Dealing with visual temptation

[johndoe2012]

Hello my brothers and sisters,

This is my second post on these forums. I know that the moderators might frown on this but I wanted to talk about pornography and the damage it has done to my soul and mind. For the past 5 years, I had been obsessed with watching a certain type of porn (no need to be specific), it had taken over the way I think. I deleted it last Monday. I used to watch this particular type a lot. My mind is a little freer now. Visual temptation is always there. Hopefully, I can make steps to not watching porn any more. I feel liberated in some ways. Has anyone dealt with similar issues? Also, I feel like it has been getting in my way of blessings. There is still some work to be done. But after 5 years of watching this stuff, I feel relieved! Praise the Lord!

*ps. sorry if this topic is a bit graphic. My intent is not to offend anyone but to share a spiritual confession with members of this forum.

 

[gfbu]

i am new in developing my faith but tackeling a 5 year negative behavior certianly calls for a prayer of thanks andmany prayers for continued direction towards grace.

 

[jtodisco]

Many people have struggled with temptations of impurity. Know that you are far from alone in your struggle. I am happy that you have made a step in the right direction by getting rid of the pornographic material you had been holding onto. Good job. Remember that this is something that will take time and determination to free yourself of. Do not let yourself become discouraged if you fall, but rather pick yourself up again and redouble your efforts to persevere in purity.

Some tips:

Pray daily. Especially the rosary. This can help you much more than you may think.

Exercise regularly. This will help relieve some of the physical stress and tension that comes with sexual temptations.

Obviously frequent the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. The graces you will receive through these sacraments are boundless.

Remove yourself from ocassions for sin whenever possible.

Think about purchasing internet filtering software and then having someone else set the password for you so that you can’t override it during a moment of weakness. If you’re embarassed about asking a friend or relative to do this for you try asking your priest.

Recognize sin for what it is. At moments of weakness we sometimes view sin as being attractive, this can be especially true with sins of impurity. But realize that sin is ugly, that it offends God, and that it degrades you and others (to say nothing of the fact that when we sin gravely we gamble with our very souls). See these temptations as coming from the evil one (as that is where they do come from) and fight against him and his false promises bravely like a true Christian.

And as mentioned already, don’t despair if you mess up. Despair is the devil’s favorite and most deadly temptation. God’s love and mercy are greater than all of the world’s sins combined, let alone your personal sins. But God cannot forgive us if we do not seek and trust in His forgiveness.

 

[SinfulMan]

Hopefully, I can make steps to not watching porn any more.

Read the Bible every day. You will either stop reading the Bible or stop watching pornography. The two won’t go together for long. I am reading the Bible everyday now in my struggle against porn!

Has anyone dealt with similar issues? Also, I feel like it has been getting in my way of blessings. There is still some work to be done. But after 5 years of watching this stuff, I feel relieved! Praise the Lord!

Always remember it is not by your strength but by Christ’s strength that you will fight this out. So I suggest reading the Bible everyday even if you have stopped watching porn. The word of God will cleanse you, see Hebrews 4 verse 12.