Repeat offender

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One of the things I struggle with as a Catholic is repeating sins. It seems like the harder I try, the more of these same sins I commit.
Do you, my CAF brothers and sisters, struggle with this problem?
I feel like a hypocrite sometimes because I vow to avoid these sins and then fail.
I suppose all I can do is to confess, receive absolution and to keep on trying to amend my life.
 
That’s it keep going some things are easier to break than others
 
Yes…and then I find solace in the fourth beatitude in Christ’s sermon on the mount.
 
Yes, I also tend to confess the same sins over and over. When I’m discouraged, I sometimes think to myself that one of these times my confessor will say enough is enough and refuse to absolve me. Of course, this has never happened, and when I calm down and reflect, I’m sure it never will. Many if not most of us fall down and keep getting up again and again. The important thing is to keep getting up.
 
I tend to think each of us struggles with sins over and over again it seems. For some it might be lust or pride or envy or jealously or wrath or whatever. But I think we are prone to repeat that same sin we struggle with, it is a cross to carry if you will
 
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Jesus will give you the grace via the sacrament of confession to help with the temptations. Keep going to the priest.
 
I continue to go to confession. Every now and then, I just need to lift my spirit because I vow not to sin again and it happens nonetheless.
 
Better to keep working on resolving the same bad habits than add new ones, right? One of the priests I’ve been to on occasion for confession compares it to a workout. We don’t just wake up one day and decide to run a marathon. You have to train for that, build yourself up, and run - and the more you work at it, you’ll find over time, you can run a little further each day. The same is true with our cycle of prayer, confession, and Mass. If we’re sticking to our “workout”, we’ll eventually be ready to run the race.
 
So weird. NEVER happens to me. 🙂

Do you sometimes feel like this…

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

If so, you’re in good company my friend. The good news is there’s an antidote to the “flaming darts”…

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…”

Hang in there!
 
Thanks, it gives me comfort to know that others share my feelings.
 
Just to clarify, our tendency to sin and the fight against that tendency are the crosses.

Anyway, I confessed the same sin many times, and it didn’t get better. Most of the priests were of the no advice style of confession.

Then I went to a new priest, and he would give me strategies for dealing with the sin. It was great and I improved a lot!

The point is to fight against our tendencies to sin, even if we keep committing the sin til we die. It should be reduced over time even tho it may not go away entirely.

But for a lot of people, guidance in fighting the sin is really necessary, so I recommend getting guidance even if one has to make an appointment to see the priest to get it.
 
I guess I should just be greatful for confession and absolution. It is up to me to work harder and harder to try to amend my life.
 
Like St Bernard said: ‘A saint is not someone who never sins, but one who sins less and less frequently and gets up more and more quickly.’
Keep trying. Your goal should be to reach perfect contrition. It is a process.
 
Thanks Dan_Defender, I just need a little pep talk ever so often.
Thanks for your words of understanding and encouragement. Just what I needed to hear.
 
Me :raising_hand_woman:
Me :raising_hand_woman:
Me :raising_hand_woman:

I decided long ago to stop feeling like a hypocrite when I know in my heart that when I confess these sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation, I am being honest. I’m not confessing with my fingers crossed behind my back. I sincerely want to overcome my faults and failings.

Also, if I beat myself up, I’m not believing in the mercy of God and that He has forgotten my sins once confessed and absolved. It’s Satan who throws them back in our face to condemn us and destroy our faith.
 
You are absolutely right.
We get knocked down, but we get back up and give life another go.
 
I was just about to post this from Paul speaking in Romans 7.

“For I do things that I do not understand. For I do not do the good that I want to do. But the evil that I hate is what I do.”

As you said, we are truly in good company.
 
OP. Rejoice when you are not adding new sins to your list! 🤣 As I told my sponsor (retired from working life for many years) when I was going to my first Reconcilliation. She said that she confesses the same sins over and over again and never seems to learn anything. “Don’t you think the priest would be concerned if you suddenly started confessing that you are beating old people and robbing them?”

After two years as a Catholic, I realised I had the same list of sins to pick from.
 
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