Dirty Mind and Language

[PonderingJak]

When I was in Elementary School, I was introduced to pornography. Also in Elementary School, I learned swearing, which was “cool” then. Since then, I have had extensive internet usage, which as you all probably know is not the best thing to do. Both of those things ended up with me being a.extremely dirty minded and b. having swear words going through my mind very much throughout the day. You know how in reverse psychology you could say something like, “don’t think of pink elephants,” and of course whoever heard it would probably have a mental image of a pink elephant? Something similar is happening to me. Earlier my family and I said a rosary. Since I was praying, I knew that i was supposed to keep dirty thought out of my head. This made it much worse. But back to the beginning: I want to get to the root of the problem: how do I keep swear words and dirty images from going through my head?

 

[Pythagoras]

You can start by saying 3 Hail Marys everytime the devil starts to tempt you

 

[tawny]

You can start by saying 3 Hail Marys everytime the devil starts to tempt you

Amen.

 

[Errham]

You can start by saying 3 Hail Marys everytime the devil starts to tempt you

Not that I have anything against saying three Hail Marys, but that’s combating the issue rather than addressing it at its core. What the OP needs to realize is that it’s the devil trying to tempt him, rather than simply him having a “dirty mind”. Without this realization any prayer he says will be meaningless. THEN, after he knows that it’s not him who’s the problem, but the evil one, can he start using prayer as his weapon in battle. It’s the difference between swinging a sword in battle at an opponent and swinging a sword around when he thinks that he’s the opponent himself.

 

[Ophelia23]

Sin is a sneaky, tricky, insidious thing that comes into our lives. Once there is a crack in the foundation, it is so easy for it to just filter right on in until your whole self is full of it’s effects. That’s the despairing thought.

The happy thought, however, is that you have the most amazing Advocate on your team, cheering you on toward holiness.

You can overcome this, even though it is rooted in you since childhood. Receive the sacraments as often as you are able. If you begin to have dirty thoughts about another person, maybe you could say a simple prayer of “Jesus, help me love as you love.” This will change the focus from your wants and divert your attention to the value of other people.

If you are still young and live in your family home, for the love of all that is Holy, get the computer/tablet/phone/internet devices OUT of your bedroom. If you’re poking around online around others, you are MUCH less likely to fall into the wormhole of filth.

Finally, when I have a dark thought come to my mind, I will actually open my eyes and call out Christ’s name. Physically opening my eyes interrupts the images or thoughts more effectively than just mentally willing them away.

My prayers are with you. Focus on that happy thought I mention. Christ IS your Advocate–look for His light and cling to it. Follow it. He can’t lead you astray.

 

[Errham]

Also, I’ve found the “seven-bow” prayer to be quite useful in battle.

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (bow)

O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (bow)

Having created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. (bow)

I have sinned immeasurably, O Lord, forgive me. (bow)

My sovereign, most holy Mother of God, save me, a sinner, (bow)

O Angel, my holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. (bow)

Holy Apostle (or martyr, or holy father Name) pray to God for me. (bow)

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.