Peace Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 If it is not one thing it is another. OK. So I have been waging a battle against pornography the past few weeks. And I have been doing a pretty good job of it if I don't say so myself. So here is what happened. I set up this web-filtering service on my home network using this website: https://www.opendns.com/ I have it set up so that if I attempt to go to a porno site it automatically blocks the site and displays the following Bible quote instead: Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." Pretty hilarious right? But we have to do what we have to do. It might be corny but it's better than burning in hell for all eternity, I will tell you that. So I was testing out the filtering service and setting up some other things on my computer to make sure that none of that stuff gets through. At some point while I was testing it out, I think on Google some dirty photographs got through. So I saw them for a couple of seconds. Yeah - I was tempted to look at them longer - I am a man! But I did not. I just went back to the task of figuring out how to block that stuff from getting through. So then I was at Mass today and I was getting all worried. I was trying to talk myself out of receiving communion. Like - did I look at the photos for too long? Am I in a state of mortal sin? Then I was all like what about that online dating site I visited the other day - didn't you have lustful thoughts when you emailed that girl? It's crazy. I mean. It wasn't like that. I was trying to set up my computer so that that stuff does not get through and that is the honest truth. I am pretty sure there was no mortal sin involved. But I was getting scrupulous about it. It is pretty annoying - and it has happened at other times in the past when I have tried to "clean up" various areas of my life if you will. It's like I find myself at these extremes - either sinning without a care in the world, or just completely wound up and worrying myself silly about whether each and every little thing might be a sin . . . I am pretty sure that is what drove Martin Luther nuts. But hopefully I won't end up going down the same route . . . Anyway . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 (edited) Here's something to remember to fight scruples sin is in the will. Not imagination feelings or thoughts. Edited August 3, 2015 by MarysLittleFlower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veritasluxmea Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 If it's any help, forget about Martin Luther. St Maximilian Kolbe, Ignatious of Loyola, Therese of Liseaux, and Alphonsus Liguori all suffered from scrupulosity, some for life. God can use it to really bring someone into the depths of His mercy- you just have to learn how. The only thing I can recommend is get a good spiritual director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 I know there might be questions like: did I will it or not? You basically know if you willed something or not. Usually for a scrupulous conscience being unsure means you didn't will it, whereas for a lax conscience it tends to be the opposite. I suggest getting a confessor / SD if you don't already obedience to a confessor is how to get out of this. If it's any help, forget about Martin Luther. St Maximilian Kolbe, Ignatious of Loyola, Therese of Liseaux, and Alphonsus Liguori all suffered from scrupulosity, some for life. God can use it to really bring someone into the depths of His mercy- you just have to learn how. The only thing I can recommend is get a good spiritual director. and St Padre Pio when he was younger I think I need to check that fact I recommend this: https://littlestsouls.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/more-helpful-tips-for-the-scrupulous-2/ And this, https://littlestsouls.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/an-infallible-cure-for-scrupulosity/ "Contradiction, sickness, scruples, spiritual aridity, and all the inner and outward torments are the chisel with which God carves His statues for Paradise.” – St Alphonsus Liguori Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven77 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Peace, Ha! Yeah… I know how that can be. I've experienced similar stuff like that. Sometimes it's like: grave matter? Check. sufficient reflection? I think so. full consent of the will? um... I'm not sure about that. A priest told me to be honest and open my heart before God, and ask myself, what was my motive for doing that? Was love involved? Sometimes--- not saying that that is what you did--- I find that I knowingly put myself in an occasion of sin in order to catch just a glimpse accidentally. Also curiosity can be dangerous as I'm sure you're aware. Recently, I joined something called the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, a Catholic spiritual association run by the Dominicans. You make pledge to pray for chastity in your own state of life, you wear a reminder of your commitment, and you benefit from and contribute to prayers to to be pure for all the members of the confraternity wherever they are. I can't recommend it enough. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice_nine Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 my life. Especially when I go to Mass, or try to pray, or especially before receiving the Eucharist. Did I sin? Did I confess all my sins fully? Super annoying. So far my strategy is just try to ignore it and turn to God anyway. I hate to be one of those "the devil is attacking me" types but I figure it might be the devil trying to get at me a bit. Jack ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 It sounds to me like you're trying to fight the good fight. Do the best you can and entrust the rest to God's mercy. Key to fighting scruples is finding that balance and having a well-formed conscience. One that holds us accountable when we should be, but places us in the trust of God's mercy during times of distress and doubt. Many scrupulants also benefit from having a spiritual director. http://mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupanon.htm (some resources about scruples here. I've read Fr. Santa's book.) I just don't view life as filled with traps overseen by an angry God waiting to toss us into hell. I really believe the damned just don't care at all or just don't believe in God's mercy and can't allow themselves to be forgiven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) my life. Especially when I go to Mass, or try to pray, or especially before receiving the Eucharist. Did I sin? Did I confess all my sins fully? Super annoying. So far my strategy is just try to ignore it and turn to God anyway. I hate to be one of those "the devil is attacking me" types but I figure it might be the devil trying to get at me a bit. Jack ass. Yeah the accuser steps in when we try and do what is right and just. It sounds to me like you're trying to fight the good fight. Do the best you can and entrust the rest to God's mercy. Key to fighting scruples is finding that balance and having a well-formed conscience. One that holds us accountable when we should be, but places us in the trust of God's mercy during times of distress and doubt. Many scrupulants also benefit from having a spiritual director. http://mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupanon.htm (some resources about scruples here. I've read Fr. Santa's book.) I just don't view life as filled with traps overseen by an angry God waiting to toss us into hell. I really believe the damned just don't care at all or just don't believe in God's mercy and can't allow themselves to be forgiven. Unsure scruples is solely to do with God being a judgmental overlord, i get scruples yet don't have an over exacted fear of being cast into hell though i understand a little bit the reality of hell, perhaps not enough. My scruples are just when i try to address areas in my life that are sinful then the enemy steps in and accuses me over just about anything to cause me to get frustrated sin and give up. My scruples are just when i try to address areas in my life that are sinful then the enemy steps in and accuses me over just about anything to cause me to get frustrated than sin for comfort cause its easy and then give up my pursuit of holyness. Edited August 4, 2015 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Unsure scruples is solely to do with God being a judgmental overlord, i get scruples yet don't have an over exacted fear of being cast into hell though i understand a little bit the reality of hell, perhaps not enough. I never said scruples had soley to do with the concept of a judgmental God. It's one of many things people can feel scrupulous about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightofChrist Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) My mother wrote "Program your conscience to the vision of God" on two pieces of paper tape and placed them on the top and bottom of the computer monitor. Having three sons she new the dangers of the internet. She also had statues of Mary and Jesus at the computer. Which I also do even now, which helps during any temptation to look at any unclean thing on the internet. Edited August 4, 2015 by KnightofChrist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) I never said scruples had soley to do with the concept of a judgmental God. It's one of many things people can feel scrupulous about. just saying, no pun intended Edited August 5, 2015 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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