. He might yet go far if he can get his life on track. Only God can make the kind of change he needs.