Maintaining a strong will before temptation

[anonymous1995]

How can I let Reason lead me through times of temptations instead of being deceived by Satan’s lies and tricks?

Very often Devil comes so quickly that I don’t even have time to equip myself with prayer and in particular Rosary. A day without Rosary is disastrous. At other times I am so stupid to ignore the consequences of sins and simply let my flesh be conquered, having failed to envisage the beauty of Heaven and Eternal Salvation.

 

[TK421]

Temptation can generally be anticipated, like looking at the swells in the ocean on the horizon to see when the waves are coming.

Sin finds opportune times to strike in one of two instances: in our abundance or in our lacking. In the case of sexual sin, which you mentioned, this usually occurs in one’s lacking. A person feels an anxiety, loneliness, or sense of lose, and sexual sin is a potent gratification to relieve that emptiness. It’s a lesser good which acts as a substitute for the real thing (that is: God). That’s how viruses operate in the natural world and that’s how sin operates in the spiritual world. It tricks the body into thinking it is a valid substitute, and so we let it pass the borders and into ourselves.

So, ways to fortify ourselves in advance from either sexual sin or any other sin that tempts us because of feelings of lacking would include taking care of ourselves, having connections with the community & healthy outlets, a regular prayer routine, swiftness in both seeking forgiveness & forgiving ourselves if we do fall, and any other ways of promoting a positive, healthy psychological & spiritual attitude.

 

[dje101]

Temptation can generally be anticipated, like looking at the swells in the ocean on the horizon to see when the waves are coming.

Sin finds opportune times to strike in one of two instances: in our abundance or in our lacking. In the case of sexual sin, which you mentioned, this usually occurs in one’s lacking. A person feels an anxiety, loneliness, or sense of lose, and sexual sin is a potent gratification to relieve that emptiness. It’s a lesser good which acts as a substitute for the real thing (that is: God). That’s how viruses operate in the natural world and that’s how sin operates in the spiritual world. It tricks the body into thinking it is a valid substitute, and so we let it pass the borders and into ourselves.

So, ways to fortify ourselves in advance from either sexual sin or any other sin that tempts us because of feelings of lacking would include taking care of ourselves, having connections with the community & healthy outlets, a regular prayer routine, swiftness in both seeking forgiveness & forgiving ourselves if we do fall, and any other ways of promoting a positive, healthy psychological & spiritual attitude.

What an awesome response! Beneficial for me as well.

 

[Austere]

How can I let Reason lead me through times of temptations instead of being deceived by Satan’s lies and tricks?

Very often Devil comes so quickly that I don’t even have time to equip myself with prayer and in particular Rosary. A day without Rosary is disastrous. At other times I am so stupid to ignore the consequences of sins and simply let my flesh be conquered, having failed to envisage the beauty of Heaven and Eternal Salvation.

From my own experience, in terms of temptation regarding the flesh, there are two important principles I have been instructed with to avoid temptation. The first is ridding yourselves of items that would cause you to sin or lead to an occasion. “If your eye would cause you to sin, pluck it out,” is such an important verse to meditate on when fighting temptations of the flesh. The second principle is to never be idle; idle hands is the devil’s workshop. Always try to find something that will take your mind off such temptations, whether it be reading, walking or finding some activity that leads your mind to higher places. If you take these two principles to heart and practice them, it will help considerably, even though I am a work in progress myself! I will pray for you my friend, that the Lord God may grant you the necessary graces needed to fight these temptations.

God bless you my friend.

 

[jtav]

You’ll laugh at me, but regularly getting indulgences for the dead helps me because then I had someone counting on me to stay in that state of grace so I could help them.

 

[Katherine438]

Temptation is difficult … the main two things to do to help with temptation are going to confession and receiving communion … I also think it is a good idea to always wear a Crucifix and a Miraculous Medal … these are the things I do to fight temptation … we all deal with temptation … we have to use what the Church has given us to fight it.

 

[pensmama87]

You’ll laugh at me, but regularly getting indulgences for the dead helps me because then I had someone counting on me to stay in that state of grace so I could help them.

I think this is wonderful.

I’ve become much more interested in indulgences this year thanks to the Year of Mercy and I think this is something I can reflect on to help keep me on track. Thank you.

Temptation can generally be anticipated, like looking at the swells in the ocean on the horizon to see when the waves are coming.

Sin finds opportune times to strike in one of two instances: in our abundance or in our lacking. In the case of sexual sin, which you mentioned, this usually occurs in one’s lacking. A person feels an anxiety, loneliness, or sense of lose, and sexual sin is a potent gratification to relieve that emptiness. It’s a lesser good which acts as a substitute for the real thing (that is: God). That’s how viruses operate in the natural world and that’s how sin operates in the spiritual world. It tricks the body into thinking it is a valid substitute, and so we let it pass the borders and into ourselves.

So, ways to fortify ourselves in advance from either sexual sin or any other sin that tempts us because of feelings of lacking would include taking care of ourselves, having connections with the community & healthy outlets, a regular prayer routine, swiftness in both seeking forgiveness & forgiving ourselves if we do fall, and any other ways of promoting a positive, healthy psychological & spiritual attitude.

This is also very, very good.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

We can’t outsmart the devil, his angelic intellect is far superior to ours. We must humble ourselves, do penance, and beg God for his grace. It is well known that moderation in food and drink can be helpful in this regard. And not focusing on the temptation, but on Christ our Savior, Who alone can deliver us.