Last year we hosted a songwriting competition through our Covenant Musicians initiative. The task was to submit a song about the temptations of lust or pornography. We received over 60 submissions. The grand prize winner was the hip hop song “Struggle” by Taylor Campbell.
I was immediately impressed with Taylor when we first spoke with him. He was only 14 years old when he wrote “Struggle,” but the depth of his lyrics showed a wisdom beyond his years.
As a part of his prize winnings Taylor’s song was featured in a professional video production. And here it is…
“Struggle” lyrics
Don’t be lost in lies
That sin will satisfy
Cause when it comes to sin
You’ll get burned every time
And I been lookin for some healing
A liberation of some kind
To heal me from this bondage
The healing is in Christ
Yeah, you had me wrapped around your finger like I was your slave
I lived for you and obeyed
You influenced how I behave
I remember the days
When my lust for you would burn
And when I snuck off to you I would feel as free as a bird
Not a care in the world
At least at first, that is
Until I felt my back being burdened down with the guilt
That’s when I made the mistake of trying to let you go
And you poured on the temptation
You wouldn’t let me go
Every time we communed
I felt even more guilty
And it felt good for a time
But afterwards I felt filthy
You had me in your chains
When I thought that I had control
I didn’t know
Until I tried to stop and break away from you
And now you’ve got me in your cuffs and I’m all shackled down
I want to get away
But really I just don’t know how
They used to say to me
I need to claim my Father’s name
And He’ll help me resist you
I called and He rescued me
Now that we broke up
You’ve been trying to reach me anyhow
Cause when my friends come back around
They bring you back around
Can’t seem to see the reason that I had to call it quits
They’re still convinced that I’m just crazy and out of my wits
Can’t seem to understand why you and I have parted ways
They said we looked so good together
I said “Man, please!”
They haven’t realized yet
Unable to see that they’re blind
Right now you got them thinking they can stop at anytime
I wish they’d see the path of you and what you offer’s bleak
But they still blow me off and refuse to listen to me
But even then you’re not content with leading them astray
And you keep trying to tempt me back so that we can play
But now I’ve been redeemed, Sin
Our relationship’s over
I’m afraid that I’ve gotten wiser and I’ve gotten older
I’ve left you cause I found someone that doesn’t leave me empty
I looked for love in you but now I find Jesus has plenty
Sin is a shackle
And it fills you with shame
But if you’ll just call on His Name
God will give you a way out
No temptation has overtaken
But what’s common to man
And God will not let you be tempted
Beyond what you can stand
So stand firm
Let your strength be renewed
Cause when you pass through the waters
God will be there with you
And when you pass through the rivers
You won’t be overturned
And when you walk through the fires
He won’t let you be burned
Listen
He will uphold you with His righteous right hand
And you can be sure
You have victory over sin and death
So don’t stress
Just be faithful and be patient
You’ll succeed if you trust God
And not your own understanding
God’s way is perfect
He is a refuge
You can take shelter in Him
Cause He won’t forsake you
And though the world as we know it
Seems like it’s about to change
God remains the same
Yesterday, tomorrow, and today
That was HOT like fire! Loved every second. When’s the next video coming out?