Why do I keep doing this?

[english_guy]

Hello everyone,
every now and then I get a sinful idea in my head, this idea MUST be carried through to it’s sinful conclusion.. It could be sexual,morally wrong, being totally obnoxious ,totally against the teaching of the Church, but I STILL have to do it!!. Then it is as if it has been someone else has done these things and I think WHY on earth did I do it?.I don’t think I am cracking up or anything, I certainly do not hear voices etc. but I am puzzled why I do it, then I worry about what I have to say in confession, does anybody else get these strange compulsions?
I thank you in advance for any answers,
God Bless,
Mick.

 

[thevickinator16]

Hello everyone,
every now and then I get a sinful idea in my head, this idea MUST be carried through to it’s sinful conclusion.. It could be sexual,morally wrong, being totally obnoxious ,totally against the teaching of the Church, but I STILL have to do it!!. Then it is as if it has been someone else has done these things and I think WHY on earth did I do it?.I don’t think I am cracking up or anything, I certainly do not hear voices etc. but I am puzzled why I do it, then I worry about what I have to say in confession, does anybody else get these strange compulsions?
I thank you in advance for any answers,
God Bless,
Mick.

You are not alone. I go through periods where every sin against the 10 commandments seems like fun. Seriously though, There are times I go through periods of great temptations. Especially the sins I have the most trouble with. This is satan, using your weaknesses against you. Each of us have temptaions, only I think we each have personal special ones. It is easy for me not to kill, yet the sins of the flesh are very hard for me. Also my tongue runs when it should be still. I think this is my hardest problem, and through this I commit a variety of sins.

I have found that instant prayer like, Jesus, Mercy!!, helps. It doesn’t always make the thoughts go away,yet it eases the temptations mightly. Satan is always looking for our soft spots, how else could he try and take us?

Prayer is the greatest battering ram I have found. If you have to say a prayer 20 million times in a row, it will help you.

Hope this helps!

God Bless!

 

[DonLeon]

Hello everyone,
every now and then I get a sinful idea in my head, this idea MUST be carried through to it’s sinful conclusion.. It could be sexual,morally wrong, being totally obnoxious ,totally against the teaching of the Church, but I STILL have to do it!!. Then it is as if it has been someone else has done these things and I think WHY on earth did I do it?.I don’t think I am cracking up or anything, I certainly do not hear voices etc. but I am puzzled why I do it, then I worry about what I have to say in confession, does anybody else get these strange compulsions?
I thank you in advance for any answers,
God Bless,
Mick.

Hi Mick:

You’re not the only one. I’m 83 and have been struggling with this all my life. My thought’s are either it’s Satan trying to get to you to turn against God, or God is allowing you to be tempted like Job. Many times I weaken and give in because it seems so pleasureable to do so, and then I co crying to God to forgive me and ashamedly confess to a priest.

We are weak creatures and all we can do is pray, pray, pray, and pray for strength to
resist all these temptations. Don’t forget, be ashamed of what you do but God forgives.
He always chastizes those he loves. God Bless.

Len, in Ohio, USA

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem

 

[CB_Catholic]

Hello everyone,
every now and then I get a sinful idea in my head, this idea MUST be carried through to it’s sinful conclusion.. It could be sexual,morally wrong, being totally obnoxious ,totally against the teaching of the Church, but I STILL have to do it!!. Then it is as if it has been someone else has done these things and I think WHY on earth did I do it?.I don’t think I am cracking up or anything, I certainly do not hear voices etc. but I am puzzled why I do it, then I worry about what I have to say in confession, does anybody else get these strange compulsions?
I thank you in advance for any answers,
God Bless,
Mick.

Well, I don’t know the nature of his sins, but St. Paul had the same complaint, basically, when he said that he did the things he did not want to do. I don’t have the exact scripture handy, but it appears you are in good company, if that is any consolation.

I think most of us experience this. I know for myself that there are times I tell myself a million times that I am not going to lose my temper, be kind to everyone I see, not pick a fight with my husband over some minor thing, not overeat, not participate in gossip, etc., and end up doing the very thing I didn’t want to do. We, under our own power, are incapable of not sinning. It takes the grace of God constantly in our lives to avoid sin. But most of us forget about seeking that grace at times and tend to rely on our own resources, which, we eventually discover, is not enough.

That is why the Church tells us we are called to continual conversion, and that is why Jesus gave us the Sacraments, esp. the Eucharist and Reconciliation–to help us in this spiritual battle. I hope this helps.

 

[thevickinator16]

Well, I don’t know the nature of his sins, but St. Paul had the same complaint, basically, when he said that he did the things he did not want to do. I don’t have the exact scripture handy, but it appears you are in good company, if that is any consolation.

I think most of us experience this. I know for myself that there are times I tell myself a million times that I am not going to lose my temper, be kind to everyone I see, not pick a fight with my husband over some minor thing, not overeat, not participate in gossip, etc., and end up doing the very thing I didn’t want to do. We, under our own power, are incapable of not sinning. It takes the grace of God constantly in our lives to avoid sin. But most of us forget about seeking that grace at times and tend to rely on our own resources, which, we eventually discover, is not enough.

That is why the Church tells us we are called to continual conversion, and that is why Jesus gave us the Sacraments, esp. the Eucharist and Reconciliation–to help us in this spiritual battle. I hope this helps.

I never heard of continual conversion. It does give me more hope. Thanks for the boost!

God Bless!

 

[CB_Catholic]

I never heard of continual conversion. It does give me more hope. Thanks for the boost!

God Bless!

When we say “continual conversion” it means that one is always pursuing the path of holiness, continually being converted to God, not just a one time conversion or “born again” experience, but always trying to become more Christlike, always trying to submit our will to God’s. It is our lifetime jouney toward God, every day, despite our failures and weaknesses. That is how I would define it, as imperfect as that may be.