Help with overcoming masturbation

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Hello I’m new to the forums. I actually joined here so I could ask this question, but I love discussing my relatively new (been 3 years since my conversion from Anglicanism) Catholic faith, so I’m sure I’ll get to be a regular here in time.

I’m 17 and i got into the habit of masturbation about 5 years ago by accident. It gradually got worse and worse until I was doing it nearly every day. After becoming catholic, I realized just how bad what I was doing was. Through frequent confession, reception of the blessed sacrament, other meditations like the rosary which I pray every day, and completely doing away with porography, I got the addiction down to more of a habit which I do every 3-4 weeks. But that’s the problem. Up until about 1 year ago, I could see myself gradually getting more and more free of the habit, but then I seemed to plateau at about every 3-4 weeks. I just don’t seem to be able to shake this vice off. I’m getting really sick of confessing this sin again and again, and if anyone has any advice as to how to get rid of this evil, it would be greatly appreciated. Prayer would be apperciated, too.

Thanks much!
 
Hey I am also 17 and was in your exact situation, it’s hard and this worked for me and may not for you but what I did I changed all my music to Christian music. I found a relationship to pop music and masturbation in my life. Then I thought of a physical image in my mind of the si(for me it was my laptop)and and slowly I tried to beat up and eventually as i prayed more often and was no longer affected by pop music, i made the laptop dissappear and replaced it with a crucifix. Also frequent Mass and confession. Daily Mass if you can make it is a great helper. Try to make one day out of the week to go. I pray that you overcome this destructive sin. If you have any questions or anything feel free to message me. God bless
 
I had this sinful habit for over 15 years and struggled very much with it. By going to confession every week I got even sicker of it, as you say, by having to confess it again and again. I once watched an abortion video, which showed every detail of the womens vaginal area and the exact procedure. I was terrified, but that is exactly what I needed. Masturbation is a pleasure, which for me, was always triggered through imagining myself having sex with some good looking “girl” and mainly triggered by pornography. If we men can not control our sexuality it will come back very hard on us by being responsible for all the abortions that take place. That is in my mind and it should not leave my mind for one moment. The devil wants to possess our sexuality, but we have given it to Jesus. I also pray to St, Joseph now more than ever. I never had so much respect for St. Joseph before. Today is the feast day of St. Benedict, the father of monastic life. St. Benedict, pray for us. Sorrowful Mother of God, pray for us, St. Philomena, patron of virgins, pray for us.
 
Hi,

Welcome to CAF!

It seems to me that you have done very well to overcome this as much as you have. You probably don’t feel that way, but I think that most of your confessors will be telling you the same thing. Accept their encouragement. Never be discouraged from going to confession repeatedly for the same fault.

This and similar questions are common here, and at the top of this forum (in which you posted) you will see two permanent threads dedicated to the topic.

forum.catholic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31
 
Here are a few choice remarks of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, who wrote Visitations to the Blessed
Sacrament and to the Virgin Mary, and The Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection.

“…let us not go to him for little and valueless things, but let us ask some GREAT thing of
him: You seek from the Almighty – seek something GREAT. If a man went to a king to ask some trumpery coin, like a farthing, I think, that man would but insult his king. On the other
hand, we honor God, we honor his mercy, and his liberality, when, though we see how
miserable we are, and how unworthy of any kindness, we yet ask for GREAT GRACES, TRUSTING in the goodness of God, and in his faithfulness to his promises of granting to the man who prays WHATEVER GRACE he asks: Whatsoever you will, ask, and it shall be done unto you (Jn 15,7).”

“… But God, when he is asked, gives his good things “ABUNDANTLY,” that is, with a generous hand, always GIVING MORE than is asked, because his wealth is infinite, and the more he gives the more he has to give: For you, O Lord, are sweet and mild; and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon you (Ps.,85,5). You, O my God, said David, are but too liberal and
kind to him that invokes you; the mercies which you pour upon him are SUPERABUNDANT, above all he asks.”

“… On this point, then, we have to fix all our attention, namely, to pray with CONFIDENCE,
feeling sure that by prayer all the treasures of heaven are thrown open to us.”

Here is some important info about the Miraculous Medal, one of Mother Teresa’s
favorites, which is the application of St. Alphonsus’ words.

The mother of Jesus spoke to sister Catherine Laboure in 1830 with these words:
“Have a medal struck… All who wear it will receive GREAT graces; they should wear it
around the neck. GRACES will ABOUND for persons who wear it with CONFIDENCE.”
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           Later Mary said, “... it must be given to the whole world and to every person.”
During this apparition, Mary’s hands had 3 rings on each finger. Each ring gave off
rays of colored light. A few rings did not. Mary said that the lights radiating from
the rings are graces that people ASK for. The rings that didn’t radiate she said
were graces not given because they were NOT asked for.

Have it blessed. Wear the medal in her honor at all times. When needed say,
“Mary, thank you for your gift to me, please help me now with those great graces you promised to obtain for those who ask.”
She promised and she is immaculate so she will keep her words, “GRACES will ABOUND for persons who wear it with CONFIDENCE.”

“The devotions we practice in honor of the glorious Virgin Mary, however trifling they be,
are very pleasing to her divine Son, …” St. Teresa of Jesus

The medal is called Miraculous, and the picture on it is “Our Lady of Grace”.

“Great graces are often attached to what seems trifling.” St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
[legionofmary.org/MiracMedal.html](http://www.legionofmary.org/MiracMedal.html)
 
I cannot offer a great deal of advice except that which helped me.

I developed a “visual prayer”…After all, if we can “visualize” toward lust - why not “visualize” away from it…
So I prayed, “Father, take me to the foot of the cross”, and then began thinking, visualizing myself there. Gazing on the scene of teh one who died for my sins.
Hot, dry, dusty day.
The foot of the cross buried in the ground.
The wood of the cross stained black from blood and sweat.
The feet of our Lord.
Filthy and stained and dripping blood and sweat.
I did this - I put Him there - Not alone - but I helped.
Every time I sin, it is increases His pain.
If I refrain, it eases His pain.
Feel the heat of that day, the dryness of the air.
How thirsty He is…
…and so on…

How could I possibly sin while standing at the foot of the cross.
 
Prayer Against the Sins of the Flesh:
Jesus said this to a visionary:

(“Do you know that I was naked in the sight of all men so that you shall defeat and kill the desires of the flesh which lead to this sin of fornication and adultery? Children, my adversary used this sin to claim all men to himself — Any sinner who constantly prays this prayer will gain true repentance — The more you pray it the more many will return to me and leave fornication and adultery. Many people will be lost due to the sins of the flesh. Work hard to save souls —”)
…

Prayer:
Holy and Merciful Father, Your only-begotten Son is standing naked in the sight of all men, so that Your people will know and fear Your Holy Law. Accept my humble prayer for all Your people who are living under iniquity, fornication and adultery, that through all the shame and disgrace of Your only-begotten Son, You will touch their lives for repentance and save them. May they, through the Precious Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, which I plead to fall on their hearts, gain repentance and be saved and through His shame make them bold for repentance. Amen.

Think of Jesus who was naked on the cross dying,bleeding,scourged,wounded,and his skin torn and shred to pieces and exposing bones.He died because of our sins,and most importantly because he loved us all.
 
You are made in the Image of God,and your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.Everyday say this ‘‘Jesus is the Lord of my life’’ ‘‘And No evil forces has power over me.’’ ‘‘Jesus is my protector and defender,Jesus is my God and in Him I Trust.’’

Also say this, take your full name first then say ‘‘my name is written in the Book of Salvation by my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’’

Always Claim Jesus as your Lord,because Satan hates when you invoke Jesus as Lord.Also before getting tempted think of Jesus naked on the cross and say ‘‘Most Precious Blood of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ quench the flames of my lust’’ When temptation comes near you,look or think of Our Lord Jesus Christ on cross who was naked,bruised,scourged,blood covering his body as he died for our sins,because he loves everyone in the world.
 
PRAYER TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

LORD Jesus by faith in Your merits,
I now take Your Precious Blood
and sprinkle it over myself and my family
right from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet.
I claim total and complete protection for my life and my family.
Lord Jesus, keep me free today from evil, sin, temptation,
Satan’s attacks and afflictions,
fear of darkness, fear of man,
sickness, diseases, doubts, anger, all calamities
and from all that is not of Your Kingdom.

Fill me Lord Jesus with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit
and grant me the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, understanding and discernment, so that I will live today in Your Glory by doing what is right.

I praise You Jesus, I thank You Jesus,

I love You Jesus, I adore You Jesus.
 
Prayer of Salvation (Renew Faith in Jesus Christ)
Lord Jesus come into my heart. I desire that you be the Lord of my life, so that I may be a Child of the Light, to know you as my personal Savior- for I know and believe that you died on the cross for my sings. You rose again from the dead on the third day and you are coming again in glory.
I believe in your forgiveness and I desire that You help me to refrain from any temptations that would keep me separated from Your everlasting love. Amen
 
ARMOR OF GOD

Good Morning, Father! Good Morning, Jesus! Good Morning, Holy Spirit!

Today Heavenly Father, according to Your Word, I present my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in Your sight. Because I am not contending against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, world rulers of this present darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, I take the whole armor of God so that I may be able to withstand in the evil day. So today I stand and gird my loins with truth. I put on the breastplate of righteousness. I shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all these, I take the shield of faith to quench ALL the flaming darts of the evil one. I take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I pray at ALL times in the Spirit with ALL prayer and supplication for ALL God’s family and for me that I may open my mouth boldly TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL. The weapons of my warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Today I destroy arguments and EVERY proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take EVERY thought captive to OBEY Christ. Thank you, Father, that according to Your Word the glory of the Lord is my rear guard. I praise You and thank You for the armor of light You’ve provided for me this day. I am completely covered now. Upon Jesus I have built my life. The gates of hell shall not prevail against me. Jesus, I apply Your Precious Blood to my life, my family, my home, and all my possessions. You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. For You have supplied ALL my needs according to Your riches in glory. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. I praise You for walking in divine health, for You are my God who heals ALL my diseases. I praise You and thank You for my prosperity and good health even as my soul prospers. For the joy of the Lord is my strength. Father, I have prayed according to Your Word. You said You would watch over Your Word to perform it. I am reminded that every word spoken becomes a living thing - either to minister life or death and destruction. Lord Jesus, let my meditation be sweet to You as I will rejoice in You all day. Just rise up and live big within me. For I am Yours and You are mine in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen
 
Rosary of Liberation
You are recommended to recite the Rosary of Liberation for experiencing deliverance from various bondages like sin, satanic powers, bad habits, financial crisis, family problems etc., It is said in the Bible " She will bear a Son, and you shall call his name JESUS, for He will SAVE His people from their sins".( Matthew 1:21) Jesus is the Saviour. Therefore the name Jesus is not a noun form alone, it is also a verb denoting an action which means when you utter the name JESUS you are proclaiming and praying “God save me and all others from our sins”.
Jesus said “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is slave to sin. The slave doesn’t continue in the house forever; the Son continues forever. So, If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. (John 8:34-36)
"As He drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing the multitude going by he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by”. And he cried "Jesus. Son of David, have mercy on me……. and Jesus said to him “Receive you sight; your faith has made you well”. And immediately he received his sight and followed him glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it gave praise to God. (Luke 18: 35-43)

When we recite the Rosary of liberation, claim the promise of Jesus as we see in the Bible.
Jesus is the Saviour (Matthew 1:21)
Jesus is the Healer (Mark 1: 32-34)
He is the Liberator (John 8:36)
Jesus is the God of Mercy (Luke 18:38)
Jesus said “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you”. (Matthew 7:7)
I claim this promise and say…………
1.Recite the Apostle’s Creed at the Triangle of the Rosary
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
2. Recite the following in place of the Hail Mary
Jesus have mercy on me
Jesus heal me
Jesus save me
Jesus free me
3. Recite the following in place of the Our Father
If Jesus makes me free
I will be free indeed
4. Recite the Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail, our life, or sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
If you are praying for a special person replace “me” in the prayer with the name of the “person you are praying for”.
After praying the Rosary of Liberation completely give thanks to Jesus for the Blessings that H is pouring over you and for those for whom you are interceding.
Before interceding for anybody you have to pray for yourself.
 
God Bless You and Make Jesus the Lord of Your Life Always and Forever.
 
CHAPTER 13 – On Resisting Temptations [The Imitation of Christ]
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So long as we live in this world, we cannot remain without trial and temptation: as Job says, “Man's life on earth is a warfare.” We must therefore be on guard against temptations, and watchful in prayer, that the Devil find no means of deceiving us; for he never rests, but prowls around seeking whom he may devour. No one is so perfect and holy that he is never tempted, and we can never be secure from temptation. 

Although temptations are so troublesome and grievous, yet they are often profitable to us, for by them we are humbled, cleansed, and instructed. All the Saints endured manly trials and temptations, and profited by them; but those who could not resist temptations became reprobate, and fell away. There is no Order so holy, nor place so secluded, where there are no troubles and temptations. 

No man can be entirely free from temptation so long as he lives; for the source of temptation lies within our own nature, since we are born with an inclination towards evil. When one temptation or trial draws to a close, another takes its place; and we shall always have something to fight, for man has lost the blessing of original happiness. Many try to escape temptations, only to encounter them more fiercely, for no one can win victory by flight alone; it is only by patience and true humility that we can grow stronger than all our foes. 

The man who only avoids the outward occasions of evil, but fails to uproot it in himself, will gain little advantage. Indeed, temptations will return upon him the sooner, and he will find himself in a worse state than before. Little by little and by patient endurance you will overcome them by God's help, better than by your own violence and importunity. Seek regular advice in temptation, and never deal harshly with those who are tempted, but give them such encouragement as you would value yourself. 

The beginning of all evil temptation is an unstable mind and lack of trust in God. Just as a ship without a helm is driven to and fro by the waves, so a careless man, who abandons his proper course, is tempted in countless ways. Fire tempers steel, and temptation the just man. We often do not know what we can bear, but temptation reveals our true nature. We need especially to be on our guard at the very onset of temptation, for then the Enemy may be more easily overcome, if he is not allowed to enter the gates of the mind: he must be repulsed at the threshold, as soon as he knocks. Thus the poet Ovid writes, “Resist at the beginning; the remedy may come too late.” For first there comes into the mind an evil thought: next, a vivid picture: then delight, and urge to evil, and finally consent. In this way the Enemy gradually gains complete mastery, when he is not resisted at first. And the longer a slothful man delays resistance, the weaker he becomes, and the stronger his enemy grows against him. 

Some people undergo their heaviest temptations at the beginning of their conversion; some towards the end of their course; others are greatly troubled all their lives; while there are some whose temptations are but light. This is in accordance with the wisdom and justice of God's ordinance, who weighs the condition and merits of every man, and disposes all things for the salvation of those whom He chooses. 

We must not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but earnestly pray God to grant us his help in every need. For, as Saint Paul says, “With the temptation, God will provide a way to overcome it, that we may be able to bear bear it.” So, let us humble ourselves under the hand of God, in every trial and trouble, for He will save and raise up the humble in Spirit. In all these trials, our progress is tested; in them great merit may be secured, and our virtue become evident. It is no great matter if we are devout and fervent when we have no troubles; but if we show patience in adversity, we can make great progress in virtue. Some are spared severe temptations, but are overcome in the lesser ones of every day, in order that they may be humble, and learn not to trust in themselves, but to recognize their frailty.
 
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