Lust

[God Conquers]

I just wanted to say that repressing sexual emotions will not help anyone.

It's not bad to do the stuff like jumping into rosebushes, taking cold showers etc. but ultimately will not lead to a healthy attitude towards sex and sexuality.

This stuff, these feeling can't be pushed inside, they have to be REDEEMED by Christ. Given up freely, not pushed into a deep recess of the mind. Pray, pray, pray. Try to offer it up. If you're not there yet then ok, look away, jump in the shower etc. But you have to give your whole being to Christ, not just hide it away.

[cmotherofpirl]

Nobody is interested in repressing it, just re-directing it into other activities and regulating what you spend your time thinking about.

You have to get to the point that you acknowledge something is beautiful and or desirable, and then move on to something else.

( like when I see Mel Gibson )

[Uncle Gus]

There is a difference between natural sexual desires and lust. Suppressing sexual desires is wrong, yes, but suppressing lust is virtuous.

[God Conquers]

Suppressing lust is ok to do. I'm just saying it's not ideal. If you need to guard your eyes than please do it. Just realize that repression can sometimes be a way of hiding things from Christ, instead of offering it to Him to purify.

[Jake Huether]

I was just thinking...

There are many many Saints no doubt. But I'd have to point out the fact that the greater portion of them lived pretty isolated lives. And the ones that didn't, weren't in California.

I'd have to say that I think, in regards to the level of armor one must put on now to fight temptation, being a Saint AINT gettin any easier.

But then again, the Treasure in heaven must be getting bigger and bigger.

I sometimes wish I were blind. I wouldn't have to stand in line at the store and see all those magazines, or turn on the TV to be bombarded with half naked actresses, or have the internet at my fingure tips to tempt me, or go to the mall only to wish I hadn't.

But then, I suppose, if I was blind, I'd have to find a new profession.

Errrr. Catch 22's I hate them.

[CatholicAndFanatical]

I feel ya Jake. I chose St. Augustine as my patron saint because he dealt with the same stuff im dealing with as well. But later on I started to think about my decision and wondered if I made the rigth decision. St. Augustine was able to become a Priest, in a way he was able to get away from the world and become 'blind' if you will by not being exposed to it anymore. It just seems easier like that..not sure if it really is, but if your cloistered I dont see how you can become tempted as much as you would if you were on the outside world watching tv or being on the internet.

I mean im sure my temptations would be cut in half if I could become a Priest and dedicate every second of the day staying busy doing God's work rather than staying idle doing my own work. Now I kinda understand why my Priests very rarely go out of their house's unless it has to do with God.

[Jake Huether]

I feel ya Jake. I chose St. Augustine as my patron saint because he dealt with the same stuff im dealing with as well. But later on I started to think about my decision and wondered if I made the rigth decision. St. Augustine was able to become a Priest, in a way he was able to get away from the world and become 'blind' if you will by not being exposed to it anymore. It just seems easier like that..not sure if it really is, but if your cloistered I dont see how you can become tempted as much as you would if you were on the outside world watching tv or being on the internet.

  I mean im sure my temptations would be cut in half if I could become a Priest and dedicate every second of the day staying busy doing God's work rather than staying idle doing my own work. Now I kinda understand why my Priests very rarely go out of their house's unless it has to do with God.

Now that I think of it though...

The mind IS a dangerous thing.

I don't know that I would like to be left to my imagination.

But then again, there woudn't be much to imagine if I hadn't seen it already.

I suppose we could never know until we've walked both sides of the line.

But I do think that it's getting harder to remain "pure". I am so mad at our society. They just don't know what they are doing to our youngsers. If Britney Spears only knew what influence she had. Oh, but what a great Millstone she will have if she doesn't repent and renew her life.

Can you imagine if we clothed ourselves modestly and waited till we were married for sex. How incredibly amesome it would be! I mean, if you had no other women to compare your wife too, she would be the MOST beautiful! How the divorce rate would plummit!

Wishful thinking...

Sorry for rambling...

[nikkan_hanil]

It has taken me eveyr bit of moral fiber not to respond to this post... -_-;

[Jake Huether]

It has taken me eveyr bit of moral fiber not to respond to this post... -_-;

????

[Pontifex]

On the Subject of Lust and Thoughts:

First of all a distinction must be made between a sexual thought and a lustful thought. Sexual thoughts are natural, and part of being a human being. They come and go frequently, especially in males. Sex is an amazing gift and it is the strongest drive we have, next to the will to survive.

A sexual thought becomes lustful when we pull it down into hearts, by willfully dwelling upon it. If at the moment you realize you are thinking something that is not helpful, and you turn from that, there is no matter for sin present. Yet, if you dwell on it, then of course you have sinned. You cannot keep a bird from landing on your head, but you can keep one from building a nest. Think about it.

My advice is not to be scared of the thoughts but to turn them into praises. If you are a male, like myself, that finds women attractive, and you happen to see a woman that knocks your socks off, then simply praise God for the beauty of his creation. Say to God, "Man God, you really did well there, I praise you for that." Keeping in mind the need to have a good control your eyes and being vigilant.

The worst thing you can do, is repress all sexual emotion as if it is a bad thing. If you try to be a dictator to the passions, they will revolt.

I would like to share a prayer that I pray everyday to Our Blessed Mother:

Mother Mary, obtain for me a deep sense of modesty, which will be reflected in my external conduct. Protect my eyes the window of my soul from anything that would dim the luster of a heart that must mirror only Christ-Like purity. And when the bread of angels becomes my food in Holy Communion seal my heart forever against the suggestion of sinful pleasures. May I be numbered among those whom Jesus spoke, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."

Peace to you all, and keeping fighting the good fight of faith,

Fr. Pontifex

[nikkan_hanil]

Thanks for clearing that up for me! :D

[CatholicAndFanatical]

Amen Father, thank you for your insight on this. I just prayed that prayer you posted.

I will print it out and keep it with me and add this to my morning prayers.

[Pontifex]

I have found that prayer to be a comfort in the midst of the struggle. The words are sooooo powerful.

Peace Bro

[Theologian in Training]

Agreed Fr. I do also like Uncle Gus' idea, especially in light of your post, when it is lust, of course

Actually, I found Chris West's Book "Good News About Sex and Marriage" excellent for that distinction, as well as Cantalamessa's "Virginity," both of which I needed to read for IPF.

God Bless

[VeraMaria]

Actually St. Francis is the Thornbush guy . . . Benedict was in a cave for a lot of years . . . thorn bushes don't grow in caves!

didn't he roll in white snow because he wanted to be as clean and pure as snow?