Avoiding sin after absolution

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Can you speak of how sanctifying grace, after being absolved of your sins in the sacrament of penance, has made avoidance of a particular sin more possible now that you have that grace from God?
I understand one has to still work hard at developing the virtues to avoid sin, but has this grace made it any easier? I understand prayer is much more effective than before.
And does one essentially have to keep asking for help to avoid this sin or do we just trust in his will and accept His ways to lead to the ultimate good?
 
The priest at my parish just explained it this past Sunday in this way: when you confess your sins, you receive the grace to begin to overcome them, if they’re habitual, and the simple act of speaking your sins as well makes you more aware of them. Depending on how deep in the particular sin you are, you may fall again, even many times, but as long as you continue to go to Confession, each time you do you do so with less zeal and less love for the sin.

Does that make sense?
 
Thanks brother redwatch. That helps a lot. ‘Begin’ is the key word. I was hoping for a miracle or something. I guess it’s a process. Seems I need to plan more time in the confessional to snuff out the devil.
Thank you kindly.
 
The work of the Holy Spirit in our souls is called grace. He fills the mind with truth, and the will with resolve. Knowing human frailty Jesus gave us the Sacrament of reconciliation. The mind may become suddenly enlightened, and the will make become very strong, but thats an exception. God can do all things.

The usual pattern is one of perseverance in our minds being obedient to our informed consciences with the faith, and becoming stronger by the increased determination not to sin again. It’s like developing strength by exercising the muscle, only this is exercising spiritual muscles. Repeating sin becomes a vice, so repeating a good act becomes virtue. Virtue is a spiritual power. The will needs the strength of resolution and the mind needs the enlightenment of truth, or faith, this is called growing spiritually through the practice of humility, the foundation of all virtue, practiced by using the sacrament of reconciliation, ( a Grace) we become stronger in virtue. then sin is conquered, and as it is we move up the spiritual ladder God introduces us to more of Himself Spiritual writers have divided the spiritual stages ( as we advance) into the Purgative stage (our struggle against sin and its conquest), The illuminative stage ( we are learning our faith,and its truth) and the unitive stage ( we we are united to God by living a grace filled life Some spiritual writers think the these stages are mixed, not so distinctly separate. But they all consist of spiritual growth, leading to complete union with God
 
Geez, I can’t even digest half you said.
That’s beautiful! Such insight!
Truly a blessing.
 
Hi Googler- Kudos to you for having an earnest desire to lead a virtuous life! I highly recommend to you Vinny Flynn’s book “7 secrets to Confession.” It’s a fairly short and clear read on Confession. The most important insight I’ve learned from the book is that Confession is not just a place to go to confess sins. Yes, we do receive forgiveness, but the most important word associated with Confession is not forgiveness but rather healing. We are healed. We go to the confessional to be washed away from sin and to resolve to sin no more, to live more like Christ.

As far as how to cooperate with the grace we are given? Certainly we receive many graces from just going to Confession, and hopefully that develops into a weekly or bi-weekly pattern. Also, one of the best ways to overcome repeated sin is to say the Rosary (with much love and devotion, so say it slowly) each day. Either you will give up the practice of saying the Rosary or you will give up the sin 🙂 And of course, receiving Jesus each day would help if it is possible for you to go to daily Mass.

Both quotes from St. Francis de Sales:

“Let us not forget the maxims of the saints, who teach us to advance a little further each day on the road to perfection. This thought should encourage us not to be surprised or to feel miserable whenever we have something to correct. Each day we must begin again with renewed courage.”

“Even though we commit many faults through human weakness, we would not become upset. While detesting the fact that we have offended God, we can still experience a certain joy in humility and a kind of delight in our miseries. In the midst of all the occupations of each day, see to it that you do not become too absorbed in material things. Keep a tight grasp of Christ’s hand. Whenever you find yourself with more than you can handle, do no panic, but look to Christ.”
 
Dear GratefulLeper,
Thanks for your post.
I’m not sure if I have that book on my shelf, I’ll have to check. I know I have some of Vinny’s books.
Did you ever order a book and found out you already had it on your shelf and now you have two of them?
That happened to me twice already. You don’t want to get old 🙂
There are many wonderful devotions. But, yes, if one has time, daily Mass and daily Rosary, should be at the top of the list. Esp., if we have something to correct, like St. Fracis de Sales said, begin again each day and do not panic.
To pray always.
To welcome the presence of Jesus and hold conversation with Him everday, no matter what we’re doing.
We must count it a blessing when we are tempted for the opportunity to pray for the grace to avoid it.
Like Fr. Hardon said, we always get what we pray for if we pray for what we ’need’ (not want).
Another wonderful (and powerful) little book:
amazon.com/Forty-Dreams-St-John-Bosco/dp/0895555972/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399569971&sr=1-1&keywords=Forty+Dreams+of+St.+John+Bosco
 
Googler said:
And does one essentially have to keep asking for help to avoid this sin or do we just trust in his will and accept His ways to lead to the ultimate good?
Click to expand...
This is not an either/or thing. 🙂

Consistently asking for help in the face of temptation, exists precisely* because* we “trust in His will and accept His ways.” If we cooperate with His will when tempted, we will also cooperate with His grace, which will help us to ever grow in holiness.
 
InNomineDomini said:
This is not an either/or thing. 🙂

Consistently asking for help in the face of temptation, exists precisely* because* we “trust in His will and accept His ways.” If we cooperate with His will when tempted, we will also cooperate with His grace, which will help us to ever grow in holiness.
Click to expand...
Thanks for spelling it out for me. I don’t know why I was thinking it was the Grace that made it easier to avoid a fall. Fervent prayer is still necessary. Perhaps that prayer once one is in Grace is more effective?
 
Googler- I found this quote and wanted to share it with you.

Prayer of Saint Claude de la Colombiere - A Despair Prayer.

Lord, I am in this world to show Your mercy to others.
Other people will glorify You
by making visible the power of Your grace
by their fidelity and constancy to You.
For my part I will glorify You
by making known how good You are to sinners,
that Your mercy is boundless
and that no sinner no matter how great his offences
should have reason to despair of pardon.
If I have grievously offended You, My Redeemer,
let me not offend You even more
by thinking that You are not kind enough to pardon Me.

Amen.
 
GratefulLeper said:
Googler- I found this quote and wanted to share it with you.

Prayer of Saint Claude de la Colombiere - A Despair Prayer.

Lord, I am in this world to show Your mercy to others.
Other people will glorify You
by making visible the power of Your grace
by their fidelity and constancy to You.
For my part I will glorify You
by making known how good You are to sinners,
that Your mercy is boundless
and that no sinner no matter how great his offences
should have reason to despair of pardon.
If I have grievously offended You, My Redeemer,
let me not offend You even more
by thinking that You are not kind enough to pardon Me.

Amen.
Click to expand...
Boy! That’s a wonderful prayer. One should read it nice and slowly.
That’s one prayer millions of nominal catholics need to hear.
Doubting His mercy never crossed my mind.
My problem was ammendment, which the Holy Spirit and His spouse took care of lately and led me to reconciliation and penance today.
Alleluia!
 
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