Why am I still dreaming of sin

[Remorsefully_Me]

I have committed a very bad sexual sin for most of my life (masturbation, pornography, prostitution) to myself and at times to innocent others. I am deeply sorry for what I have done and repent to my sin. I have asked our lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness. I have not acted out in my sins for over a year but I still have dreams of doing so. I wake up very shameful and I do not understand why I am having these dreams when I now better understand the damage that I have done to myself and my family and to the innocent but why the dreams why do they not go away. It is not every night but for me one is too many. Please pray for me. I love god and I trust in him, I just like to know what is he trying to tell me in the dreams.

 

[baltobetsy]

You did not mention that you have taken these sins to Confession. If you haven’t, you need to very much, and that could be what the dreams are suggesting to you.

 

[Equites_Christi]

I think sexual experiences leave a deep imprint on our mind.

I have not fallen to sexual sin in quite some time, yet from time to time I will still have dreams about it. But more and more in the dreams, I am divided against it and sometimes I don’t end up sinning in the dream at all because my subconscious knows it’s wrong.

I wouldn’t worry about it; we don’t have control over our dreams and our mind can dig up whatever memories it wants and mix and match them how it pleases.

Why, just last night I had a dream - in all seriousness - where I was at my high school and Jesus was instructing me, in German, how to properly feed some frogs that were in an exhibit. Since I am a couple of weeks from graduating high school, thoughts about it are still very fresh in my mind. The German-speaking Jesus is probably my mind’s memories of all the times I have listened to Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion.

The frogs?

As is always said, if it would make you feel better you should go to confession, but I highly doubt there is anything keeping you from communion.

Pax et amor
EC

 

[jschutzm]

I honestly don’t believe, in all seriousness, and in all my studies of scripture and theology, that we are held accountable for what we dream, when we are judged by God and let into heaven.

We are only accountable for what we choose to dwell on and do.

If a fleeting thought passes into your mind, and you immediately dismiss it, telling yourself that it is wrong and why…then I don’t believe this is a sin, but does show a defect or weakness of the flesh. The spirit in that case prevailed by forcing the mind to quickly change thoughts.

We should then not feel overly guilty and simply resolve to seek God’s forgiveness for “generally” having lustful thoughts. (But realize that we also combatted those thoughts when they did arise.)

A similar principle when it comes to Dreams. Once awake, did you savor them and dwell on them? – NO!
Did you think to yourself how wrong that was and how you don’t want to go back to doing that, etc. etc. etc. – YES!

Therefore, Do I honestly think that dream will be held against you on the day of judgement? – NO.

Could it show a weakness of the flesh, the lasting scar of sin, and how we all, men especially it seems, must say vigilante against sexual sins – CERTAINLY!

 

[mommyof4]

You did not mention that you have taken these sins to Confession. If you haven’t, you need to very much, and that could be what the dreams are suggesting to you.

Yep, I agree with this.

Don’t worry about dreams- you’re not responsible for these.

 

[djeter]

I have committed a very bad sexual sin for most of my life (masturbation, pornography, prostitution) to myself and at times to innocent others. I am deeply sorry for what I have done and repent to my sin. I have asked our lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness. I have not acted out in my sins for over a year but I still have dreams of doing so. I wake up very shameful and I do not understand why I am having these dreams when I now better understand the damage that I have done to myself and my family and to the innocent but why the dreams why do they not go away. It is not every night but for me one is too many. Please pray for me. I love god and I trust in him, I just like to know what is he trying to tell me in the dreams.

You’re right to worry about your dreams – it shows you are being vigilant.

We have seen how every soul — even if burdened with sin (2 Timothy 3:6), enmeshed in vice, ensnared by the allurements of pleasure, a captive in exile, imprisoned in the body caught in mud (Psalms 68:3), fixed in mire, bound to its members, a slave to care, distracted by business, afflicted with sorrow, wandering and straying, filled with anxious forebodings and uneasy suspicions, a stranger in a hostile land (Exodus 2:22), and, according to the Prophet, sharing the defilement of the dead and counted with those who go down into hell (Baruch 3:11) — every soul, I say, standing thus under condemnation and without hope, has the power to turn and find it can not only breathe the fresh air of the hope of pardon and mercy, but also dare to aspire to the nuptials of the Word, not fearing to enter into alliance with God or to bear the sweet yoke of love (Matthew 11:30) with the King of angels.”
Bernard of Clairvaux, On the Song of Songs, Vol. IV Sermon 83

Fr. Cantalamessa on Sin here:

Read about it, understand it, learn the good fight. God bless.

dj

 

[jschutzm]

You’re right to worry about your dreams – it shows you are being vigilant.

Vigilant YES – concerned for the eternal destiny of his soul, based solely on the fact that he feels plagued by these dreams – NO

As I pointed out, it may be a lasting affect of past sin, that is, his mind has been opened up to this, something he can’t go back and undo, now. And it may point to an internal struggle between his flesh and his spirit (soul) but I haven’t ever seen anything in Scripture or the Church which says we are condemned by our dreams or that they carry the same weight as our waking, conscience actions that we willfully choose to do.

But all men, and women for that matter, should remain vigilant as to not fall prey to sin, because it can creep up on us and can seem very attractive and alluring, at times. Our minds can justify just about anything… and so vigilance is a virtue.

And Virtues, like a muscle, must be excercised and developed in order to be strong and serve us well.

 

[MS_SURVEYOR]

I have found Saint Michael the Archangel to be of great help for me against such attracts by Satan. Yes I do feel Satan works in our dreams, as well as our waking hours. It’s his work to make us feel we are not forgiven. Once I found Saint Michael the Archangel, Satan has been held at a distance.

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 Divine Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Saint Michael the Archangel

I’m doing a Novena to Saint Michael the Archangel.

Novena to Saint Michael the Archange

 

[Remorsefully_Me]

I just like to know what is he trying to tell me in the dreams.

Thank You all very much for your words and encouragement. i was at a point to where i was thinking of going to an hypnotherapist to see if that would help any.

Again Thanks and God Bless all of you.

 

[Big_Dummy]

I have committed a very bad sexual sin for most of my life (masturbation, pornography, prostitution) to myself and at times to innocent others. I am deeply sorry for what I have done and repent to my sin. I have asked our lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness. I have not acted out in my sins for over a year but I still have dreams of doing so. I wake up very shameful and I do not understand why I am having these dreams when I now better understand the damage that I have done to myself and my family and to the innocent but why the dreams why do they not go away. It is not every night but for me one is too many. Please pray for me. I love god and I trust in him, I just like to know what is he trying to tell me in the dreams.

First throw away all your porm, get rid of cable tv, and if the internet is a problem for you get rid of it too. Then study scripture in place of watching tv. Ask, God to fill you with his Spirit. Gal 5, Romans 8, Eph 2:18, etc., Kill the sin nature daily. Feed yourself spiritually good stuff, like scripture, worship, praise music, hang out with christians in person.

 

[teachccd]

Thank You all very much for your words and encouragement. i was at a point to where i was thinking of going to an hypnotherapist to see if that would help any.

Again Thanks and God Bless all of you.

Go to the Sacrament of Recnciliation (Confession) before you see the hypnotherapist if you hadn’t done so already… Peace.

 

[Bluegoat]

Sometimes worrying about things like this that we can’t control is a tricky way of making us dwell on the topic even more. We can’t help what we dream, so it’s generally just best to “let them go” when you wake up and carry on.

Now, sometimes reoccurring dreams can be indicative of something, but in your case it may mostly be the change in your life, which is huge and admirable, and nothing more. I sometimes have dreams when I am given care of children or babies or animals, and something terrible happens, and it is usually a sign I am feeling stressed. But that isn’t a sin, it is a sign I need to relax and discover what is bothering me. If the dreams themselves are making you anxious, it might be worthwhile to consult with someone about that.

 

[Remorsefully_Me]

QUOTE=Big Dummy;7876684]First throw away all your porm, get rid of cable tv, and if the internet is a problem for you get rid of it too.

Thank you for (name removed by moderator)ut. As I said, I have free for my sexual addiction. All of my “tools” are gone too. On TV is the news or the Discovery. As for the internet, I am here also EWTN I do my daily readings on United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Discerning Hearts however it is not always current in their readings but I really like their reflection readings. I am always looking for Catholic web site that has audio and video to bookmark.

God Bless

 

[baltobetsy]

So you have been to confession, too, right?

 

[benidict]

I have committed a very bad sexual sin for most of my life (masturbation, pornography, prostitution) to myself and at times to innocent others. I am deeply sorry for what I have done and repent to my sin. I have asked our lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness. I have not acted out in my sins for over a year but I still have dreams of doing so. I wake up very shameful and I do not understand why I am having these dreams when I now better understand the damage that I have done to myself and my family and to the innocent but why the dreams why do they not go away. It is not every night but for me one is too many. Please pray for me. I love god and I trust in him, I just like to know what is he trying to tell me in the dreams.

If you have been intimate with alot of different partners my friend. You ARE gonna have problems. Heres the thing we are NOT told about sexuality. You dont just join with your partners body, you share a part of their soul. Now, combine this with multiple partners and you have issues. I have some of the same, so you are not alone. :hug1: Here are some things you may want to try. Before going to sleep, pray the rosary. Remember the effects of the Rosary are cumulative, so stay faithful to it. If not, then other forms of prayer are also effective. Also I agree with a previous poster. Have you been to a Priest and confessed? If so, you have been absolved. If you were NOT bothered by this then you would have to be worried. your heart is in the right place. But given all that, They are dreams. and they are almost impossilble to control.

 

[MSNH]

I have committed a very bad sexual sin for most of my life (masturbation, pornography, prostitution) to myself and at times to innocent others. I am deeply sorry for what I have done and repent to my sin. I have asked our lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness. I have not acted out in my sins for over a year but I still have dreams of doing so. I wake up very shameful and I do not understand why I am having these dreams when I now better understand the damage that I have done to myself and my family and to the innocent but why the dreams why do they not go away. It is not every night but for me one is too many. Please pray for me. I love god and I trust in him, I just like to know what is he trying to tell me in the dreams.

I don’t think that it is God who is trying to talk to you. If Jesus was tempted by the devil; then we will be too.However; i do not think it is lucifer who is speaking to you in your dreams; i think that it is one of his demons. Ever have a random thought where you wanted to hurt someone in the room with you very badly( and thoughts come into your head vivdly depicting it)? What do you think? Does anyone else agree?

 

[benidict]

I don’t think that it is God who is trying to talk to you. If Jesus was tempted by the devil; then we will be too.However; i do not think it is lucifer who is speaking to you in your dreams; i think that it is one of his demons. Ever have a random thought where you wanted to hurt someone in the room with you very badly( and thoughts come into your head vivdly depicting it)? What do you think? Does anyone else agree?

I wont discount this. Its probable.

 

[MSNH]

I wont discount this. Its probable./QUO

yes, but what do you honestly think about it?

 

[MS_SURVEYOR]

I don’t think that it is God who is trying to talk to you. If Jesus was tempted by the devil; then we will be too.However; i do not think it is lucifer who is speaking to you in your dreams; i think that it is one of his demons. Ever have a random thought where you wanted to hurt someone in the room with you very badly( and thoughts come into your head vivdly depicting it)? What do you think? Does anyone else agree?

I agree!

Ever have a random thought where you wanted to hurt someone in the room with you very badly( and thoughts come into your head vivdly depicting it)? What do you think? Does anyone else agree?

I haven’t had that happen. But I did have thoughts coming to me at the strangest time about the most unreal things one could think about. It took me a while to sort it out. I started doing novenas to St. Michael, the Archangel! For the most part all is quiet now! We are all under attack at all times! What ever it takes to make one fall!

***Holy Michael the archangel,
defend us in the day of battle;
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits,
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

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