Defeating Temptation

[sorely_tempted]

Alright, I’d love some help if anyone can give me on temptation.

I’ve had a problem with masturbation/pornography for a number of years. I’ve beaten it for stretches (years, months) at a time, but I’ve never been able to shake it off.

One of the conclusions I’ve come up with, and one highly encouraged in other threads is praying to God. Another one I’ve found useful is remembering who I am and the values I uphold. If I can remember and use these, I can occasionally stave off the temptation for a few hours, or even more rarely, defeat it for a few days or so.

The biggest problem is when I lose my sense of self and my connection to God. Without it, I cannot control myself in any way; it takes some kind of outside stimulus to bring me out of my trance. I literally lose myself in the sin, and almost rarely manage to break it before I’ve done the deed.

To compound things, even trying to pray makes the temptation harder; while praying, I think about what I’m trying to avoid, and it only becomes more entrancing.

Does anyone have any tips on how to remember who I am, and what my relationship with God should be?

 

[teachccd]

Make that outside stimulus a walk outside or some kind of exercise. If this occurs at night find a crucifix and hold onto it and stare at the Christ who died for you. Temptation is just that, temptation. You need to find whatever activity you can to counter those moments. Only you know when those temptations are the strongest. Once you realize when those times are then do whatever it is to counter them. And if it means loosing the computer then let this be your last post…teachccd

 

[Sailka]

Alright, I’d love some help if anyone can give me on temptation.

I’ve had a problem with masturbation/pornography for a number of years. I’ve beaten it for stretches (years, months) at a time, but I’ve never been able to shake it off.

One of the conclusions I’ve come up with, and one highly encouraged in other threads is praying to God. Another one I’ve found useful is remembering who I am and the values I uphold. If I can remember and use these, I can occasionally stave off the temptation for a few hours, or even more rarely, defeat it for a few days or so.

The biggest problem is when I lose my sense of self and my connection to God. Without it, I cannot control myself in any way; it takes some kind of outside stimulus to bring me out of my trance. I literally lose myself in the sin, and almost rarely manage to break it before I’ve done the deed.

To compound things, even trying to pray makes the temptation harder; while praying, I think about what I’m trying to avoid, and it only becomes more entrancing.

Does anyone have any tips on how to remember who I am, and what my relationship with God should be?

Is great request for Prayers, Identical situation, Great responses on Prayer Intentions site. May be best help. Great reading there, in responses, ideas. Will pray for you, Defeating. You are great requesting our help. Is why we have this great site.

A tip, Defeating: Try change of thought to WWJ want me to do when the temptations hit; and Pray for Another person You really know Needs prayers!.

 

[UndertheRadar]

Many people have posted very helpful suggestions in overcoming temptations, but one suggestion that I have to add is the power of spiritual reading. I know at first glance it may seem like a strange suggestion, but it is powerful. Reading spiritual works by the saints lifts our minds towards God and puts them in the right place. It has the power to inspire one towards imitating the saints and the inspiration offers a strength to the reader. St. Padre Pio highly recommended spiritual readings. If you would like some suggestions, I have several powerful books that focus on how to perfect our spiritual lives. I will list them if anyone is interested

 

[RCWarrior821]

chastity.com/chastity/index.php?id=7&entryid=52

“To defend his purity, Saint Francis of Assisi rolled in the snow, Saint Benedict threw himself into a thornbush, Saint Bernard plunged into an icy pond . . . You . . . what have you done?”

• St. Josemaria Escriva

 

[TLM08]

Alright, I’d love some help if anyone can give me on temptation.

I’ve had a problem with masturbation/pornography for a number of years. I’ve beaten it for stretches (years, months) at a time, but I’ve never been able to shake it off.

One of the conclusions I’ve come up with, and one highly encouraged in other threads is praying to God. Another one I’ve found useful is remembering who I am and the values I uphold. If I can remember and use these, I can occasionally stave off the temptation for a few hours, or even more rarely, defeat it for a few days or so.

The biggest problem is when I lose my sense of self and my connection to God. Without it, I cannot control myself in any way; it takes some kind of outside stimulus to bring me out of my trance. I literally lose myself in the sin, and almost rarely manage to break it before I’ve done the deed.

To compound things, even trying to pray makes the temptation harder; while praying, I think about what I’m trying to avoid, and it only becomes more entrancing.

Does anyone have any tips on how to remember who I am, and what my relationship with God should be?

Along with all of the great spiritual advice people offer for killing this demon, I was able to stop using porn as soon as I separated the masturbation from the porn. Porn only has power because of masturbation. The porn went into the fire pit and the masturbation slowed down to a stop as I was able to slowly redirect all of my “energy” into my marriage where it belongs. If I had tried to stop masturbating the same day the porn got destroyed, I would have never made it. Purity is a process and the body might need time to adjust. Critical to my success (along with God’s grace of course!)… is living a G-Rated lifestyle, saying tons of prayers and frequent confession. This vice can be stopped!

 

[sorely_tempted]

Is great request for Prayers, Identical situation, Great responses on Prayer Intentions site. May be best help. Great reading there, in responses, ideas. Will pray for you, Defeating. You are great requesting our help. Is why we have this great site.

A tip, Defeating: Try change of thought to WWJ want me to do when the temptations hit; and Pray for Another person You really know Needs prayers!.

Thanks for the prayers. I try to have a good prayer session with God every night; sadly it fades with time, until I remember why I need to pray.

Make that outside stimulus a walk outside or some kind of exercise. If this occurs at night find a crucifix and hold onto it and stare at the Christ who died for you. Temptation is just that, temptation. You need to find whatever activity you can to counter those moments. Only you know when those temptations are the strongest. Once you realize when those times are then do whatever it is to counter them. And if it means loosing the computer then let this be your last post…teachccd

Sadly, no crucifixes around. A rosary on the keyboard might be a good idea, however. Thanks.

The tempation often happens after a long day, or after I’ve been asleep. In such cases, getting out isn’t an option.

Many people have posted very helpful suggestions in overcoming temptations, but one suggestion that I have to add is the power of spiritual reading. I know at first glance it may seem like a strange suggestion, but it is powerful. Reading spiritual works by the saints lifts our minds towards God and puts them in the right place. It has the power to inspire one towards imitating the saints and the inspiration offers a strength to the reader. St. Padre Pio highly recommended spiritual readings. If you would like some suggestions, I have several powerful books that focus on how to perfect our spiritual lives. I will list them if anyone is interested

Alright, I kinda forgot about other spiritual reading. I was simply opening the Bible, as well as “Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars”, but this has slacked off since school has started back up. Thanks for reminding me of it.

chastity.com/chastity/index.php?id=7&entryid=52

“To defend his purity, Saint Francis of Assisi rolled in the snow, Saint Benedict threw himself into a thornbush, Saint Bernard plunged into an icy pond . . . You . . . what have you done?”

• St. Josemaria Escriva

Thanks for the link and quote. I will check it out.

Along with all of the great spiritual advice people offer for killing this demon, I was able to stop using porn as soon as I separated the masturbation from the porn. Porn only has power because of masturbation. The porn went into the fire pit and the masturbation slowed down to a stop as I was able to slowly redirect all of my “energy” into my marriage where it belongs. If I had tried to stop masturbating the same day the porn got destroyed, I would have never made it. Purity is a process and the body might need time to adjust. Critical to my success (along with God’s grace of course!)… is living a G-Rated lifestyle, saying tons of prayers and frequent confession. This vice can be stopped!

One step at a time. I must remember that. Thank you very much.

The one thing that is the problem is that all of this helps, if I can remember to do it. Some of it is getting into the habit of things, such as daily readings, but others, like praying when I’m troubled, don’t work. Part of the problem is that I lose my sense of self, and what I need to do to remain chaste. Anyone have any solutions for that?

 

[Sailka]

Thanks for the prayers. I try to have a good prayer session with God every night; sadly it fades with time, until I remember why I need to pray.

Sadly, no crucifixes around. A rosary on the keyboard might be a good idea, however. Thanks.

The temptation often happens after a long day, or after I’ve been asleep. In such cases, getting out isn’t an option.

Alright, I kinda forgot about other spiritual reading. I was simply opening the Bible, as well as “Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars”, but this has slacked off since school has started back up. Thanks for reminding me of it.

Thanks for the link and quote. I will check it out.

One step at a time. I must remember that. Thank you very much.

The one thing that is the problem is that all of this helps, if I can remember to do it. Some of it is getting into the habit of things, such as daily readings, but others, like praying when I’m troubled, don’t work.

[SIGN]

• Part of the problem is that I lose my sense of self, and what I need to do to remain chaste. Anyone have any solutions for that?/