Keeping busy to avoid sin?

[LDNCatholic]

Is keeping busy with either good (charity work) or morally neutral (sports training) activities a good way to avoid sinful thoughts?

Is it effective?

Is it the right way to do it?

I ask because outwardly I do not do much sinning, but I am always thinking sinful (lust, violence, anger, avarice) thoughts. I am having small success just ignoring it but I was wondering if the right way to go about it is to ignore it or to focus my energy on other things?

Thanks in advance and God bless

Peter

 

[InLight247]

Keeping self busy and concentrating on what one is doing may have effect on avoiding sinning; however, keep on praying and practicing the presence of God, dwelling one’s thoughts on God, and things to do with God, thinking about whatever is good, whatever is noble, whatever is pure… is the way to go.

God bless!

 

[d_floyd77]

I too have the same kind of problems as you. I can be a bit neurotic and compulsive in my thinking too.

I think the best thing to do is just remind yourself that you desire to work past it. Realize that the thought is not in your will, and if it is in your will take it out.

I’m a new Catholic but in Reconciliation this weekend the priest told me that routine receiving of the Sacraments, Holy Communion, Reconciliation, really does help and heal those kind of thoughts.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Yeah I’m planning to start weekly confession and adoration as well as daily Mass, I know that keeping busy is no alternative to prayer, but is it OK to do that to supplement prayer, like in the down time between formal prayer so to speak. See I’m thinking along the lines of ‘‘the Devil makes work for idle hands’’ so if my hands are never idle I can hopefully reduce the sinful thoughts which even present themselves when I pray sometimes, though much less frequently.

Oh and thanks to the pair of you for answering so quickly .

 

[quiet52]

Thinking of the sisters of Lazarus and close friends of Jesus, Martha and Mary of Bethany, I like to emulate them both. Martha’s “busy-ness” (service) was good – but only if it took second place to Mary’s seeking to be in our Lord’s presence and to savor His Word.

 

[kimaz]

I have always been taught that the devils hates hard work and laughter (I think its an Irish thing). I know it can’t make him happy to see me using my God given talents cheerfully, which I have always been told is in it self giving praise to God.

I know how you feel, I often have problems with my mind wandering to sin (usually doubting). In addition to what I said above, I usually try to pray the Rosary everyday, it has helped me a lot.