Firm Purpose of Amendment

[S_V7]

What exactly does having a firm purpose of amendment require?

I find the potential to sin just about everywhere (tv, groups of people-especially around my age, books, images) just about anything even if it’s not a bad image or anything. It seems the only way is to avoid just about everyone and everything which makes school a problem. Or is it enough to avoid those situations that are more able to cause sin and be extra cautious at all other times? Because I have some…ahem…questionable friends who do things I would not. Am I suppose to avoid them completely (and if so, is there a way to do it without being rude??), or just limit my time with them and take extra extra extra care?? What about books? I was reading a book about Saints and had some scrupulous moments while reading it because of some bad thoughts and feelings it caused. Should I avoid all books???This doesn’t exactly seem appropriate but it seems like the only way to avoid the things that can cause me to sin.

A person who is unwilling to avoid a near or a voluntary occasion of sin is not fittingly prepared to receive absolution and forgiveness of his sins. If the priest is aware of his imperfect dispositions, he will refuse absolution.

• “If thy hand or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off and cast if from thee. It is better for thee to go into [eternal] life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.” (Matt. 18:8). *

tanbooks.com/doct/confession_manual.htm

 

[RSulli]

Well, we can’t opt out of life. What you described is frequently a topic for my confessions. Although experiences are very different between people I find remedies have common elements of success.

A priest once offered this as a “suggestion”. When people, places and things are worrisome a simple distraction is needed. He said “carry a small bible with you and when tempted simply open it to a page at random and begin reading. Read until the test has passed. They always pass. And leave your anxiety at the horror movie.”

It works for me. Not perfectly of course.

 

[porthos11]

What exactly does having a firm purpose of amendment require?

I find the potential to sin just about everywhere (tv, groups of people-especially around my age, books, images) just about anything even if it’s not a bad image or anything. It seems the only way is to avoid just about everyone and everything which makes school a problem. Or is it enough to avoid those situations that are more able to cause sin and be extra cautious at all other times? Because I have some…ahem…questionable friends who do things I would not. Am I suppose to avoid them completely (and if so, is there a way to do it without being rude??), or just limit my time with them and take extra extra extra care?? What about books? I was reading a book about Saints and had some scrupulous moments while reading it because of some bad thoughts and feelings it caused. Should I avoid all books???This doesn’t exactly seem appropriate but it seems like the only way to avoid the things that can cause me to sin.

tanbooks.com/doct/confession_manual.htm

I reiterate my suggestion earlier. For your own spiritual good, I strongly recommend you cease using these forums for spiritual advice. You are in a terribly weakened state that you can only obtain good spiritual benefit from your confessor.

I have already told you what firm purpose of amendment means. That includes avoiding the near occasion of sin. What those are, are between you and your confessor.

It seems like every answer you get here only leads to more doubts, and there’s too much danger here of varied answers which will only make matters worse.