Can't Stop?

  • Thread starter Thread starter misericordie
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

misericordie

Guest
How can someone who has made lust a habit, as well as masturbation a habit stop though they have tried almost everything???
Sin’s grip is very strong for many.
Any thoughts here?? Thanks.
 
confess it a lot. The more we confess, the more graces we receive. Those graces then help us to not commit that sin again.
 
Also, when a person is about to get tripped up by their sin again (if they are aware this is happening) they can ask Jesus to help them in that moment of temptation.
 
Have you tried SAA? (Sex addicts anon) Its a 12 step group, similar to alcoholics anon. only the addiction is sex. National office # is 800-477-8191.
 
You probably can’t stop the sins of masturbation and lust on your own. This is the first thing you must understand. Human nature is what it is and it isn’t holy. I imagine that every man who reads Christ’s words regarding lusting in one’s heart having already committed adultery knows he’s doomed. It is only through god’s grace communicated through reconciliation and the Eucharist that will help. Of course you are obliged to avoid whatever leads you to sin. Pornography, for example.
With respect to masturbation I think the situation may be a little easier to overcome. I’m speaking through experience now - unite yourself in this struggle with Jesus. When you get to that situation where you know full well you’re about to sin then stop whatever you’re doing and ask him, out loud, to please help you because you know you are too weak alone. I actually hold my hands in prayer close to my heart during such moments. The heart is where your spiritual center is - the place “to which we withdraw”, the place where the holy spirit resides in us. Day by day when you come to rely more on His strength and less on your own you will master this…
 
Hello,

I understand. I have compassion.

Yes, you can stop. Decide that you will never do it again and find something else to do. Done. Ahh, but it’s complicated. Who makes it complicated? I know the game. The game only ends when you stop playing it.

Stop now and be free. That is the only answer, just decide to stop and be at peace. But, but… I know. You will have temptation - that’s not a sin, just don’t let the temptation let you feel hopeless so that you keep sinning. Sometimes it take wisdom and experience to overcome the mind games. “When I am weak then I am strong” - St. Paul Jesus wants to heal you, not condemn you.

Enjoy the freedom. Return to the joy of Jesus. Get a hobby that interests you. Done. Then you never have to worry about this again. It’s really up to you. You know the game.

I think anxiety about the problem can contribute to the problem.
 
If you’re a daily communicant then it is simple. Any time you enter into this serious sin you cannot receive the Lord without Confession. A daily communicant puts great importance on being physically united with the Lord and will strive always to let nothing come and interfere with that.

If you are not a daily communicant then I would suggest you seriously give thought to becoming one especially if you are despairing about the grip of sin.

Sin Vs Receiving the Lord? Guess which one always wins?

I would suggest too that you remember the following hierarchy.

Senses unchecked = Temptation
Temptation unchecked = Desire
Desire unchecked = Sin
Sin unchecked = Death.

There fore the earlier we recognise that temptation comes through the senses and the earlier in the hierarchy we pluck it out or crush it, the easier it becomes to have victory over the sin.
I always remember the scene from the Passioin of the Christ where Christ stands up with determination in the Garden and crushes the head of Satan. Determination will always have this effect.

We all continue to fall. The other and final thing I would suggest is that when you do fall, instead of despair, rise up again immediately and give Christ Jesus the victory over the sin.
I will remember you in my prayers.

God Bless,
Fergal
Naas
Ireland
 
40.png
redkim:
Also, when a person is about to get tripped up by their sin again (if they are aware this is happening) they can ask Jesus to help them in that moment of temptation.
Click to expand...
I like this advice and also use this often. I also think back to the day I made the confession and promise to stop the lust, etc. I hated hearing myself say those things to the priest, and was ashamed. So each time the temptation arises, I ask the Lord to help, St. Michael to help, and do not want to be in a position to have to tell the priest that sin again!

I also think many people may not confess the sin of masterbation because it is embarrassing. I vowed to not have to confess that one again. God help me!
 
Lots of prayer and meditation. Frequent confession & communion. Fasting.

I also employ discipline to master the will. Where in I try to see how long I can refrain from commiting such sin. If I do fall, I go to confession and try to break my previous record by refraining longer. Eventually, you will notice that you are able to control yourself. This method takes time and discipline. Which is why I require lots of prayer and meditation. :gopray2:

And lastly, try to avoid occasions of sin as much as possible.
 
Use your hands for holy things, and take special notice when you do. For example, making the sign of cross, receiving the Eucharist, touching the cheek of a loved one or holding someone’s hand.
I hope this helps!
God Bless you.
 
A good support group helps. I also find memorizing certain Scriptures which pertain to my current problem help. When that problem arrizes, I say the Scripture over and over, again, in my head.
I was lusting after the neighbor and the Scritpure about Satan waiting like a lion to devore me helped.
 
Thank you so much everyone for all your great advice. There are sp many people I know too struggling with all this too. Great, friendly people who really WANT to live HOLY lives.
Thanks all for caring.
Any more thoughts on this???
 
Misericordie,

This is not such a recurring problem with me but it does happen. I had an Eastern Orthodox priest bless me on the forehead saying a prayer and I WENT TO BED WITH MY BIBLE! It worked! And I was free for quite some time…

Blessings to you my friend,
Shoshana:)
 
40.png
Shoshana:
Misericordie,

This is not such a recurring problem with me but it does happen. I had an Eastern Orthodox priest bless me on the forehead saying a prayer and I WENT TO BED WITH MY BIBLE! It worked! And I was free for quite some time…

Blessings to you my friend,
Shoshana:)
Click to expand...
Thank you Shoshana, thanks for your advice and kind words.🙂
 
40.png
sullivansoul:
Use your hands for holy things, and take special notice when you do. For example, making the sign of cross, receiving the Eucharist, touching the cheek of a loved one or holding someone’s hand.
I hope this helps!
God Bless you.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice, thank you.
 
40.png
Fergal:
If you’re a daily communicant then it is simple. Any time you enter into this serious sin you cannot receive the Lord without Confession. A daily communicant puts great importance on being physically united with the Lord and will strive always to let nothing come and interfere with that.

If you are not a daily communicant then I would suggest you seriously give thought to becoming one especially if you are despairing about the grip of sin.

Sin Vs Receiving the Lord? Guess which one always wins?

I would suggest too that you remember the following hierarchy.

Senses unchecked = Temptation
Temptation unchecked = Desire
Desire unchecked = Sin
Sin unchecked = Death.

There fore the earlier we recognise that temptation comes through the senses and the earlier in the hierarchy we pluck it out or crush it, the easier it becomes to have victory over the sin.
I always remember the scene from the Passioin of the Christ where Christ stands up with determination in the Garden and crushes the head of Satan. Determination will always have this effect.

We all continue to fall. The other and final thing I would suggest is that when you do fall, instead of despair, rise up again immediately and give Christ Jesus the victory over the sin.
I will remember you in my prayers.

God Bless,
Fergal
Naas
Ireland
Click to expand...
VERY GOOD ADVICE AND HOLY TOO. THANKS.
 
40.png
Shoshana:
Misericordie,

This is not such a recurring problem with me but it does happen. I had an Eastern Orthodox priest bless me on the forehead saying a prayer and I WENT TO BED WITH MY BIBLE! It worked! And I was free for quite some time…

Blessings to you my friend,
Shoshana:)
Click to expand...
I wonder why some priests don’t even see lust, etc. as a sin???
 
40.png
Greg_McPherran:
Hello,

I understand. I have compassion.

Yes, you can stop. Decide that you will never do it again and find something else to do. Done. Ahh, but it’s complicated. Who makes it complicated? I know the game. The game only ends when you stop playing it.

Stop now and be free. That is the only answer, just decide to stop and be at peace. But, but… I know. You will have temptation - that’s not a sin, just don’t let the temptation let you feel hopeless so that you keep sinning. Sometimes it take wisdom and experience to overcome the mind games. “When I am weak then I am strong” - St. Paul Jesus wants to heal you, not condemn you.

Enjoy the freedom. Return to the joy of Jesus. Get a hobby that interests you. Done. Then you never have to worry about this again. It’s really up to you. You know the game.

I think anxiety about the problem can contribute to the problem.
Click to expand...
In the Spring and Summer times the temptations usually become stronger, because there is so much immodesty.
 
40.png
CatholicSamurai:
Lots of prayer and meditation. Frequent confession & communion. Fasting.

I also employ discipline to master the will. Where in I try to see how long I can refrain from commiting such sin. If I do fall, I go to confession and try to break my previous record by refraining longer. Eventually, you will notice that you are able to control yourself. This method takes time and discipline. Which is why I require lots of prayer and meditation. :gopray2:

And lastly, try to avoid occasions of sin as much as possible.
Click to expand...
This is all so true, thank you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top