Battling the self, how?

[dizzy_dave]

I am trying to figure out ways to overcome and battle myself and my inclinations to various types of sin. Are there any good books on this topic specifically? I can find many books on battling the devil, but not JUST the self. Any advice here? Thanks.

 

[maria_rose]

The first and most important thing is deep and sincere prayer. Ask Our Blessed Mother for her intercession and recite the rosary in her honor daily. Another prayer That is very special is the Anima Christi. You can find it in any Catholic prayer book.
Also The Confiteor is a good prayer to pray every day:"
I confess to Allmighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin,to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostels Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought,word and deed, through my fault,through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore,I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostels Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to Allmighty God for me.
May Allmighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.
May the allmighty and mercyfull Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen."
Prayer has to be combined with action. So do active penance by serving the Lord in any capacity he calls you to.
Overcoming sinfull tendencies is a big challenge, but never give up trying. Our Lord will guide you.
My prayers are with you.
God love you!

 

[jmm08]

Wonderful question, I hope to watch this for additional replies and ideas. I could use help myself.

I think I recall reading or hearing Fulton Sheen say that I would never understand myself unless I read the Confessions of St. Augustine.

My recollection may be inaccurate.

Let me know if there is an understandable (on-line version in English).

 

[Andruschak]

Also The Confiteor is a good prayer to pray every day!

As a matter of fact, I do The Confiteor every night, right after recitation of Psalm 51. I agree that it is a good prayer, especially when used in its longer version, not the shorter version used at Mass. (opinion)

 

[John_Hiner]

One idea that occurs to me is to recommend praying the Liturgy of the Hours. This has a very stabilizing effect on one’s thinking and emotions. It “sanctifies time.” By praying Lauds on waking up, Matins at Noon, Day Prayer at 3:00 pm, Vespers at or after sundown, and Compline before bed, I find the awareness of God and the focus of Christ and the Church permeates every activity and thought of the day, week, month, and the seasons of the year. This is a constant reinforcement of resolve and discipline. (There are also two additional “minor hours” that can be added in midmorning and midday, if you need more coverage.) Since much of the Liturgy is prayer of the Psalms, the content of the prayer, which is different every day, often touches on the problem of sin and the need for repentance and salvation.

One effect of this practice is to bring the Faith into every part of the day. Also, in itself the regular prayer forms a basis of discipline around which the rest of your thoughts and activities tend to become organized. Together these can be powerful aids in resisting temptation.

It is a big commitment (an hour or more each day), but it might be helpful, and it is possible that nothing less would be pervasive enough to work. My thinking is that our defenses have to be at least as common as the occasions of sin, if we are not to be doomed to lose by slow attrition in the struggle against temptation.

On the question of books, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas aKempis is a depressing but good read for Lent. It might be of some help in overcoming the flesh.

Pax Christi nobiscum.

John Hiner

 

[Neithan]

I am reading a book called Humility of Heart by Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (trans. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan), published by TAN. It is excellent, and I highly recommend it!
Humility is the root of all spiritual growth.

 

[Eireann]

I am trying to figure out ways to overcome and battle myself and my inclinations to various types of sin. Are there any good books on this topic specifically? I can find many books on battling the devil, but not JUST the self. Any advice here? Thanks.

Saint John Vianney said the only thing we have from God that we can truly call our own is "free will " and we should make an offering of it to God everyday.

I do on days I remember, it may not be as simple as this for some, but it’s nice to say like Jesus, " not my will Father, but thine be done".

 

[guanophore]

I am trying to figure out ways to overcome and battle myself and my inclinations to various types of sin. Are there any good books on this topic specifically? I can find many books on battling the devil, but not JUST the self. Any advice here? Thanks.

I have found memorizing scripture the most effective. Start with Rom. ch. 7, that explains the predicament we are in, and the answer is in ch. 8.

I personally find praying in tongues helpful, but I find that, on this board at least, this is a rather maligned form of spirituality.

Much of the problem with concupiscence (inclination to sin) is in the human mind. We need a brainwashing.

2 Cor 10:3-6
3 For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ"

I think this happens best by memorizing scripture verses and words of the saints. That way, when negative thoughts come, the answer is near at hand. When the times comes to overcome thoughts “do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12

Once the scripture and traditions are committed to memory, the Holy Spirit can bring them to mind whenever they are needed.

 

[Jenlyn]

I am finding that when I lack control in a certain area of life, I am also lacking in trust of God. I am trying to fix a situation when I should actually let God do the work instead.

So I recommend books on trusting in God, building our trust in God. Two that come to mind are the Psalms which have several chapter devoted to this. Also reading about St. Faustina and meditating on “Jesus, I trust in you” which Jesus ask St. Faustina to add to his image.

His message to her was one of mercy. Keep in mind His endless mercy and persevere in your conversion. It is only in Jesus that we can do anything at all.

Turn your burden over to Jesus and He will make it light. Trust in Him. Surrender yourself totally to Him.

Not sure if this advise will be helpful but I offer it anyways.

God bless you

 

[mapleoak]

I don’t know if it is still in print or not, but one of the very best books of daily meditations (lots and lots of them) is “The Way of Salvation and Perfection” by St. Alphonsos Liguori. It pits human desires and concupisensce up against reflections on eternity and puts them into perspective.

In Christ - J.M.J.
Mapleoak