Pornography

[chinyeow]

Hi everyone.

I’m a little confused about some stuff, and hopefully you guys can help me. I’ve had big problems with pornography addiction.

I am a convert. I was baptized and confirmed only last year October. Before that, I’ve had problems with pornography. In fact, I was an addict.

Since my baptism, I was able to resist it better than before, but not all the time. Most of the time, when the temptation comes, I will fall for it like almost instantly.

Last week Saturday, I’ve decided to make the Devotion of the 5 first Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart. I went to confession, and received holy communion. It was probably the most touching Saturday I’ve ever had IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

During this week, I was able to stop my self from watching any pornography. It was hard, but I kept my self busy so I didn’t have the time and energy to watch.

But, yesterday, I was sitting in front of my PC, bored, and I was tempted. I was struggling in the heart. I knew it’s wrong, but the temptation was strong. I went to my ‘favorite’ site, but after a quick glance that is less than 1 second, without clearly seeing anything explicit, I realized the danger, and closed it.

But then, I opened it again. And again, another quick 1 second glance, I closed it again. And then, I did it one more time, and it lasted for 3 seconds, I actually saw something explicit, but again I realized the threat, and I closed it again. But this time, I just shut my PC off. And went out.

It was really really hard. I mean, I really want to watch it. I really do. But I know it’s wrong. And I don’t want that confession I did last week to go to waste. But, after 3 glances, perhaps with intention, should I go to confession? Have I committed a mortal sin? I mean, I don’t want that effort to have been a waste… Cause that’s best I’ve done…

Thanks.
Harry

 

[Bookcat]

You need to explore ways of “blocking” such sites.

Discuss the matter with your Priest.

 

[TimothyH]

keep immersing yourself in things of God.

Saturate your life with scripture, prayer, devotions, devotionals, Mass and generous use of the sacraments including lots of confession and the Eucharist.

Do you hear what you are saying Harry. You used to be an addict, but now you are resisting, or rather God is helping you to resist? Do you see victory there? Do you give God thanks for that or just hang your head and kick yourself for every small mistake?

I struggled for 33 years and have been free for several years now. Trust me on this… Flood your life, saturate your life, with things of God. It has to be the most important thing in your life right now.

-Tim-

 

[Allegra]

I don’t think you’ve sinned yet, but I think you need some help with this addiction.

 

[whatsthetruth]

During this week, I was able to stop my self from watching any pornography. It was hard, but I kept my self busy so I didn’t have the time and energy to watch.

But, yesterday, I was sitting in front of my PC, bored, and I was tempted. I was struggling in the heart. I knew it’s wrong, but the temptation was strong. I went to my ‘favorite’ site, but after a quick glance that is less than 1 second, without clearly seeing anything explicit, I realized the danger, and closed it.

But then, I opened it again. And again, another quick 1 second glance, I closed it again. And then, I did it one more time, and it lasted for 3 seconds, I actually saw something explicit, but again I realized the threat, and I closed it again. But this time, I just shut my PC off. And went out.

It was really really hard. I mean, I really want to watch it. I really do. But I know it’s wrong. And I don’t want that confession I did last week to go to waste. But, after 3 glances, perhaps with intention, should I go to confession? Have I committed a mortal sin? I mean, I don’t want that effort to have been a waste… Cause that’s best I’ve done…

Thanks.
Harry

Hello brother, I and many others have been in the same boat as the one you are in right now. You must realize that sins of the flesh are the strongest that wage war against the soul. Instead of RESISTING the urges you need to ACCEPT to live a CHASTE life. Resisting is only going to make the attraction stronger. Accepting to live a chaste life and realizing (which you already have) that you are addicted is step one. I can already tell Jesus is working through you. Go to confession as many times as you need too. There are no limits to confession. I went to confession every week for 3 months straight until finally one day I said, I’m through denying Jesus love. I can’t live like this anymore! That day I gave EVERYTHING to Jesus. That’s what YOU have to do. You need to pray always, never cease from praying. Once you feel tempted don’t turn to yourself to overcome this, because you can’t do it alone. Immediately turn to Jesus and pray, tell him everything you are feeling. Tell him how bad your urges are and how much you want to please him more than yourself. He will send his many blessing and graces down upon you to help you.

Also, you said you were BORED on the COMPUTER. You need to AVOID the NEAR OCCASION OF SIN my friend!! Pray to God to help you realize what these near occasions of sins are so that you may recognize them. Go outside and sit and look at nature. Don’t go and look at pics of girls on facebook (that’s what I did and the next thing I knew I was on a porn site.) CONTROL your eyes when you are in public. You must learn to respect and cherish the beautiful creation of women that the Lord has created for us.That always helps me, replace your thought of lust (that’s what the world is teaching is normal now a days) and replace them with positive thoughts…whatever that is and makes you TRULY happy. I will pray for you friend and also The Holy Rosary is a very powerful tool one that I would highly suggest. The Blessed Virgin Mary can teach you how to respect women and love them for who they are (all God’s creation’s are beautiful) and not for what we can use them for.

 

[ChibiViolet]

What you did was of grave matter. If you didn’t know that at the time than you have not committed mortal sin.

 

[whatsthetruth]

I would suggest you go to confession. Not only will it give you the blessing and graces you need to get through this, but you KNEW it was WRONG, you VOLUNTARY viewed these pictures 3 times, and be it picture or a video you CHOSE to look at them regardless and it is of GRAVE matter because looking at porn poisons one’s mind more than we can EVER know. I know you feel weak but that’s the only trick the Devil has, turn to God and you will be okay.

Realize that the people involved in Porn don’t love you. They love money and will do whatever it takes to get it. The devil is the camera man and his evil legion are his “stars”. Every time someone goes to a porn site they are helping the industry GROW sending more and more souls to HELL. I know you don’t want this to happen and now is the time to crush the head of the serpent! Jesus fell 3 times carrying his cross and you will fall too. We all must reflect our lives upon the stations of the cross and get back up when we fall and make straight the way of the Lord no matter what.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Only if you had full knowlegde and complete consent was this a mortal sin. No one else has a right to judge whethor or not your sin is mortal based only on the little information you have provided. You never said you realized what you were doing was of grave matter at the time.

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

Speaking to a priest or spiritual director is helpful, but if this behavior is an addiction you will more than likely need professional help as well from a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT). Search for one here: www.iitap.com.

On-line support is also available from 12-Step self-help groups such as SA (Sexaholics Anonymous) or SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous).

Make use of all the spiritual help and professional help which is available.

God bless you.

 

[3NailRenewal]

Hi everyone.

I’m a little confused about some stuff, and hopefully you guys can help me. I’ve had big problems with pornography addiction.

I am a convert. I was baptized and confirmed only last year October. Before that, I’ve had problems with pornography. In fact, I was an addict.

Since my baptism, I was able to resist it better than before, but not all the time. Most of the time, when the temptation comes, I will fall for it like almost instantly.

Last week Saturday, I’ve decided to make the Devotion of the 5 first Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart. I went to confession, and received holy communion. It was probably the most touching Saturday I’ve ever had IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

During this week, I was able to stop my self from watching any pornography. It was hard, but I kept my self busy so I didn’t have the time and energy to watch.

But, yesterday, I was sitting in front of my PC, bored, and I was tempted. I was struggling in the heart. I knew it’s wrong, but the temptation was strong. I went to my ‘favorite’ site, but after a quick glance that is less than 1 second, without clearly seeing anything explicit, I realized the danger, and closed it.

But then, I opened it again. And again, another quick 1 second glance, I closed it again. And then, I did it one more time, and it lasted for 3 seconds, I actually saw something explicit, but again I realized the threat, and I closed it again. But this time, I just shut my PC off. And went out.

It was really really hard. I mean, I really want to watch it. I really do. But I know it’s wrong. And I don’t want that confession I did last week to go to waste. But, after 3 glances, perhaps with intention, should I go to confession? Have I committed a mortal sin? I mean, I don’t want that effort to have been a waste… Cause that’s best I’ve done…

Thanks.
Harry

Hey man, i am in the same boat you are right now; I really want to stop but i love the feeling of giving in, of giving up, the problem is that i knw it is bad. I do not have an answer for you, i am not a better person than you, i hope you can do what i cannot.

 

[jesusmylover]

Hey My friend,

Don’t worry, what you leave is normal, you cannot stop directly like that, even if you received confession or Communion. Except if God gave you a special grace, that is also possible.

Don’t be afraid, just know that you are Loved, God Loves you, don’t forget that, where is a sin, there is lot of Graces given.

You can not stop like that alone, you need help.

You have to speak with a priest during a confession, and the spiritual director, it’s really important. He could be your coach. Then, if it’s an addiction, he could recommend you a therapist. Don’t worry; it’s normal.

Make a lot of sport, and don’t stay a long time alone when you know that the temptation is close. And then, reduce you internet connexion, make a good use.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate.

God Bless You.

Hi everyone.

I’m a little confused about some stuff, and hopefully you guys can help me. I’ve had big problems with pornography addiction.

I am a convert. I was baptized and confirmed only last year October. Before that, I’ve had problems with pornography. In fact, I was an addict.

Since my baptism, I was able to resist it better than before, but not all the time. Most of the time, when the temptation comes, I will fall for it like almost instantly.

Last week Saturday, I’ve decided to make the Devotion of the 5 first Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart. I went to confession, and received holy communion. It was probably the most touching Saturday I’ve ever had IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

During this week, I was able to stop my self from watching any pornography. It was hard, but I kept my self busy so I didn’t have the time and energy to watch.

But, yesterday, I was sitting in front of my PC, bored, and I was tempted. I was struggling in the heart. I knew it’s wrong, but the temptation was strong. I went to my ‘favorite’ site, but after a quick glance that is less than 1 second, without clearly seeing anything explicit, I realized the danger, and closed it.

But then, I opened it again. And again, another quick 1 second glance, I closed it again. And then, I did it one more time, and it lasted for 3 seconds, I actually saw something explicit, but again I realized the threat, and I closed it again. But this time, I just shut my PC off. And went out.

It was really really hard. I mean, I really want to watch it. I really do. But I know it’s wrong. And I don’t want that confession I did last week to go to waste. But, after 3 glances, perhaps with intention, should I go to confession? Have I committed a mortal sin? I mean, I don’t want that effort to have been a waste… Cause that’s best I’ve done…

Thanks.
Harry

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Pornography in your case has been a habit. We can always break a bad habit with a good habit. For example, if you are in the habit of walking your dog, and your dog is in the habit of pooping on your neighbor’s lawn, you can break the habit of alienating your neighbors by carrying a pooper-scooper.

There is a great short prayer that could be prayed habitually every time you habitually think of going to that dangerous website. You could learn it by heart so that you can pray it immediately upon being tempted.

Here it is:

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Michael is stronger that Satan. Believe it. He drove Satan into hell.

 

[StevenFrancis]

Hi everyone.

I’m a little confused about some stuff, and hopefully you guys can help me. I’ve had big problems with pornography addiction.

I am a convert. I was baptized and confirmed only last year October. Before that, I’ve had problems with pornography. In fact, I was an addict.

Since my baptism, I was able to resist it better than before, but not all the time. Most of the time, when the temptation comes, I will fall for it like almost instantly.

Last week Saturday, I’ve decided to make the Devotion of the 5 first Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart. I went to confession, and received holy communion. It was probably the most touching Saturday I’ve ever had IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

During this week, I was able to stop my self from watching any pornography. It was hard, but I kept my self busy so I didn’t have the time and energy to watch.

But, yesterday, I was sitting in front of my PC, bored, and I was tempted. I was struggling in the heart. I knew it’s wrong, but the temptation was strong. I went to my ‘favorite’ site, but after a quick glance that is less than 1 second, without clearly seeing anything explicit, I realized the danger, and closed it.

But then, I opened it again. And again, another quick 1 second glance, I closed it again. And then, I did it one more time, and it lasted for 3 seconds, I actually saw something explicit, but again I realized the threat, and I closed it again. But this time, I just shut my PC off. And went out.

It was really really hard. I mean, I really want to watch it. I really do. But I know it’s wrong. And I don’t want that confession I did last week to go to waste. But, after 3 glances, perhaps with intention, should I go to confession? Have I committed a mortal sin? I mean, I don’t want that effort to have been a waste… Cause that’s best I’ve done…

Thanks.
Harry

First…congratulations on your progress. As regards confession, I think you’ve answered your own question. Since you’re thinking about it, and it’s bothering you, then I would suspect you should. You can tell the priest exactly what you’ve said here. Your confessor should know that you are dealing with an addiction, and may even have some advice, besides forgiveness and penance. Keep up the good fight. The graces of the sacraments combined with prayer and fasting will strengthen you, and believe it or not, there will come a time when you won’t even think about it anymore. You’ll wonder how it ever inspired or tempted you. It really can, and does end. But even then, you must remain vigilant. Satan looks for every crack in the wall.

God bless,

Yours in Christ,

Steven