Lustful thoughts

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ATeutonicKnight

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I’ve recently been recovering from an addiction, and although I haven’t failed again (It’s been ten days) I have a problem with lustful thoughts. It’s not my fault completely. Every time I walk into a store like J.C. Penny’s, all of the models on the posters barely have clothes on. And all of the clothes on the racks have very revealing parts to them. Usually, I stare at it for a few seconds and then realize what I’m doing and then suddenly stop. But the problem is, sometimes I can’t get the images out of my head no matter how hard I try. Is this a sin? And if I do fall to this sin, can I receive holy communion still?

Dominus Vobiscum.

:knight1:
 
It would be a sin to willfully entertain such thoughts. If a thought pops into your head and, as soon as you become cogniscent of it, you dismiss it, then there is no sin. Even if you are trying to get rid of the thought and it keeps coming back, there is still no sin as you don’t want this thought and you are trying to not think of it.

On a side note, it is much easier to not think of something by actively thinking about something completely different rather than saying to yourself “don’t think about sex…don’t think about sex…DON’T think about sex!”, which almost inevitably leads you to think about sex! Many people recommend turning thoughts to prayer instead until the tempation passes.
 
Batfink said:
It would be a sin to willfully entertain such thoughts. If a thought pops into your head and, as soon as you become cogniscent of it, you dismiss it, then there is no sin. Even if you are trying to get rid of the thought and it keeps coming back, there is still no sin as you don’t want this thought and you are trying to not think of it.

On a side note, it is much easier to not think of something by actively thinking about something completely different rather than saying to yourself “don’t think about sex…don’t think about sex…DON’T think about sex!”, which almost inevitably leads you to think about sex! Many people recommend turning thoughts to prayer instead until the tempation passes.
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I agree 👍 And pray the rosary. :signofcross: and go to confession! I highly and mean highly recommend those two activities!

God bless,

David
 
What he said above!

Plus, when I am tempted with lustful thoughts, I try to immediately pray five Hail Marys, one for each of my senses, and ask the Blessed Virgin to hide me and protect me with her virginal purity.
 
Keep up the good fight.We are given grace by God when we resist temptations.Over time it does become easier resist lustful thoughts.
 
ATeutonicKnight said:
I’ve recently been recovering from an addiction, and although I haven’t failed again (It’s been ten days) I have a problem with lustful thoughts. It’s not my fault completely. Every time I walk into a store like J.C. Penny’s, all of the models on the posters barely have clothes on. And all of the clothes on the racks have very revealing parts to them. Usually, I stare at it for a few seconds and then realize what I’m doing and then suddenly stop. But the problem is, sometimes I can’t get the images out of my head no matter how hard I try. Is this a sin? And if I do fall to this sin, can I receive holy communion still?

Dominus Vobiscum.

:knight1:
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I’m recovering from the same addiction. At first, the triggers are numerous and quite powerful. Don’t worry, for it will get better. Pray the rosary as much as possible. This is what ultimately started my recovery. I have an ever deepening devotion to Mary, who has been a major help. Remember that this is ultimately all out spiritual warfare. I’ve also found wearing the Miraculous Medal to be of tremendous help.

Most importantly of all, get a prayer routine.
 
I struggle with this sin too, and my confessor told me this which was very comforting. Only things that we bring into our life can cause us to sin. If we go into a store and there are pictures of half-naked women everywhere (of if the women there are half naked) we didn’t ask for that to come into our lives. As long as we turn away or try not to think about it then we are guilty of no mortal sin. Now if we go to a certain store because we know that they have the pictures of the half-naked women everywhere or if we stop and look at the pictures or the women at the mall even though we know it’s sinful then we are guilty of mortal sin. St. Josemaria Escriva said that as long as we don’t consent to the sin than we are not guilty, even if we have the most horrible thoughts as long as we didn’t ask for it and we don’t consent to it we are fine. Something I like to do that I find helps me is to start saying the Jesus prayer whenever I feel tempted by anything, it is short and easy to memorize. This is the Jesus prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” I also like St. Benedict’s prayer when I feel temptation which is, “Get behind me Satan; never suggest vain thoughts to me. The cup you offer is evil, drink the poison yourself!” I hope this helps.
 
=ATeutonicKnight;8008747]I’ve recently been recovering from an addiction, and although I haven’t failed again (It’s been ten days) I have a problem with lustful thoughts. It’s not my fault completely. Every time I walk into a store like J.C. Penny’s, all of the models on the posters barely have clothes on. And all of the clothes on the racks have very revealing parts to them. Usually, I stare at it for a few seconds and then realize what I’m doing and then suddenly stop. But the problem is, sometimes I can’t get the images out of my head no matter how hard I try. Is this a sin? And if I do fall to this sin, can I receive holy communion still?
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Dominus Vobiscum.
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:knight1:
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VERY NORMAL!

Just close you’re eys, get a blind walkers stick and go through life like that:D

NOT even close to being a reasonable action…so WHAT IS?

TRAIN your self to say a BRIRF prayer EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. “Jesus help me”

“Mother Help me” or “Holy Spirit help me” The say THANKS! And go on.

You’re doing GREAT:thumbsup: Stay close to God so God CAN stay close to you!

GOD BLESS you and you’re valient efffots!
Pat
 
I think most men strugle with all this. A big difference is that most good Catholic men recognize this problem while everyone else live with it as normal. I struggle with it a lot, but what’s worst is that I am a big flirt and usally have confidence to ask women out, which is basically a double-edge sword for me 😦 So I’ve pretty much have avoided dating for now until I feel I find someone the Lord is calling me to, but I can tell you it’s very difficult and I am hurting lol.
 
pataburd said:
What he said above!

Plus, when I am tempted with lustful thoughts, I try to immediately pray five Hail Marys, one for each of my senses, and ask the Blessed Virgin to hide me and protect me with her virginal purity.
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This is a good idea. Also, I try to remind myself how much better off I am without these sinful thoughts and actions.
 
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