How to get bad images out of the mind

[5992921]

I recently looked at some inappropriate images for essentially the first time. I felt really bad about it and went to confession. As a young man, I thought i was being very sexually pure but I fell and was humbled by my weakness. But now I want to get the images out of my mind. Any advice? also, I feel like I cheated on my future spouse, and I just feel like I won’t deserve the girl I marry because of this. what can I do? I feel like a creep.

 

[drac16]

Try to set your mind on something that’s inspiring. There are images in the Bible that can fight off sexual thoughts. There may be images that are more powerful to you than to me, but you need to find out what they are. The battle with lust is in the mind, so if you are seeking to fight it, you have to use your mind. One of the images that often stirs my soul is the prophet Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6.

 

[Agnus-Dei]

This will go against typical thought. Intensely think about those images without looking again. Remembering every single detail for as long as possible. Recognize the wrong, and why it is wrong. Then, when you get disgusted with them seeing what they are, let it go. Do not go back. Move on to better things.
Sometimes trying too hard to forget makes the problem worse.
Dominus vobiscum

 

[sorrowful1]

When my mind is directed towards inappropriate thinking (not lust but something like remembering a person who has offended me etc) I immediately look at Jesus’ or Mother Mary’s images and incite short prayers until I’m free of those thoughts.

 

[Zaccheus]

If you don’t want them you’re not sinning: you’re being tempted.

To get rid of unwanted thoughts, replace them with other thoughts. Scripture passages lauding purity sound like a good idea.

If you’re a Catholic-- try prayers to the Blessed Virgin, or reading or thinking about her life.

God’s blessing on you.

 

[Bluebright]

Firstly, don’t try to do it on your own, you can’t. Ask God to help you. You can ask him via his saints but do ask him. A very good intercessor is St Joseph since he was a chaste man, a virgin living with the two holiest people who ever existed ( well God in the flesh and the holiest human ever) and he is known for his piety. Wednesday is the day masses are dedicated to St Joseph so why not light a votive candle for him at home if you are watching a streamed mass or at church if you are allowed to attend to pray or attend mass. Until then pray and ask him for his help in maintaining your purity of mind and chastity. It goes without saying don’t look at these things again and if you think of them call on God or a saint immediately.

Also trust in God. Your sins have been forgotten so stop thinking of them, ask God for the grace of forgetfulness which helps you forget your sins but not that you are a sinner and undeserving of all he gives you thereby attaining the humility. God bless you.

 

[5992921]

yes, with God’s help I will never ever do this again. I have been very self controlled with these things in the past so I think with God’s grace I can do it.

Did I cheat on my future wife? I feel like she won’t want to marry me because of this. Any advice?

 

[OnWings]

It sounds like you’ve done everything you needed to do, you repented and went to confession. Yet the feeling of worry is still there. This is now the thing you need to break free from. You need to stop thinking about this and move on, which can be hard to do when you’re in the midst of it. Go for a walk, listen to music, or watch a movie. Just do something else for a while. See if this helps.