I’m 22 and I’ve been struggling with masturbating for over 5 years now…but about 2 weeks ago I went to confession and was absolved of my previous sins. And now I feel the strong urge to give into this temptation, but I really don’t want to again.
I have been mildly giving in by accidentally seeing some pornography and whatnot, but I haven’t committed the actual act of “masturbating”. Is this still a mortal sin? How do I confess it?
Temptation is not sin. Jesus Himself was tempted.
When you say ‘accidental’ do you really mean it was not in your control - eg a popup just appeared on your screen when you were doing an internet search for something else or you were idly flicking tv channels at someone else’s house where they have it on cable or something?
If truly accidental, there is no sin. But the fact that you say ‘mildly giving in’ makes it sound like there was control on your part and that you at least at some level chose either to watch or to continue watching. Remember use of pornography is a serious sin in and of itself, even without masturbation. If you knew this already, and did so with at least some intent to watch, then you ought to confess.
How do you accidentally see some pornography?
Well, I gave two examples. The tv thing happened to me - I was housesitting for a friend of a friend, was channel surfing through their cable channels one night and unexpectedly came across the adult channel 
If you have allowed yourself to watch porn, even with not masturbating, its still a sin, the sin of lust. Flipping the channels and “accidentially” scanning a porn channel probably not a sin, but if you stopped and watched the channel for any length of time, its the sin of lust.
another example I was driving around town one day and this big billboard clearly for everyone to see is a girl with barley anything on advertising a strip club, I turn away my eyes till its behind me. While that’s not nudity it is porn.
Or turn on any TV show now of days many of them have no nudity porn.
you could also be watching a movie that had porn that you didn’t except to happen, which while the unexpected part isn’t a sin it could be considered a sin not looking into the content of the movie to see if it leads you into sexual sin.
No intention, no consent of the will = no sin.
No intention, some consent of the will = venial sin.
No intention, full consent of the will = mortal sin.
Intention = mortal sin.
Prayer Against the Sins of the Flesh:
Jesus said this to a visionary:
(“Do you know that I was naked in the sight of all men so that you shall defeat and kill the desires of the flesh which lead to this sin of fornication and adultery? Children, my adversary used this sin to claim all men to himself — Any sinner who constantly prays this prayer will gain true repentance — The more you pray it the more many will return to me and leave fornication and adultery. Many people will be lost due to the sins of the flesh. Work hard to save souls —”)
…
Prayer:
Holy and Merciful Father, Your only-begotten Son is standing naked in the sight of all men, so that Your people will know and fear Your Holy Law. Accept my humble prayer for all Your people who are living under iniquity, fornication and adultery, that through all the shame and disgrace of Your only-begotten Son, You will touch their lives for repentance and save them. May they, through the Precious Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, which I plead to fall on their hearts, gain repentance and be saved and through His shame make them bold for repentance. Amen.
Think of Jesus who was naked on the cross dying,bleeding,scourged,wounded,and his skin torn and shred to pieces and exposing bones.He died because of our sins,and most importantly because he loved us all.
Even watching porn without masturbating is still a sin,because you are giving into temptation which is viewing the sins of the flesh.
Prayer to take Authority:
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I TAKE AUTHORITY AND I BIND ALL THE POWERS AND FORCES IN THE AIR, IN THE GROUND, IN THE WATER, IN THE UNDERGROUND, IN THE NETHERWORLD, IN NATURE AND IN FIRE. YOU ARE THE LORD OVER THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE AND I GIVE YOU THE GLORY FOR YOUR CREATION. IN YOUR NAME, I BIND ALL DEMONIC FORCES THAT HAVE COME AGAINST US AND OUR FAMILIES AND I SEAL ALL OF US IN THE PROTECTION OF YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD THAT WAS SHED FOR US ON THE CROSS.
MARY OUR MOTHER, WE SEEK YOUR PROTECTION AND INTERCESSION, WITH THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS, FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES AND SURROUND US WITH YOUR MANTLE OF LOVE TO DISCOURAGE THE ENEMY.
ST. MICHAEL AND OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS, COME DEFEND US AND OUR FAMILIES IN BATTLE AGAINST ALL THE EVIL ONES THAT ROAM THE EARTH.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I BIND AND COMMAND ALL THE POWERS AND FORCES OF EVIL TO DEPART RIGHT NOW AWAY FROM US, OUR FAMILIES, OUR HOMES, AND OUR LANDS AND I CAST YOU AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS TO REMAIN THERE FOREVER. AND I THANK YOU LORD JESUS FOR YOU ARE A FAITHFUL AND COMPASSIONATE GOD, AMEN.
PRAYER TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
LORD Jesus by faith in Your merits,
I now take Your Precious Blood
and sprinkle it over myself and my family
right from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet.
I claim total and complete protection for my life and my family.
Lord Jesus, keep me free today from evil, sin, temptation,
Satan’s attacks and afflictions,
fear of darkness, fear of man,
sickness, diseases, doubts, anger, all calamities
and from all that is not of Your Kingdom.
Fill me Lord Jesus with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit
and grant me the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, understanding and discernment, so that I will live today in Your Glory by doing what is right.
I praise You Jesus, I thank You Jesus,
I love You Jesus, I adore You Jesus.
You are made in the Image of God,and your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.Everyday say this ‘‘Jesus is the Lord of my life’’ ‘‘And No evil forces has power over me.’’ ‘‘Jesus is my protector and defender,Jesus is my God and in Him I Trust.’’
Also say this, take your full name first then say ‘‘my name is written in the Book of Salvation by my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’’
Always Claim Jesus as your Lord,because Satan hates when you invoke Jesus as Lord.Also before getting tempted think of Jesus naked on the cross and say ‘‘Most Precious Blood of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ quench the flames of my lust’’
Reply With Quote
Prayer of Salvation (Renew Faith in Jesus Christ)
Lord Jesus come into my heart. I desire that you be the Lord of my life, so that I may be a Child of the Light, to know you as my personal Savior- for I know and believe that you died on the cross for my sings. You rose again from the dead on the third day and you are coming again in glory.
I believe in your forgiveness and I desire that You help me to refrain from any temptations that would keep me separated from Your everlasting love. Amen
Rosary of Liberation
You are recommended to recite the Rosary of Liberation for experiencing deliverance from various bondages like sin, satanic powers, bad habits, financial crisis, family problems etc., It is said in the Bible " She will bear a Son, and you shall call his name JESUS, for He will SAVE His people from their sins".( Matthew 1:21) Jesus is the Saviour. Therefore the name Jesus is not a noun form alone, it is also a verb denoting an action which means when you utter the name JESUS you are proclaiming and praying “God save me and all others from our sins”.
Jesus said “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is slave to sin. The slave doesn’t continue in the house forever; the Son continues forever. So, If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. (John 8:34-36)
"As He drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing the multitude going by he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by”. And he cried "Jesus. Son of David, have mercy on me……. and Jesus said to him “Receive you sight; your faith has made you well”. And immediately he received his sight and followed him glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it gave praise to God. (Luke 18: 35-43)
When we recite the Rosary of liberation, claim the promise of Jesus as we see in the Bible.
Jesus is the Saviour (Matthew 1:21)
Jesus is the Healer (Mark 1: 32-34)
He is the Liberator (John 8:36)
Jesus is the God of Mercy (Luke 18:38)
Jesus said “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you”. (Matthew 7:7)
I claim this promise and say…………
1.Recite the Apostle’s Creed at the Triangle of the Rosary
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
2. Recite the following in place of the Hail Mary
Jesus have mercy on me
Jesus heal me
Jesus save me
Jesus free me
3. Recite the following in place of the Our Father
If Jesus makes me free
I will be free indeed
4. Recite the Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail, our life, or sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
If you are praying for a special person replace “me” in the prayer with the name of the “person you are praying for”.
After praying the Rosary of Liberation completely give thanks to Jesus for the Blessings that H is pouring over you and for those for whom you are interceding.
Before interceding for anybody you have to pray for yourself.
ARMOR OF GOD
Good Morning, Father! Good Morning, Jesus! Good Morning, Holy Spirit!
Today Heavenly Father, according to Your Word, I present my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in Your sight. Because I am not contending against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, world rulers of this present darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, I take the whole armor of God so that I may be able to withstand in the evil day. So today I stand and gird my loins with truth. I put on the breastplate of righteousness. I shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all these, I take the shield of faith to quench ALL the flaming darts of the evil one. I take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I pray at ALL times in the Spirit with ALL prayer and supplication for ALL God’s family and for me that I may open my mouth boldly TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL. The weapons of my warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Today I destroy arguments and EVERY proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take EVERY thought captive to OBEY Christ. Thank you, Father, that according to Your Word the glory of the Lord is my rear guard. I praise You and thank You for the armor of light You’ve provided for me this day. I am completely covered now. Upon Jesus I have built my life. The gates of hell shall not prevail against me. Jesus, I apply Your Precious Blood to my life, my family, my home, and all my possessions. You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. For You have supplied ALL my needs according to Your riches in glory. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. I praise You for walking in divine health, for You are my God who heals ALL my diseases. I praise You and thank You for my prosperity and good health even as my soul prospers. For the joy of the Lord is my strength. Father, I have prayed according to Your Word. You said You would watch over Your Word to perform it. I am reminded that every word spoken becomes a living thing - either to minister life or death and destruction. Lord Jesus, let my meditation be sweet to You as I will rejoice in You all day. Just rise up and live big within me. For I am Yours and You are mine in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen
God Bless You and Make Jesus the Lord of Your Life Always and Forever.When temptation comes near you,look or think of Our Lord Jesus Christ on cross who was naked,bruised,scourged,blood covering his body as he died for our sins,because he loves everyone in the world.
Watching porn is a grave sin just as masturbation is. So, if you watch porn and masturbate then you have committed two grave sins that need to be confessed.
Okay and maybe my impression is wrong but I don’t think that’s the kind of accidental the OP means. My first thoughts were that he is seeing this on the internet which makes the accidental a bit suspicious.
May I be forgiven if I’m doing the OP an injustice but maybe he can tell us what he means.
I would be safe and go to confession for this and from now on try my very best to avoid the near occaisons of sin that are putting me in these situations.
Unfortunately, with the dirt that’s on television these days, I think even just regular channel surfing can be a near occasion of sin for a lot of people.
I think, these days, a Catholic has to seriously ask themselves if even watching mainstream TV such as sitcoms and reality shows is something they should be doing…
But here is what our LORD said,
Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”
Video recording was not yet invented then but I think looking at an image of a woman counts the same way.