Addiction To Sin

[Guest Hazillow]

Hey,

I, like many males, struggle with the sin of masturbation. I know it's sick, and wrong, and dehumanizing, yet I do it anyway.

Not because I want to, but because of some physical need to do it. I honestly believe I am addicted to it.

Is this still a mortal sin when I do it, because this isn't my will? I understand that it's still a bad thing to do, and I should keep struggling with it, but I'm just wondering.

Am I held fully accountable for my sin?

p.s. No matter what you guys say, I will still try not to do it. I know a few of you might want to say that it isn't all my fault, but won't, because that might make me give in to the temptation. Did that make any sense at all?

Anyway, thanks.

[Pontifex]

For one thing, you are not sick for masturbating. Shaming yourself more and more is not going to help you to overcome this obstacle.

Masturbation is a serious sin because it turns us in on ourselves and steals vital energy away that we need to love others. In order for this action to be a mortal sin for you, the action has to be serious (we stated that it is), you have to know that its wrong (And you know it), and you have to choose it freely. (This is where many people are stuck.) Many times an action like this can be so rooted in our behavior that it becomes habitual and almost second nature. When one finds a strong conviction that it is wrong and wants to change they find it difficult. It sounds like you are not committing a mortal sin, but this is not a license to lie down under it either. You must seek to rid yourself of this, but only with God's help.

Be assurred of God's Grace as you seek to be freed from this habitual behavior. It is not something that will go away over night, but you must continue to wrestle against it. No matter how many times you fall, get up, ask for forgiveness, and try with all your heart not to sin again. It could be the very thing that God uses to make you a Saint. So, never give up. Keep fighting the good fight of faith, and pray for the Grace to love God so much that you want nothing else.

Peace,

Fr. P