How to deal with sinful/evil feelings?

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LillyFaith

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So there are many times throughout the day that I get these sinful feelings… Most of them being on a sexual level. It doesn’t deal with lust or sex exclusively, just so you don’t get the wrong idea, but many times it’s a strong feeling like “Yes, this is how I feel, this is ‘right.’” although my conscious says “This isn’t right and you shouldn’t be having these feelings.” I know I can’t control my feelings, but I can control myself to not act upon them. My problem comes in where I spend time overthinking it and trying to validate my feelings in a way, not to say they are right, but to acknowledge that they are there and realize they are wrong. I don’t mean to be too scrupulous but it makes me feel kind of trapped sometimes. Especially since my thoughts tend to connect with my feelings and try to pull me in the direction of falling into that sin. If you have any advice on how to deal with these feelings right when they come, it would be very appreciated!! Thank you! (Hopefully this wasn’t too confusing.)
 
From how I read it, you’re worried that your feelings will lead you into sin, so you spend time trying to tell yourself the message “this is wrong” to prevent yourself from acting on them?

Might work as a temporary relief albeit a really short one, but doesn’t help. When these feelings come, no matter how strong they are, label them eg “the sexual feeling”, notice they’re there and just let it remain without trying to push the feeling away because this would make the feeling much stronger. Eventually, the feeling would fade away when you’re not paying attention to it eg Recognising the feeling is there, but instead of engaging with it, you carry on with whatever you’re doing

Hope this helps. God bless
 
Mental Prayer can help you slowly remove such faults bit by bit, but it has a specific form. Devotion to Mary and the Eucharist is a good safeguard.
 
YDear LilyFaith,
God made us sensual beings to help procreate the Earth. It’s tough when single or religious to have sensual feelings. Physiologically, even though similar: man to man or woman to woman, we are unique to ourselves. Meaning blood supply near sexual body parts can make 1 person more sensitive than another person.
So,knowing there is a legitimate reason for feeling those feelings, may help you, rethink your thinking. Hormones are involved, also.
Like Macbeth w,”OUT, darn spots, OUT!”
OUT, darn thoughts, OUT!” Then, laugh and think on a safe thought. Look at the weather. Think of future plans. A happy memory.
This is substitution therapy. As you do it, you’ll adapt quicker and feelings will disperse. Memorize scripture verses. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, THROUGH CHRIST, JESUS, WHO STRENGTHENS ME.
THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD, SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH. THEY SHALL MOUNT UP W WINGS AS AN EAGLE. THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY. THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT. TEACH US, LORD, TO WAIT.
Listenbto Christian music all the time. Get a feeling , start singing. MUSIC CALMS THE SAVAGE BEAST.

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

– St. Teresa of Avila
This is a cuteprayer to memorize.
In Christ’s Love
Tweedlealice
 
I don’t think you’ll be able to eliminate sexual thoughts altogether, but you can change how you respond to them. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”.

When you’ve got an image of a woman/man in your mind, have you tried to think on Biblical things? one of the things you can do is to occupy your mind with something other than lust. When lust attacks my mind, I think of Jonah being swallowed by that giant fish, or Isaiah seeing the Lord high and lifted up. Give it a try. There is Biblical imagery that can kill impure images.
 
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