Catholic Info

Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: GiuseppeMichelePoli on June 19, 2016, 02:26:05 AM

Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: GiuseppeMichelePoli on June 19, 2016, 02:26:05 AM
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: nctradcath on June 19, 2016, 06:17:09 AM
Three hail Mary's devotion, daily rosary, and scapular consecration.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: snowball on June 19, 2016, 11:20:18 AM
Quote from: GiuseppeMichelePoli
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?


Jesus and all your ancestors are watching you.
When you see a woman in porn, think of the Blessed Mother,
who was a woman.
When you see a depiction of a man in pornogrpahy, think
of Jesus, who was a man.

Learn how to detest pornography. It is your enemy.
Put your efforts into finding a righteous spouse.
In the meantime, if you must masturbate, do so in your bed,
with no pornography. Be in tune to your goals of life.

Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Matthew on June 19, 2016, 11:52:43 AM
The pornography part you can control easier -- throw it out, delete it, put blocks on your computer, cancel your Internet if you have to.

Unless you work in IT, or you are using your Internet connection to telecommute to work, you CAN live without the Internet. For the occasional online shopping or communication with someone you don't have a phone number for, there's always a friend's house or the library.

As for the others, you should make sure you stay busy. Your average day shouldn't be filled with tons of (completely private) leisure time like the typical American. Stay busy. Find more work (hobby, volunteer, or paid) and make sure at least some of it is PHYSICAL to wear out your body a bit.

You need to practice more fasting and mortification. It's hard to avoid taking pleasures you are forbidden, if you haven't practiced mortification at all. One good form of mortification is to deny yourself licit pleasures once in a while.

The world has practically forgotten the value of corporal mortification.

You also need to make use of frequent confession, Mass, and foster a devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Also realize that plenty of men -- married and single, layman and cleric -- practice chastity with success every day. They are "continent" which means "they can contain their vessel with honor" -- they properly control the faculties God gave them, without sin. For the single, that means not using these faculties at all, and for the married that means using them only within the bounds of marriage (which still has rules!)

If you aren't able to control/contain yourself, realize that you are somewhat deficient, and somewhat "less of a man". Think of how shameful it is to be a slave to your lowest of passions. Let this fact motivate you.

Don't compare yourself to the lame excuses for "men" around you. If everyone else is a lemming headed for a cliff, does it help you any to be "no worse than them"? Ok, perhaps technically you're no worse than they, but you're still extremely bad off!

You are being led off a precipice (leading to Hell) by a thing that lets you have your shameful "few seconds of pleasure" every so many hours -- and you're helplessly content with that, following along like a stupid puppy. How shameful and ridiculous is that!

What would you think of a dog who followed me to the top of a live volcano, just because I dropped a lousy piece of dry dog food every 150 feet? Pathetic, right?
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: cathman7 on June 19, 2016, 12:04:17 PM
I posted this on Cathinfo 9 years ago (wow has it been that long?):

Christ Wants More: Ignatian Principles and Ideals on Prayer and Action
Fr. Frank Holland, S.J.
Sodality Director
Originally published in 1961

“The Difficult Commandment”

Every normal individual that has reached young manhood or womanhood is bound to have some temptations against purity – impure thoughts that run quickly through the mind, temptation to sins of curiosity, of touch, of desire, and so on. There are times when we wish we could toss our bodies away just to get rid of such temptations. Since that is not God’s plan for us, it’s better to face the fact calmly that this is part of living, part of growing up and staying grown up. And the whole truth about the matter is that it’s a fight to the end! At least, that’s St. Paul’s version of it, and he was human.

A saint who experienced very trying temptations against purity was St. Catherine of Siena. One day she was “tormented” by the most vile imaginations against purity; and when the ordeal was finally over, she asked Our Lord: “Where were you when I needed You so much?”

Christ’s answer to Catherine should assure us when we have to endure the same or a similar trial: “I was with you, Catherine, strengthening you by My grace and loving you for your resistance to sin. I wanted to KNOW and to see how much you loved Me!”

Just how do we fight this particular kind of battle? Most often by the “indirect method,” by building up defenses before the enemy engages us. When it’s a matter of purity, we’re all “in the army.” So, here’s an important list of “army regulations” from our King and Commander:

1) Be careful of the way you use your EYES. Learn to turn away quickly from impure pictures, stories, ads, movies, immodest persons and anything that could cause trouble now or later. Mortify your eyes even in legitimate things from time to time. It’s easier then when something sinful shows up.

2) Store up your mind with good reading. Satan’s human helpers are turning out thousands of indecent books and magazines a year. Don’t get stupidly caught in this snare. Recoveries are rare! One bad book or one obscene magazine may cause you endless trouble for the rest of your life. Cut the curiosity! You’re not missing anything worthwhile!

3) Develop a LOVE FOR WORK! Idleness is still the Devil’s Workshop. Don’t sit around and wait for trouble. Work keeps you mentally and physically occupied. It keeps your mind off yourself and off any number of dangerous things. Work gives you a sense of dignity and achievement, a healthy self-respect and a sense of decency.

4) Avoid day-dreaming, especially when you see temptation coming. Get right down to the next thing to be done. If it’s time for sleep, go to sleep (in God). If it’s time for work or study, put your mind on that – that’s God’s Will for you right now.

5) Have a fixed “code” for dating; otherwise, you’re just begging for a WAR. Have something to remind yourself about your code; for example, always kneel down and put yourself and the date in Our Lady’s hands before you leave the house; ask for grace. Take a good look at the St. Christopher medal in your car and say a meaningful aspiration to be likewise a “Christ-bearer.” Don’t let HIM down for anything. Remember a mere creature (even a pretty girl or a handsome fellow) is nothing compared to God. Necking may not always be a sin, but rule it out unless you really want TROUBLE. Sex is a “passion” and once you let it go, the chances are that ten to one, the fight to control it is going to be bigger than you are. And if you fall, think of the REMORSE. You’ve let God down, let yourself down, and harmed someone else who belonged to God.

6) Dress APPROPRIATELY. This is especially important for girls. You are someone who lives in God’s presence. When you’re all dressed up and ready to go places, ask HIM how you look. Then you won’t need to worry about being the occasion of sin to others on that score.

7) Use your HEAD, not your BODY, on dates. Keep up an interesting, intelligent conversation. Father Lord used to say that petting and necking were signs of a social “breakdown”; the couple had run out of other and better things to talk about and do. It’s time to go home at that point.

8) Remember: Men and women react differently both physically and mentally in the face of sex occasions. Men are much more easily aroused to passion than women are, and a woman ought to know this so as to help a man keep his integrity. If a girl is somewhat aroused by physical affection, then she can be almost sure the boy is more so, and may be on the danger-line of mortal sin. This is why prolonged kissing and embracing are simply “out” for the un-married. They lead directly and surely to impure thoughts and impure desires, and then to sins of touch and all the rest that goes with it. That ought to be plain enough for anyone to understand. Don’t ask for trouble.

9) Demand respect from others firmly but kindly.

10) In time of temptation, don’t dally around. Delay may be fatal. Be calm. Put your purity in the hands of Christ Crucified. If you know that you prayed in the time of temptation and did not will to sin, you can be sure there is nothing to worry about. Put your mind to work – on a god detective story, a cross-word puzzle, a hard problem in math, or a Latin translation for the next day’s class.

11) Go to confession frequently and to Holy Communion daily if possible, or at least once a week. Here is our real SOURCE OF STRENGTH.

12) Have a devotion to Mary that is REAL. Another word for devotion is IMITATION, and imitation is always the highest manifestation of love. Real devotion to Mary will influence your every act, your whole approach to life. If it’s an imitation, it will show itself in a dedicated practice of Mary’s virtues – love for God’s Will, obedience to authority, humility before God’s Law, and above all the perfection of chastity.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: PG on June 19, 2016, 02:16:47 PM
OP - The best way to avoid vices is to avoid their near occasions, even concerning little things.  "Pes meus stetit in directo"(my foot hath stood in the straight way) says the psalmist.  Do likewise.    
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: snowball on June 19, 2016, 05:28:51 PM
http://www.unamsanctamcatholicam.com/spirituality/82-spirtuality/381-that-one-sin.html
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Aleah on June 19, 2016, 07:17:01 PM
Quote from: snowball
Quote from: GiuseppeMichelePoli
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?


Jesus and all your ancestors are watching you.
When you see a woman in porn, think of the Blessed Mother,
who was a woman.
When you see a depiction of a man in pornogrpahy, think
of Jesus, who was a man.

Learn how to detest pornography. It is your enemy.
Put your efforts into finding a righteous spouse.
In the meantime, if you must masturbate, do so in your bed,
with no pornography. Be in tune to your goals of life.



Masturbation is a sin and almost always a mortal sin. Why would you offer advice that could send someone to hell?

Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Maximus33 on June 19, 2016, 09:27:17 PM
Quote from: snowball
Quote from: GiuseppeMichelePoli
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?


Jesus and all your ancestors are watching you.
When you see a woman in porn, think of the Blessed Mother,
who was a woman.
When you see a depiction of a man in pornogrpahy, think
of Jesus, who was a man.

Learn how to detest pornography. It is your enemy.
Put your efforts into finding a righteous spouse.
In the meantime, if you must masturbate, do so in your bed,
with no pornography. Be in tune to your goals of life.



Masturbation is a mortal sin making one worthy of Hell. What kind of advice is that? Learn your Faith.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 21, 2016, 08:47:53 AM
Quote from: GiuseppeMichelePoli
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?


Realize (and always remember) that you can't hide from God, He can see you, so can your guardian angel. One has to forget God exists to self abuse themselves, it's a kin to doing it in front of your parents, while thinking you are invisible.

I don't like the use of the word "m", Catholics should use language that can be spoken around anyone (mixed company, younger men, children), use impure touching, abuse oneself. Another example, Sodomites are impure men.  
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: MyrnaM on June 21, 2016, 09:33:35 AM
This is my advice it works for ALL sin, I can guarantee it.

Meditate on the passion of Christ, imagine His Precious Blood flowing from His Body, imagine His suffering of His knowledge, how He felt every pain before it happened to Him.  Nothing was held back, by that I mean, He felt it without any narcotic to help Him, He did not deceive us in any way by willing the pain would not be so bad.  He could have with a wink of His eye willed His executioners to suffer or drop like a fly, but He did not.

Put yourself in His place through that entire night, of Holy Thursday, His being dragged about from judge to judge knowing all along His fate.  Can you just imagine His suffering on Good Friday, think of the entire passion.  

If you spend a little time on this daily, you will not so much as tell a lie.  





Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 21, 2016, 11:14:05 AM
Why do all you women feel compelled to give advice to a man about personal sɛҳuąƖ matters?


But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. (1Tim 2:12)
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: MMagdala on June 21, 2016, 12:34:14 PM
Quote from: Last Tradhican
Why do all you women feel compelled to give advice to a man about personal sɛҳuąƖ matters?


Why are you so ignorant as to believe that only men are tempted to sins of impurity?  I don't know what MyrnaM meant by her post (whether she was NOT referencing women, but only men), but I do know what I mean by "giving advice."  It is hardly only to men.  So I will "teach" women, whether or not you personally want me to teach women.  I don't think you are the moderator of the forum.

So, women (because apparently some men on CI believe that "only men" are tempted to impurity), we know that we are also tempted, even though some of those temptations are quite different, or can be, being that so often ours are verbal rather than -or in addition to-- visual.  We are "wired" differently than men are; we have much in common, though, with men, and with the advice given by Matthew and at least a couple of others here, regarding idleness, regarding fidelity in prayer, regarding practice of the sacraments.

So Tradhican can ignore me while I speak to the others.  On a personal level, I will tell you that when I am tempted to impurity, it is most often because I actually need to go to confession for other sins, and I have been ignoring some persistent vices (attachments to venial sins, and venial sins which are getting close to mortal in level).   This happened to me recently, by the way.  My barely-resisted temptations to impurity were a screaming signal to get the heck to confession.  Once I did, immediately those pressures vanished.  Thanks be to God for the sacraments.


Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 21, 2016, 12:58:19 PM
The OP is a man. Don't change the subject to "temptations of women".

I doubt any lady is going to come on this PUBLIC forum and talk about what you are attempting to bring up.

I never mentioned any particular names in my posting, I was talking to all the ladies that have posted here. I do correct my posting though:

 
Quote from: Last Tradhican
Why do all you women ladies feel compelled to give advice to a man about personal sɛҳuąƖ matters?


But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. (1Tim 2:12)


Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: MyrnaM on June 21, 2016, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Last Tradhican
The OP is a man. Don't change the subject to "temptations of women".

I doubt any lady is going to come on this PUBLIC forum and talk about what you are attempting to bring up.

I never mentioned any particular names in my posting, I was talking to all the ladies that have posted here. I do correct my posting though:

 
Quote from: Last Tradhican
Why do all you women ladies feel compelled to give advice to a man about personal sɛҳuąƖ matters?


But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. (1Tim 2:12)




If your post was directed toward me ... I directed my post as a method to conquering ALL  sin.  

The solution to your problem Last Tradhican might be to ask Matthew to provide a "mens only" area as he has  "for women only" area right here on this forum.  More womanly advice given ... too bad! :laugh1:

Thank you MMagdala ... thumbs up to you!

 

Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: MMagdala on June 21, 2016, 01:44:24 PM
Quote from: Last Tradhican
The OP is a man. Don't change the subject to "temptations of women".


Dozens of OP's on CI are men.  The title of the thread was not exclusive to men, so including women is not "changing the subject," unless you believe, erroneously, that we women are not tempted to impurity.  We are.  It's just that women, overall, are less honest about that publicly than men, overall, are.

When there are other threads opened by men, which similarly do not, in the Original Post or in the title of the thread, reserve the replies to men only, do you believe that women should be prohibited from replying on the thread, due to the gender of the OP?  Let's ask Matthew, shall we?

Matthew, what is your policy regarding men who open threads of universal topics on the mixed-gender forums and do not ask for male-only replies?  Should we women be prohibited from replying?
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 21, 2016, 01:55:43 PM
Madam, you should not be posting advice to men. Moreover, what you are attempting to post in a PUBLIC forum is unladylike, and frankly,  revolting to me. You should keep it to yourself, your husband, or your spiritual director.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. (1Tim 2:12)

Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Croixalist on June 21, 2016, 03:51:29 PM
The face of St. Therese in repose helped me. Perfect beauty that defies all attempts to possess it. This face is resplendent with the Love of God.

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g8zHwKA_qBY/TKWqBzZn0xI/AAAAAAAAB0E/BvJfgfOqajg/s1600/StThereseOfLisieuxDeath.jpg)

Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Mark 79 on June 21, 2016, 04:01:51 PM
Quote from: GiuseppeMichelePoli
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?


Ask Our Blessed Mother to allow you to see the devils tempting you or have a vision of Hell.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: snowball on June 21, 2016, 05:12:36 PM
Quote from: Maximus33

Masturbation is a mortal sin making one worthy of Hell. What kind of advice is that? Learn your Faith.


No it's not. I can't believe I got 9 thumbs down there.
I am a good poster. That was ridiculous, although I realize
how what I said could have been misconstrued, which it was.

Masturbation is not often a cardinal sin.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 21, 2016, 05:41:37 PM
Quote from: snowball
Quote from: Maximus33

Masturbation impure touching is a mortal sin making one worthy of Hell. What kind of advice is that? Learn your Faith.


No it's not. I can't believe I got 9 thumbs down there.
I am a good poster. That was ridiculous, although I realize
how what I said could have been misconstrued, which it was.

Masturbation impure touching is not often a cardinal sin.




He knowing that the children should not be his, when he went in to his brother's wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother's name. And therefore the Lord slew him, because he did a detestable thing. (Genensis 39:9).
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Maximus33 on June 21, 2016, 09:34:47 PM
Quote from: snowball
Quote from: Maximus33

Masturbation is a mortal sin making one worthy of Hell. What kind of advice is that? Learn your Faith.


No it's not. I can't believe I got 9 thumbs down there.
I am a good poster. That was ridiculous, although I realize
how what I said could have been misconstrued, which it was.

Masturbation is not often a cardinal sin.


Say it wasn't a cardinal sin, its still a mortal sin. This is basic Catholic moral teaching. Look in any true Catholic manual. Ask any traditional priest.

My friend, just please be aware that it is a mortal sin.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Maximus33 on June 21, 2016, 09:39:49 PM
Quote from: Last Tradhican
Quote from: GiuseppeMichelePoli
What are the best and most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust and masturbation, pornography, impure thoughts, etc?


Realize (and always remember) that you can't hide from God, He can see you, so can your guardian angel. One has to forget God exists to self abuse themselves, it's a kin to doing it in front of your parents, while thinking you are invisible.

I don't like the use of the word "m", Catholics should use language that can be spoken around anyone (mixed company, younger men, children), use impure touching, abuse oneself. Another example, Sodomites are impure men.  


Yeah I agree, M is a vulgar word. Unless in the Confessional, it is better to use some other word or phrase.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Matto on June 21, 2016, 10:23:26 PM
Quote from: snowball
Masturbation is not often a cardinal sin.

I just wanted to say that I also believe that self-abuse is a mortal sin and I also downthumbed your post because I thought it was bad advice.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Lighthouse on June 21, 2016, 11:45:51 PM
Snowball, you have no idea what you are talking about and your ignorance is spreading lies and is an invitation to sin.

Since you are spreading delusion and error in this way, you are a prime candidate for banning.

Tradhican, get over it. The ladies speak wisely and know what they are talking about.

There is a men only forum.  If that is what the OP wanted he should have used that.
Title: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Croixalist on June 22, 2016, 08:52:26 AM
Yeah snowball, all forms of sɛҳuąƖ activity outside of marriage are mortally sinful except for nocturnal emissions. Even the thought alone is mortal if sufficiently entertained... even if only for a second!

With that in mind, my only other suggestion for the OP outside some of the very good meditations and prayers that have been suggested here is this: use the Sign of the Cross whenever an impure thought or memory enters into your mind. It's vital to catch them as soon as we are aware of them and for young men this can be many, many times in one day. The Sign of the Cross is quick and easy to do and will be able to match the pace of any temptation that bears down on you. Let the Cross do the work and any other pious image you can produce in your mind's eye.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Augustine Linst on October 20, 2017, 07:20:17 AM

I just wanted to say that I also believe that self-abuse is a mortal sin and I also downthumbed your post because I thought it was bad advice.
I guess that it's not always a mortal sin...
Although best to avoid falling in it.
Being sometimes a victim of this sin, do you think it is ALWAYS a mortal sin? Or there can be circuмstances when it's a venial sin?
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Neil Obstat on October 20, 2017, 06:58:40 PM
This is my advice it works for ALL sin, I can guarantee it.

Meditate on the passion of Christ, imagine His Precious Blood flowing from His Body, imagine His suffering of His knowledge, how He felt every pain before it happened to Him.  Nothing was held back, by that I mean, He felt it without any narcotic to help Him, He did not deceive us in any way by willing the pain would not be so bad.  He could have with a wink of His eye willed His executioners to suffer or drop like a fly, but He did not.

Put yourself in His place through that entire night, of Holy Thursday, His being dragged about from judge to judge knowing all along His fate.  Can you just imagine His suffering on Good Friday, think of the entire passion.  

If you spend a little time on this daily, you will not so much as tell a lie.
.
That's good advice. And if that is what works for you, great. However, if a reader tries that and finds it to be inadequate for whatever reason, I have another method that might be worth trying out.
.
Sometimes a VARIETY of weapons wins the battle.
.
Memorize and at times of trial repeat the Scripture verse, St. Luke 1:51 ...
.
He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
.
If you like, you can replace "shewed" with "shown." The meaning of this sentence is understood more completely in context of the Magnificat:
.
46] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=46-#x) And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. [47] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=47-#x) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=48-#x) Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. [49] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=49-#x) Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. [50] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=50-#x) And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
[48] "Shall call me blessed": These words are a prediction of that honour which the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin. Let Protestants examine whether they are any way concerned in this prophecy.
[51] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=51-#x) He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. [52] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=52-#x) He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. [53] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=53-#x) He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. [54] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=54-#x) He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:[55] (http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=1&l=55-#x) As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
.
Traditionally, the Church adds a doxology to the end of this prayer, as you find in your missal for use on Holy Saturday.
.
On numerous occasions when I had at one time found every trick in the book to be inadequate, the mere vocal utterance of this Luke 1:51 verse was found to instantly route the demons and send them fleeing into the wilderness from whence they had come.
.
Problem solved.
.
.
Oh, one more thing. 
.
Regarding those who are wont to worry whether "m___" is perhaps, maybe, sort of, not always a mortal sin, all I can say is, A) They've been listening to a Jesuit talking about it somewhere, or B) They have not tried the daily recitation of Our Lady's Magnificat together with the firm intention to overcome the sin of impurity.
.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Neil Obstat on October 20, 2017, 07:15:47 PM
.
"But how am I going to remember Luke 1:51?" you might ask. 
.
Anyone who suffers from the persistent sin of impurity will find it very easy to remember the number 1:51 ...
.
.
(https://s14-eu5.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdydza6t6xitx6.cloudfront.net%2Fci_797.jpg&sp=cb36df3938b0205c036d86227e4e5d0c)
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: DZ PLEASE on October 20, 2017, 07:52:01 PM
The "Three Hail Marys" devotion. 

Sorted my pagan patooty right out quick, fast, and in a hurry. 

Deo gratias et Mariae.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Neil Obstat on October 20, 2017, 10:53:25 PM
Yeah snowball, all forms of sɛҳuąƖ activity outside of marriage are mortally sinful except for nocturnal emissions. Even the thought alone is mortal if sufficiently entertained... even if only for a second!

With that in mind, my only other suggestion for the OP outside some of the very good meditations and prayers that have been suggested here is this: use the Sign of the Cross whenever an impure thought or memory enters into your mind. It's vital to catch them as soon as we are aware of them and for young men this can be many, many times in one day. The Sign of the Cross is quick and easy to do and will be able to match the pace of any temptation that bears down on you. Let the Cross do the work and any other pious image you can produce in your mind's eye.
.
Ever since Vat.II there have been priests teaching children lies by telling them they can fool around with like heavy petting etc., and it's not sinful. That only leads to moral corruption and comes to no good.
.
Our culture (if you can call it that with legalized abortion and pornography) fairly glorifies impurity.  I have known many contemporaries, especially Europeans but the number in America has been growing for 30 years, who firmly believe that to entirely exclude impure thoughts from one's mind one could not possibly be human. They truly believe that it is inherently human to habitually indulge in prurient interest. Furthermore to even attempt to resist such thoughts is equivalent to cheating yourself out of one of life's ESSENTIAL pleasures.
.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
.
Take the news stories swirling around the Harvey Weinstein scandal like maggots on a corpse. I heard a Hollywood movie office representative responding to a man who was threatening to report a case of producer sɛҳuąƖ harassment, by telling him "If you do that, you could ruin an entire industry." Get it? By your REPORTING sɛҳuąƖ impropriety YOU become the problem, and the reason behind this thinking is, that movie producers and power brokers do this all the time and that's what makes Hollywood special. 
.
Get it?
.
When Hugh Hefner was about to die, he was asked by a journalist if he thought he had led a full life, and why he had not settled on just one woman. He had two answers, since it was two questions. He said that he could not imagine any life sweeter than this one, and that he had never met his soul mate. The message here is that there is far more pleasure to be found in adultery and fornication and running a pornography empire than there ever could be by living a faithful life with one spouse. Which is another big lie of our modern world.
.
I knew a man who loved to stare at scantily clad women, and when I said anything about it, his response was, 
"And they wonder why there's rape." 
.
I knew another man who found himself unable to avoid alley encounters with prostitutes, which made no sense to me, so one time when he was telling me about how a particular scene unfolded he said he was talking to her and she started walking around the dumpster into the alley and he had to follow her or else he wouldn't be able to understand what she was saying since her voice was soft and she was saying things he wanted to hear, so he followed her so he could understand her words, and one thing led to another until before you know it... I interrupted him and said, "You have to realize that at some point along the way you made a decision to keep going. I have no question but that if I were to find myself in the exact same situation, I would never have gone through with what you went through with. When she starts leading you around like that you simply do not follow her. Hey, you don't know if she had a pimp back there waiting for you to walk into a trap and get mugged! Besides, what are you doing talking to girls you know are prostitutes in the first place?" He assured me they have a rough life and he likes to help them pay their bills. UUGGGHH.
.
With sins of impurity it's always the same. It starts with a thought. When you give in to the temptation to think about an impure action, you have already given your consent, and continuing to think about it quickly becomes a mortal sin. Any priest who does not make that fact perfectly clear is actually committing a very grievous mortal sin of his own, because of all the listeners who will believe him and then go out living impure lives because of what a priest told them. Such bad advice teaches weak people to play with fire and the more they play with it the sooner they'll get burned, it's not if but when.
.
His prison attendants tried to tempt St. Thomas Aquinas with a prostitute and he grabbed a heavy club threatening to beat her up and she ran away screaming. St. Francis of Assisi rolled around in thorny bushes to quell his body's urges that he wanted to suppress. The Fatima children wore rough cord ropes tightly about their waist, and they never mentioned having to fight against impure thoughts, so they were probably too young for that in the first place. 
.
Blessed Jacinta Marto had to endure a severely painful operation for purulent pleurisy with fistula, osteitis of the 7th and 8th ribs of the same side. She went under the knife to have 2 ribs removed, without effective anesthesia.  Going into that operation she knew the level of pain she would suffer but she was not afraid of that. There was only one concern she had, one fear, and that was her fear that while letting the hospital workers expose her body for preparation, her nudity might tempt one of the male workers to have thoughts of impurity. That is the only time she is on record of ever mentioning thoughts of impurity, and it wasn't even about HER thoughts. She specifically offered all her sufferings for the conversion of sinners to save them from hell, and for the Holy Father.
.
Now THAT is a model of heroic virtue. Anyone who can think of Blessed Jacinta in prep for surgery and still have an impure thought is a sorry sight indeed.
.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: graceseeker on October 21, 2017, 11:59:32 AM


Jesus and all your ancestors are watching you.
When you see a woman in porn, think of the Blessed Mother,
who was a woman.
When you see a depiction of a man in pornogrpahy, think
of Jesus, who was a man.

Learn how to detest pornography. It is your enemy.
Put your efforts into finding a righteous spouse.
In the meantime, if you must masturbate, do so in your bed,
with no pornography. Be in tune to your goals of life.
sounded good until you said "if you have to ... uh.. [do yourself], which is a mortal sin regardless of pornography
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Maria Regina on October 21, 2017, 04:46:00 PM
One of the most powerful prayers is said at the beginning of all prayers in the Eastern Catholic Church.
It is addressed to the All-Holy Spirit, and it begs for purity (purity of intention and attentiveness) and the cleansing of all impurity.

"Glory to Thee, Our God. Glory to Thee.

O Heavenly King, O Comforter, O Spirit of Truth,
Who art everywhere present and fillest all things,
Treasury of blessings, and Giver of Life,

Come and dwell in us; Cleanse us of all impurity;
And save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us (3x)"

I pray this prayer whenever I encounter any temptation. It provides immediate help.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Augustine Linst on October 22, 2017, 09:44:30 AM
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that:

Quote
2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sɛҳuąƖ pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action."138 "The deliberate use of the sɛҳuąƖ faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." For here sɛҳuąƖ pleasure is sought outside of "the sɛҳuąƖ relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved."139

To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.
Has this teaching been inserted in previous catechisms? And, by saying "that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability" does it mean that under some circuмstances, it might NOT EVEN BE A SIN at all? I'm confused now. :o :o
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: DZ PLEASE on October 22, 2017, 12:58:35 PM
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that:
Has this teaching been inserted in previous catechisms? And, by saying "that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability" does it mean that under some circuмstances, it might NOT EVEN BE A SIN at all? I'm confused now. :o :o
"Mission complete".

Some sins, by their very nature, are mortal; this is one of them. 

You should keep minding that pesky sense, and keep asking questions.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Maria Regina on October 22, 2017, 09:48:23 PM
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that:

" 2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sɛҳuąƖ pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action."138 "The deliberate use of the sɛҳuąƖ faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." For here sɛҳuąƖ pleasure is sought outside of "the sɛҳuąƖ relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved."139 "

To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability. "

Has this teaching been inserted in previous catechisms? And, by saying "that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability" does it mean that under some circuмstances, it might NOT EVEN BE A SIN at all? I'm confused now. :o :o
Be very careful. I got rid of my two copies of the CCC because of the fuzzy feel-good heresy expressed in certain sections.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Stubborn on October 23, 2017, 05:52:09 AM
The three hail Mary's prayed in the morning and before bedtime along with the daily rosary are powerful weapons and absolutely must be employed every single day. To this must be added fasting.

We commit sins of impurity, much the same like all sins, i.e. in order to satisfy our selfish desires. Overcome our selfishness and we overcome committing sins of impurity. For most (all?) of us, being selfish is second nature. When we constantly strive to make the effort to habitually give up things for the souls in purgatory, or the glory of God, or for whatever noble reason, we train ourselves in self sacrifice, weaning us out of habitual selfishness with the goal of making it second nature for us to be completely unselfish through self sacrifice.

Fasting is the best and simplest way I know of to get in the habit of self sacrifice. Simply begin by skipping a desert once a day, or having three pancakes instead of four type of thing. I assure you that in only a short time you will know how much fasting you need, but getting in the habit of routinely denying yourself little pleasures, will in only a very short time be an invaluable aid in denying yourself sinful pleasures.

   
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: SusanneT on October 23, 2017, 12:24:45 PM
It is very sad that so many Catholics have bowed to the contemporary view that it is somehow wrong to teach boys that ‘self abuse’ is a sin, something to be ashamed of and something to resist / fight against. 

And even sadder that feminists have managed to propagate the idea that impurity is ‘normal’ or even ‘healthy’ for girls.  

Surely the awareness of sin and what behaviour is sinful needs to be taught to children from the start ? 
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: Ladislaus on October 23, 2017, 01:25:04 PM
Yeah, this subjectivist stuff is a slippery slope.  While there's undoubtedly a subjective component to any sin, understood even in Traditional moral theology, emphasis on the subjective aspect quickly bleeds over into an erosion of the objective side of things.

That's exactly what Francis Bergoglio did with regard to the divorcee fornication issue.

While it is theoretically possible that in some cases culpability can be greatly reduced due to such subjective considerations (addictions, habits, and the like) ... that determination can only be made by God.  So, for instance, if I have never injected heroin before, and I decide to take it, knowing full well that it's a mortal sin, certainly that's a different degree of culpability than an individual isolated failure of the serious addict who almost can't help himself (one a cold, calculating decision ... the other a fall in a desperate state of weakness).  Nevertheless, the presumption must always be that if an objectively grave act has been committed, it is to be treated like a mortal sin and confessed as such.  With regard to the divorce problem, Bergoglio basically decided that an individual and his/her confessor could "discern" the degree of this culpability.  That's utter hogwash.  Only God can do that.  Only God can read the internal forum so as to make that determination.  So the saying goes that De internis ecclesia non judicat. ("The Church makes no judgments regarding the internal forum.")  Similarly here with the sin of self-abuse.  It's possible, even very likely, that there's diminution of moral culpability in the eyes of God in many/most cases, but the act must be treated by us as objectively a grave sin.

Otherwise, what are the consequences?  Hmmm, "I don't think I was fully culpable of this sin."  Next step is that I don't consider it a mortal sin anymore in the practical order.  Next step after that is that I don't even try very hard not to commit the sin ... since in my judgment it's not mortal.  And then, ironically, if it wasn't a mortal sin then, it most certainly is now (when there's no effort to curb it).  Consequently, this subjective consideration bleeds into the objective moral order and essentially destroys it, effectively eliminating the notion of grave sin.
Title: Re: Most effective methods for conquering the sin of lust
Post by: DZ PLEASE on October 23, 2017, 01:31:11 PM
  
Surely the awareness of sin and what behaviour is sinful needs to be taught to children from the start ?
Not if you're the Devil; it's "counterproductive", don't you know? 

It's also hardly an incentive for marriage really, being a hellish form of "DIY"; if you think about it it's "gαy".

Marriage is supposed to be the "fix", so to speak, for those who "burn"; "self-abuse" is a sorry state.