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Pieman333272
Guest
I sometimes struggle with lust. I’ve made it more rare, but sometimes I do have impure thoughts. Even when I don’t want to think about it, the image stays in my mind. How can I get rid of these thoughts?
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Nancita2009
Guest
Stay busy! Pray a Hail Mary or the St. Michael the Archangel prayer.
You have to change the habit (the thoughts) so you have to replace it with a new
habit…a constructive habit! I’ll pray for you!
YOU CAN DO IT! Make sure you go to confession. It’s like your spiritual Rx…
You have to change the habit (the thoughts) so you have to replace it with a new
habit…a constructive habit! I’ll pray for you!
YOU CAN DO IT! Make sure you go to confession. It’s like your spiritual Rx…
H
HickmanJosh
Guest
ive heard a good technique is to just ignore them, and focus on something else, or to develop a habit of offering up a prayer every time such a thing happens.
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Barbkw
Guest
Yep, ignore them.
So long as you don’t encourage those temptations when they pop into your thoughts without your approval - you’re not guilty of sin.
So long as you don’t encourage those temptations when they pop into your thoughts without your approval - you’re not guilty of sin.
W
Warrenton
Guest
Fasting and abstaining from meat and dairy products. I got that from St. Thomas Aquinas!
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rjsock
Guest
Ask our Blessed Mother for help. I find this works really well.
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nathan_oc
Guest
I have a Saint Christopher medal on my sun visor to help break my thought. If my mind or eye ever starts to wander I just have to look up .
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PrayRosary
Guest
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Bookcat
Guest
(from previous posts of mine)
Regarding thoughts
while Jesus makes it clear that one can sin in ones thoughts…just cause some lustful thought happens does not mean that one sinned…
(and one can have a sufficiently good reason to think about sexual matters…for instance studying moral theology…but care must be taken to avoid things that would be a problem…but that is another question)
What should we do with* unwanted* sexual thoughts or other bad thoughts…thoughts against God etc? Those pesky temptations that can come …even though we are not seeking them etc…
(there are of course some things we should avoid that cause them…and there can be sin if it is something one should reasonably avoid…but often they come uninvited)
First…Relax. Do not worry.
Now are they mortal sins?
For a mortal sin one needs a grave matter …full knowledge AND deliberate consent!!!
A. If you do not want the thought…it the thought displeases you: it can be a sign actually that you did not give consent or do not give full consent.
B. Even if you felt a temptation for the thought – and were drawn to it —but rejected it and maybe even turned to God : again a sign not full consent.
C. But what if one has a tempting thought --say of a sexual nature and even hesitated for a moment…but then rejected it for one did not want to sin? : it can be partial consent perhaps (and thus a venial sin)-- or it may be no sin at all but rather a strong temptation that drew you but then you saw what was happening and turned away.
D. A temptation can even be very strong or the thoughts very often – but this does NOT mean one has consented! so worry not…even it they go on for a long time…
remember --for it to be mortal there must be that deliberate consent!
What to do? on the spiritual side–relax first of all and remember the above.
Next – know that the more one fears the thoughts the more likely they are to come… or said another way --the more a person seeks to avoid the thoughts the more likely he will have a problem with them. (but do not worry about this either!)
for example: for the next 10 seconds try NOT to think of an apple.
tick tock …
tick tock…
Ok what did you think of? Most likely an apple.
So it is best to ignore them and just not consent and then turn your attention to some other good thing…for instance whatever you are doing. Simply do not consent and move on. and do not worry
another point – thoughts can just happen --they are the stuff with which we think…it is up to us to consent and take them further or not. and just because they are REAL VIVID and almost “think themselves” does not mean per se that one has given ANY consent.
they can be annoying…but need cause no actual harm …
(Now difficulties with thoughts can happen to anyone…and has for centuries…nothing new!..but I will note too that “some” have a condition known as OCD (I knew someone with this once…it was a painful experience)…and thus should seek further professional help to work at overcoming it and to live a more peaceful life)
Another help…is the distinction between “first thoughts and emotions” (as Baur calls em) what they call the prima of the prima…“the first of the first” (as one of my Professors called em…he was a Dominican)…these are involuntary things that just come up…such are not sins. They can tempt one of course to sin…or one can then proceed to some sin…but they are the stuff of the mind and emotions which “happen to one” …and really the are opportunities for growing in virtue etc as well…
How to deal with these? First of relax…don’t scruple…don’t fear them…to try to swat them all as the come…just simply turn to other things…or the thing you are doing…or to God…(of course do not consent)…but if you are too defensive against them…they may get worse actually…and confuse you more…instead turn to God or again other good things…accept that hey…somethings wild thoughts will come to you…
(and these can happen to all of us by the way…)
There is a story from the desert of the early Centuries of the Church where a younger hermit when to an older one with the problems of thoughts happening to him all the time…the older hermit told him to go outside open his cloak and catch the wind.
The younger hermit said such is not possible…
the older hermit replied --neither is it possible to stop all the thoughts that can come to you…your choice is to say “yes” or “no”.
So relax about “unwanted thoughts”…sometimes they just come…you know like unwanted phone calls from politicitians and salepersons etc…but you can always say “no thank you” or just ignore the call and go about your business
Regarding thoughts
while Jesus makes it clear that one can sin in ones thoughts…just cause some lustful thought happens does not mean that one sinned…
(and one can have a sufficiently good reason to think about sexual matters…for instance studying moral theology…but care must be taken to avoid things that would be a problem…but that is another question)
What should we do with* unwanted* sexual thoughts or other bad thoughts…thoughts against God etc? Those pesky temptations that can come …even though we are not seeking them etc…
(there are of course some things we should avoid that cause them…and there can be sin if it is something one should reasonably avoid…but often they come uninvited)
First…Relax. Do not worry.
Now are they mortal sins?
For a mortal sin one needs a grave matter …full knowledge AND deliberate consent!!!
A. If you do not want the thought…it the thought displeases you: it can be a sign actually that you did not give consent or do not give full consent.
B. Even if you felt a temptation for the thought – and were drawn to it —but rejected it and maybe even turned to God : again a sign not full consent.
C. But what if one has a tempting thought --say of a sexual nature and even hesitated for a moment…but then rejected it for one did not want to sin? : it can be partial consent perhaps (and thus a venial sin)-- or it may be no sin at all but rather a strong temptation that drew you but then you saw what was happening and turned away.
D. A temptation can even be very strong or the thoughts very often – but this does NOT mean one has consented! so worry not…even it they go on for a long time…
remember --for it to be mortal there must be that deliberate consent!
What to do? on the spiritual side–relax first of all and remember the above.
Next – know that the more one fears the thoughts the more likely they are to come… or said another way --the more a person seeks to avoid the thoughts the more likely he will have a problem with them. (but do not worry about this either!)
for example: for the next 10 seconds try NOT to think of an apple.
tick tock …
tick tock…
Ok what did you think of? Most likely an apple.
So it is best to ignore them and just not consent and then turn your attention to some other good thing…for instance whatever you are doing. Simply do not consent and move on. and do not worry
another point – thoughts can just happen --they are the stuff with which we think…it is up to us to consent and take them further or not. and just because they are REAL VIVID and almost “think themselves” does not mean per se that one has given ANY consent.
they can be annoying…but need cause no actual harm …
(Now difficulties with thoughts can happen to anyone…and has for centuries…nothing new!..but I will note too that “some” have a condition known as OCD (I knew someone with this once…it was a painful experience)…and thus should seek further professional help to work at overcoming it and to live a more peaceful life)
Another help…is the distinction between “first thoughts and emotions” (as Baur calls em) what they call the prima of the prima…“the first of the first” (as one of my Professors called em…he was a Dominican)…these are involuntary things that just come up…such are not sins. They can tempt one of course to sin…or one can then proceed to some sin…but they are the stuff of the mind and emotions which “happen to one” …and really the are opportunities for growing in virtue etc as well…
How to deal with these? First of relax…don’t scruple…don’t fear them…to try to swat them all as the come…just simply turn to other things…or the thing you are doing…or to God…(of course do not consent)…but if you are too defensive against them…they may get worse actually…and confuse you more…instead turn to God or again other good things…accept that hey…somethings wild thoughts will come to you…
(and these can happen to all of us by the way…)
There is a story from the desert of the early Centuries of the Church where a younger hermit when to an older one with the problems of thoughts happening to him all the time…the older hermit told him to go outside open his cloak and catch the wind.
The younger hermit said such is not possible…
the older hermit replied --neither is it possible to stop all the thoughts that can come to you…your choice is to say “yes” or “no”.
So relax about “unwanted thoughts”…sometimes they just come…you know like unwanted phone calls from politicitians and salepersons etc…but you can always say “no thank you” or just ignore the call and go about your business
B
Bookcat
Guest
When one is tempted…
Some signs that one lacked consent or gave only “partial consent”:
If even though there was some instinctive pleasure …we do not want it…we are unhappy or horrified about the evil…or struggle to not be overcome …we turn to God in Prayer --these are some signs of no consent (if of course we stay in this stage…and do not later consent)
(For example some thoughts come out of the blue just cause one happened to see an attractive person…and one does not want the thoughts but turns to God in Prayer or is horrified by them and turns to something else etc…no matter how much they come back…if one does not consent at all…there is no sin…but rather possibly growth in virtues)
If one hesitates for a moment but then does not want to sin and so rejects it and does not give full consent (thus a fault against prudence)
If one resists but the resistance is half hearted…one does resist but it is weak or slow…but in the end one rejects it…such would seem to be half consent and thus venial
Of course if one then gives in and gives full consent…then such can be mortal…remember…partial consent or half consent is not full consent…and thus not mortal.
(Based on A Tanquery… he bases things on S. Augustine…but much of this is simply repeated in various places…for it is the basics in judging such)
It is important to relax…and flee
Some signs that one lacked consent or gave only “partial consent”:
If even though there was some instinctive pleasure …we do not want it…we are unhappy or horrified about the evil…or struggle to not be overcome …we turn to God in Prayer --these are some signs of no consent (if of course we stay in this stage…and do not later consent)
(For example some thoughts come out of the blue just cause one happened to see an attractive person…and one does not want the thoughts but turns to God in Prayer or is horrified by them and turns to something else etc…no matter how much they come back…if one does not consent at all…there is no sin…but rather possibly growth in virtues)
If one hesitates for a moment but then does not want to sin and so rejects it and does not give full consent (thus a fault against prudence)
If one resists but the resistance is half hearted…one does resist but it is weak or slow…but in the end one rejects it…such would seem to be half consent and thus venial
Of course if one then gives in and gives full consent…then such can be mortal…remember…partial consent or half consent is not full consent…and thus not mortal.
(Based on A Tanquery… he bases things on S. Augustine…but much of this is simply repeated in various places…for it is the basics in judging such)
It is important to relax…and flee
J
jeanne71350
Guest
HAIL MARYS. Can’t encourage it enough. I probably say hundreds of Ave’s in my mind every day to block out bad thoughts. Our Lady, when called upon, will always go get her heavenly broom and tell the nagging nasty thoughts to SHOOOO! (that’s how I picture it…lol)
Also, a prayer that helps me is “Spirit of ______ (whatever is troubling you), in the name of Jesus and Mary, I command you to be brought to the foot of the cross to be judged by the Lord” I normally repeat it 3 or 4 times and it helps
God Bless!
-J
Also, a prayer that helps me is “Spirit of ______ (whatever is troubling you), in the name of Jesus and Mary, I command you to be brought to the foot of the cross to be judged by the Lord” I normally repeat it 3 or 4 times and it helps
God Bless!
-J
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Loboto-Me
Guest
I was listening to the radio one day and the man who was being interviewed on Relevant Radio (I believe he was associated with exorsism) said to say this short prayer exactly “I claim the protection of the blood of the Lamb”
He said whenever we are tempted or anxious, to say this prayer. He said to say it exactly as above. So I wrote the words down, not really believing that these words were that powerful but well… just in case right?
One night I was anxious and not feeling right for some reason, and I said the prayer… just in case right? I repeated it 3 times, and I felt comforted. I couldn’t believe it!
I’ve claimed the protection of the blood of the Lamb several times and in several situations… including impure thoughts. At times I only need to say it a few times, and at other times I need to repeat several times, but always… the thoughts, fears, anxieties seem to melt away.
Try it… just in case
He said whenever we are tempted or anxious, to say this prayer. He said to say it exactly as above. So I wrote the words down, not really believing that these words were that powerful but well… just in case right?
One night I was anxious and not feeling right for some reason, and I said the prayer… just in case right? I repeated it 3 times, and I felt comforted. I couldn’t believe it!
I’ve claimed the protection of the blood of the Lamb several times and in several situations… including impure thoughts. At times I only need to say it a few times, and at other times I need to repeat several times, but always… the thoughts, fears, anxieties seem to melt away.
Try it… just in case
R
raaucoin
Guest
I pray the Hail Mary and imagine the Blessed Mother. I visualize what it is that I think She would look like. Sometimes the unwanted images don’t go away imediately. But they sure don’t hang around long. It is really hard for me to entertain two totally opposite images at the same time. One brings me shame, guilt and feeling “yucky”. the other brings me peace, joy, and a feeling of holiness. Not real difficult even for my brain to decide which to focus on!
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
For males especially, what we view is how we most often feed the desires of the flesh.
In another thread I had shared the story of a tribal folk lore, where a son had come to his father and asked what struggles he has had to deal with in life.
The father answered his son by telling him, inside of me there are two wolves. One is full of compassion, honesty and bravery. The other is full of lust, greed, jealousy and hatred.
The son asked the father, which wolf is the strongest? The father answered, the one I feed.
So it applies to the verse I quote above from Romans.
Be on guard on what you’re feeding yourself internally. For if your feeding the evil wolf, he’ll be stronger than the good wolf.
Jim
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Lief_Erikson
Guest
If it happens and you don’t want it, and you don’t consent to the presence of the thoughts in your head but rather resist them, and you aren’t taking pleasure in their presence but rather are unhappy that they are there, then you are not sinning, even though the thought is in your mind. So you can have that consolation, though it is necessary to keep resisting and fighting the thoughts!
Things that helped me a TON were cutting out of my life as many situations as I can where I might be tempted. For instance, I don’t watch TV. I carefully watch only those movies in which women are modestly clothed. I don’t go to swimming pools or the beach where women might be in bikinis. I don’t browse the Internet but only go to places where I am sure I’ll be safe, with rare exceptions. To describe the exceptional circumstance briefly: I avoid news sites because on the news there are stories about rapes or other things that might create inappropriate thoughts in me, and which I would read for titillation rather than true sympathy or prayer. However, when a huge news event is taking place and I become aware of it, something that I really should know about, I’ll return to the news but be careful.
Jesus said, “if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.” So that’s what I do. It REALLY helps. It hurt to make all these sacrifices, but the Lord rewarded my offering by giving me great grace to protect me from impure thoughts.
Of course there are situations outside of my control where I still get confronted with impure images, but because of the great grace the Lord gave me after my sacrifice, I am much more capable now of turning my eyes immediately away from the bad image, and have a much greater resistance.
I’m very happy without all the things I lost, now that I’ve gotten used to this lifestyle. I still feel sad sometimes, when family members turn on a movie I really like but cannot watch anymore. But I’ve gotten used to it, for the most part, and it doesn’t feel as painful as it used to. And the spiritual rewards have been HUGE.
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