Issue regarding temptation

[ACanthony]

Hello all. I have struggled mightily in the past with the sins of masturbation and pornography. By the grace of our Lord, I am doing well with those sins. It is still part of my cross, but God is helping me so much. When Jesus said if your eye is causing you to sin, pluck it out, well, I have. I have no access to pornography on my computer and have set my environment up so it would be real hard for me to fall to these particular sins (granted, there is way more to the Christian life than just overcoming one problem area). My question/problem is this. Sometimes in my weak moments (tired and at night and this will come up when I haven’t had the best of days…this was the case last night), since I do not have access to pornography, in my weak times it is still a major temptation and the devil tempts me with the idea of pornography though I have no access to it. During these weak times I start to look at websites that I know are not pornography, but at the same time, I know are not helpful to my walk with God (you can still find images that are not good for you even if you have no access to such garbage). I stop myself before it leads to any self gratification, but upon waking up and realizing that I was majorly tempted the night before, it feels like I committed a sin. I do not know if this is a trick of the devil or not. Of course I’d like to never be tempted and to only look at pure things online of course, but in this case, I am not sure if I did something wrong or if it’s just human nature to be tempted and start to think about pursuing those temptations. Thank you.

 

[Kontrak]

Like Jesus says, “Peace be with.” I am heartened to hear you are fighting impurity so strongly. I would like to tell you that what you mentioned isn’t dangerous but from what I read I think it is. I think you’re tempting yourself even though it doesn’t seem so bad to you now. One day you’ll think back and wonder why you were hanging on to this.

Take heart, through the grace of God you are healing. Have faith that this is just the beginning of His work in you. We are not strong. God is!

I think you need to fill the void in your heart left by sin with what it was made to be filled with. God. Then you won’t feel like you are missing something anymore.

The thing that concerns me is you’re tempted when you haven’t had your best of days or are tired (to paraphrase).

Pray the rosary my friend especially during these times! I urge you to pray it daily against the sin of impurity. Speaking from my own experience you will be amazed! Your temptations will lessen significantly and you will grown closer to God.

I hope this makes some sense. God bless.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

A wise old Irish priest told me years ago, “until the reason not to commit the sin becomes stronger than the desire, you’ll struggle with the temptation.”

Of course, the way to strengthen the reason is through prayer, because it is through prayer that we develop the loving relationship with Jesus Christ, that will have us avoid offending him, even in the little things.

Takes time and of course, biological aging will reduce the temptations.

Jim

 

[JFJK]

Struggling with this too.
What I observed on myself:

1. My addiction to pornography was linked to addiction to aimlessly browsing the Internet (or to browsing the Internet without a clear time-constraint and clear focus). It often started like this: 1. I search for a research article, 2. The research article takes longer time to download, 3. I hop-off to a news website, 4. I find myself typing ‘sex’ in google.
2. The temptation was strongest when I had lack of sleep
3. What only helped was disposing off the computer and cutting myself off any internet connection at home. I only use Internet at work (I share my office with colleagues) or in public places like internet cafes where I’d be ashamed to look at these things.

 

[ACanthony]

Thank you all for your imput!

I hate to be scrupulous about this, but I guess my question is: is this a venial sin or does this constitute a moral sin? I went to Mass today and received Jesus because I know receiving Him wipes away all venial sin.

Is it a venial or mortal sin if someone looks at nude images…things to consider: the past pornographic addiction, that it is late at night, the person catches themselves in the temptation after 5 minutes and then turns to the Lord? I think I was tempted, started to act on the temptation which constitutes venial sin, but there was no consent of my will to go any further. Any advice is much appreciated. I do not take my sins lightly so as you can imagine, I am a little troubled in this instance.

 

[Patrick1540]

Hello all. I have struggled mightily in the past with the sins of masturbation and pornography. By the grace of our Lord, I am doing well with those sins. It is still part of my cross, but God is helping me so much. When Jesus said if your eye is causing you to sin, pluck it out, well, I have. I have no access to pornography on my computer and have set my environment up so it would be real hard for me to fall to these particular sins (granted, there is way more to the Christian life than just overcoming one problem area). My question/problem is this. Sometimes in my weak moments (tired and at night and this will come up when I haven’t had the best of days…this was the case last night), since I do not have access to pornography, in my weak times it is still a major temptation and the devil tempts me with the idea of pornography though I have no access to it. During these weak times I start to look at websites that I know are not pornography, but at the same time, I know are not helpful to my walk with God (you can still find images that are not good for you even if you have no access to such garbage). I stop myself before it leads to any self gratification, but upon waking up and realizing that I was majorly tempted the night before, it feels like I committed a sin. I do not know if this is a trick of the devil or not. Of course I’d like to never be tempted and to only look at pure things online of course, but in this case, I am not sure if I did something wrong or if it’s just human nature to be tempted and start to think about pursuing those temptations. Thank you.

Jim gave good advice here. We all deal with temptations of the flesh. If we focus on God, those temptations will go away. Peter, walk on the water, as long as he was focus, was on Jesus.If we focus on Heavenly things, the evil one has no power over us. Sacramental Grace, comes as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul said the spirit(soul) is willing, but the flesh is weak.I do not depend on self, for as humans(flesh) we are weak. My dependence, is on the Holy Spirit, who strengthens me. I pray to the Holy Spirit, all the time,to put me into Spiritual things, and take these desires of the flesh from me.Offering up the Eucharist helps to. When we surrender ourselves, to the Holy Spirit, he comforts us, and strengthens us, from the flesh.This Sacramental gift, was given to us at Confirmation, why not use it, to over come temptation.It has worked for me.That is why Paul calls us to be in the Spirit(Holy Spirit).He is there for us, always praying on our behalf.Like I said, it really works for me, and put on some good spiritual music.Watch the results.The Sacraments give grace, to over come anything, through the Holy Spirit. Remember, we shall over come by the Blood of the Lamb,the Spirit of God.Next time you feel temptation coming,break open your Bible, read Psalms or Proverbs, you’ll reflect on Heavenly things.Just my advice on what works for me.
God Bless

 

[Kontrak]

Thank you all for your imput!

I hate to be scrupulous about this, but I guess my question is: is this a venial sin or does this constitute a moral sin? I went to Mass today and received Jesus because I know receiving Him wipes away all venial sin.

Is it a venial or mortal sin if someone looks at nude images…things to consider: the past pornographic addiction, that it is late at night, the person catches themselves in the temptation after 5 minutes and then turns to the Lord? I think I was tempted, started to act on the temptation which constitutes venial sin, but there was no consent of my will to go any further. Any advice is much appreciated. I do not take my sins lightly so as you can imagine, I am a little troubled in this instance.

You weren’t sure. When you go to confession let the priest advise you not us. And grow in the resolve to keep your eyes and your thoughts pure. Let God do the rest.