Temptation or sin?

[Layp3rs0n]

I am recently beginning to overcome an addiction to impurity and am doung very well. However, during the day, my mind seems to remember impure acts or images. They are fuzzy at first. Its as if my brain is saying “Hey, remember this?” I do not want to think of these things. But until I allow myself to finally say “Yes! Alright!? Yes I remember! Now go away!” The memory is finally made clear in my head. I repudiate it and cast it away. Now, because in order to shut my brain up I have to bring these memories clearly before my minds eye, does this constitute dwelling on it to the point of sin? I am sure on some level in my brain the pleasure center may take the SLIGHTEST stimulation, but I hate it. I am going to Mass soon. I just confessed yesterday. Am I alright to receive Communion? IlAll I want is to receive Him.

 

[fbl9]

I am recently beginning to overcome an addiction to impurity and am doung very well. However, during the day, my mind seems to remember impure acts or images. They are fuzzy at first. Its as if my brain is saying “Hey, remember this?” I do not want to think of these things. But until I allow myself to finally say “Yes! Alright!? Yes I remember! Now go away!” The memory is finally made clear in my head. I repudiate it and cast it away. Now, because in order to shut my brain up I have to bring these memories clearly before my minds eye, does this constitute dwelling on it to the point of sin? I am sure on some level in my brain the pleasure center may take the SLIGHTEST stimulation, but I hate it. I am going to Mass soon. I just confessed yesterday. Am I alright to receive Communion? IlAll I want is to receive Him.

When this happens try this. Lord Jesus forgive me for allowing these images into my mind. Purify these memeories in the fire of your love. amen.

 

[bilop]

I am recently beginning to overcome an addiction to impurity and am doung very well. However, during the day, my mind seems to remember impure acts or images. They are fuzzy at first. Its as if my brain is saying “Hey, remember this?” I do not want to think of these things. But until I allow myself to finally say “Yes! Alright!? Yes I remember! Now go away!” The memory is finally made clear in my head. I repudiate it and cast it away. Now, because in order to shut my brain up I have to bring these memories clearly before my minds eye, does this constitute dwelling on it to the point of sin? I am sure on some level in my brain the pleasure center may take the SLIGHTEST stimulation, but I hate it. I am going to Mass soon. I just confessed yesterday. Am I alright to receive Communion? IlAll I want is to receive Him.

Temptation.

God Bless

 

[JRKH]

You are fine…Temptation yes…Sin - no.

Based on what you are saying, you are simply doing what you need to in order to get past the issue as quickly as possible.

There are various things that can help…you explain one…fbl9 offers a good prayer…for myself, I find that laughing at the temptation helps.
It’s sort of like your method, except instead of saying (in frustration) “Alright I remember now go away”…I just give a sort of laugh…the kind that says, “I know what your up to and It ain’t gonna happen”. I often accompany that laugh with a, “your not going to get me that”.
This is so successful for me that I have come to the conclusion that demons hate being laughed at…

Tied to all of this though is the fact that we DO have those pesky memories that pop up.
But even these can be turned to blessings for they are reminders to us to not fall so in that way even when the devil tries to tempt us, we can turn and offer it to our Lord.
"See Lord? See where I was? I won’t go back there. Praise be to God.
Just think how frustrating such a response must be to he who wishes us to fall…

Peace
James

 

[Layp3rs0n]

You are fine…Temptation yes…Sin - no.

Based on what you are saying, you are simply doing what you need to in order to get past the issue as quickly as possible.

There are various things that can help…you explain one…fbl9 offers a good prayer…for myself, I find that laughing at the temptation helps.
It’s sort of like your method, except instead of saying (in frustration) “Alright I remember now go away”…I just give a sort of laugh…the kind that says, “I know what your up to and It ain’t gonna happen”. I often accompany that laugh with a, “your not going to get me that”.
This is so successful for me that I have come to the conclusion that demons hate being laughed at…

Tied to all of this though is the fact that we DO have those pesky memories that pop up.
But even these can be turned to blessings for they are reminders to us to not fall so in that way even when the devil tries to tempt us, we can turn and offer it to our Lord.
"See Lord? See where I was? I won’t go back there. Praise be to God.
Just think how frustrating such a response must be to he who wishes us to fall…

Peace
James

Ohhh! I love that idea! Thank you all! I did receive Communion btw.

 

[R_C]

I totally understand As long as we “resist” the thought, that is, we don’t indulge in it and feel repulsion, then it should be no sin, for the sin lies in the intention. As an example, consider the saints who, after much penance and mortification, were tormented with visible temptations! How great must have been their struggle, but even having before their very eyes a sensible temptation, they were not guilty of sin, for they resisted and rejected the temptation.

I have found that watching videos or movies on saints, especially women saints, has helped me replace sinful images from the past with fresher, holy images. And light is always naturally going to dispel darkness, especially in matters of chastity

 

[fbl9]

You are fine…Temptation yes…Sin - no.

Based on what you are saying, you are simply doing what you need to in order to get past the issue as quickly as possible.

There are various things that can help…you explain one…fbl9 offers a good prayer…for myself, I find that laughing at the temptation helps.
It’s sort of like your method, except instead of saying (in frustration) “Alright I remember now go away”…I just give a sort of laugh…the kind that says, “I know what your up to and It ain’t gonna happen”. I often accompany that laugh with a, “your not going to get me that”.
This is so successful for me that I have come to the conclusion that demons hate being laughed at…

Tied to all of this though is the fact that we DO have those pesky memories that pop up.
But even these can be turned to blessings for they are reminders to us to not fall so in that way even when the devil tries to tempt us, we can turn and offer it to our Lord.
"See Lord? See where I was? I won’t go back there. Praise be to God.
Just think how frustrating such a response must be to he who wishes us to fall…

Peace
James

i find that my little prayer works better than than what you do. At least for myself.

One must keep in mind that those demons are a higher creature than us.Just my opinion, laughing at temptation could lead one to pride.

 

[Kathrin]

Maybe you can try somethign else to make it go away instead of having to see it clearly. Like distract yourself IMMEDIATELY. With a prayer, or thinking of something very positive and joyful but not related to the temptations… You may be surprised how you will suddenly have forgotten the image again

 

[JRKH]

i find that my little prayer works better than than what you do. At least for myself.

One must keep in mind that those demons are a higher creature than us.Just my opinion, laughing at temptation could lead one to pride.

Excellent point. Definitely something to be careful of. Thanks for sharing that.

For myself, I don’t find it to be an issue…I know where my strength comes from - for I ran out of my own strength several years ago…:stretcher:…God alone sustains me now…Which is maybe why I feel like just laughing off such “distractions” any more…

However - if I do allow pride to creep in (which has happened before in my life) I’m sure God will administer the necessary spiritual 2x4 in the place it will do the most good…

Peace
James