Confessionator741 Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 (edited) :ph34r: Ok... Most of you know who I am by now, I am Confessionator741 or B. But B has a problem, and as embarassing as it is, im sure that I am not the only one dealing with it. And i hope that by me starting the issue, more people will realize how bad this "epidemic" is and maybe learn how to "deal" with it. > > > > > > > Ok, now that you have made the effort to scroll down... I have problems (or i guess maybe and addiction) with pornography and the following actions. Now i know for a fact that i am in no way the only 17 year old dealing with a problem of this sorts. I do know that severity, control, and realization of the problem are key factors in that as well. I didnt know it was a "bad" thing until I started researching the catechism. From then on it has been a conscious battle. Please, this particular sin is one that really gets on my nerves. I hate turing inward, when i could be turning outward. A priest once told me that "It isnt like some other sins, other sins can be committed in public, where people can tell you that you are doing wrong. This so much isnt a sin where the "public" can take notice." If any of you can offer tools, or tips, prayers.... please do. If anybody knows of any web filters, or blockers....post them. Any help with be amazing, not only for me, but also for those that will read your posts. tahnk you B Edited March 5, 2004 by Confessionator741 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoketos Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 A modern interpretation of Matthew 5 would be... If your computer causes you to sin, get rid of it. If your TV causes you to sin, throw it out the window. Better to get into heaven with out porn of the web, and 199 channels of trash, than be left out with it. Practical Advice, when you feel like you as if you have to sin, place your self in the form of a Cross (this position has spiritual reason as well). If it feels like your head, chest, hands, groin, are going to explode, let them. Personal: Every one I have met that was born in the last 100 years is tempted, most including myself have fallen. I suffer from the chains of addiction to this. I was not free to say no. Thus, I could not afford my self a chance to decide. Thus, I stopped using the computer, watching TV, and slept in the form of a Cross. I am free now. The though of porn is revolting. I have been free for years now. It is possible. What you really have to do: Decide that you want to be free more then want to be aroused. (Ladies do not read on) > > > You must decide between Heaven or an sterile boner... > > > > > > > My prayers are with you, you can win. Christ said go and sin no more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 I found that getting through the 1st 5 days is 1/2 the battle. After that the time between day 14-30 is the rest. Just try and do it. Pray a lot and go to Reconciliation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike2theg Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Hey, The only way to beat this problem is to fight it. If being on the computer is a problem don't get online. If you really need to put the Bible or a statue or something right by it. That way you keep your mind off of bad stuff. Like you said, it isn't a public sort of thing. That means if you are being tempted, get out of there! Talk to somebody, go for a walk, don't be alone! Another huge help is to pray as soon as you are tempted. A Hail Mary or Prayer to St. Michael usually helps. This is a sin that you have to face head on. It needs to be taken care of or it will control you. One book that I read is Every Man's Battle. It's not totally Catholic but it's got some great strategies for beating lust. Also accountability helps. If you have another guy that you can confide in, tell them. That way you can both watch each other and help out. This is not a battle you can win alone. Finally realize that this is not something that you can ever probably get rid of. Men are easily stimulated. Just fight and trust in God. Remember: "No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength;but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) I'll be praying for you. your brother in arms, mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dUSt Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Some things you might try: 1. Keep a cruxifix or picture of Mary right next to your computer monitor. It's hard to view pornography with the mental image of them staring at you. 2. At the first hint of the urge, do something else! Idleness is the Devil's playground. It's easier to control if you stop the urge before it gets too strong. 3. Go to [url="http://www.xxxchurch.com"]http://www.xxxchurch.com[/url]. They have an accountability program, where you sign up--and then every time you visit websites with pornographic content, an e-mail gets sent to your accountability partner. But, the most important thing is to go to confession frequently! I can't stress this enough. Go every week if you have to. When I struggle with this problem, I'm in confession that Saturday. There's been spans where I've been in confession every single week. Another thing that helps me is daily mass. When I make a commitment to receive His body every day, it makes it easier to avoid sin, because I'm like, "well, if I do this, I won't be able to receive Him tomorrow morning". Christ, through His Church, has provided us with tools to strengthen our relationship with Him. We have to take advantage of them as much as we can. Your relationship with God is like any other. Your actions will determine how faithful you are in that relationship. God never does anything to offend us, but we are always doing things that offend Him. Like any relationship, we must say we're sorry as soon as possible, and by going to confession, we are showing Him that we truly are sorry. You're definitely not alone in your struggle. Hope this helps. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 (edited) [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=7607"]Viva la Résistance![/url] bro, IRON SHARPENS IRON, you know that proverb! it's gotta be our battle cry! hehe, blazer, you don't have any copyrights to the Bible so i'm stealing that from you "As iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another" ( i forget the chapter/verse but whatever) i'm here for ya man. [quote]Autobiography in Five Short chapters by Portia Nelson 1. I walk, down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I'm lost... I am helpless It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. 2. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place. But, it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. 3. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I still fall in . . . It's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. 4. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. 5. I walk down another street[/quote] any of this sound familiar? i am on #3 there... i heard that story about your mom... umm... let me go cry now that makes me SOOO sad. Arise, oh Lord, and let Thine enemies be scatter, and let those that hate Thee or have no clue about what Thou teachest flee from before Thy Face! ... ergh. seriously, the resistance is here for ya. counting to day 21 or whatever isn't what it's about, i always knew that. hopefully i didn't overemphasize that for ya. [quote]"It isnt like some other sins, other sins can be committed in public, where people can tell you that you are doing wrong. This so much isnt a sin where the "public" can take notice."[/quote] true. who said that? it makes sense. with the resistance and that accoutability software we havta make it public. it thrives on the darkness, pull it out into the light and make yourself accountable to everyone on PhatMass, then it IS a public sin, the devil would rather it remain secret and private. i've been lookin for filtering software, the only free thing i found was this WE BLOCKER or somethin.. it's not that great but it basically works. i set Google preferences on strict censoring then blocked the site that changes Google preferences. maybe make the password I LOVE JESUS or somethin, or have me or -I---Love come over and set a password for ya so you don't even know it i love ya bro, i'm prayin for ya. the whole resistance is prayin for ya, we'll fight tha dev off. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. and do thou, oh prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Edited March 5, 2004 by Aloysius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 I just set the IE fiddler to block all the sites I know and I set the password to something religious, I half forgot it, lol. But I suppose that is the goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Pray for the intercession of Mary! St. Benedict used to through himself into a thorn bush every time he had lustful thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 [quote name='Iacobus' date='Mar 5 2004, 11:40 AM'] I just set the IE fiddler to block all the sites I know and I set the password to something religious, I half forgot it, lol. But I suppose that is the goal. [/quote] do that, but have a friend or family member set the password for you so you don't know what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Confessionator741 Posted March 5, 2004 Author Share Posted March 5, 2004 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I cant thank you enough for all of your help. Theoketos your insight is amazing, Iacobus the true war is in the first few days the rest is a battle, mike2theg i will be walking alot more!, dUSt your tips are amazing, thank you, Aloysius bro iron sharpens iron fo shizzle, Iacobus religious words will now be my passwords, Raphael Mary Mother of God Pray for us, Lil Red Devil i think i will have to have aloysius come set my passwords. Thank you, thank you. PRay for me, and all others stuggling. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Since, everyone has offered some great advice, I just want to add one thing. In those situations, in any situation when we feel as though we are not in control, or completely abandoned, whatever it is that makes you lose the presence or even the conscious awareness of God, you have to say, "You are better, stronger, and more powerful than this, You are God." Sometimes it is easy to look beyond that simple reality by getting lost in our own selves, struggles, temptations, difficulties, etc. You have to remember that you are weak and He is strong, your strength, everything you have, has come from Him, and He is the one in control. "You are better, stronger, and more powerful than me, You are God." God Bless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 i would just like to add that it isn't just guys that suffer from this problem so all you gals out there, you are not alone either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted March 6, 2004 Share Posted March 6, 2004 Ladies....please don't read this post either. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . The chances of a woman being tempted with sexual sin is less likely than that of a man, but it can definitely still be a problem. Get Every Man's Battle. The techniques in Every Man's Battle only work on one condition: You are ready to go to war. Because that is what it is. It is a WAR. Satan is much smarter than you and he knows how to trip you up. Unless you are totally and truly committed to beating it, it won't happen. Masturbation and Porn are problems not because we are "addicted to the act" but it is because of the state of our mind. If our mind goes into the gutter, we fail. If it doesn't, we'll be okay. I've struggled with this problem for years. Pornography and masturbation. I've been committed to beating it before. My wife is my accountability partner and if I fail I have to tell her and see the hurt in her eyes. I can tell you that I'm still tempted at times, but with her holding me to the highest standards of purity, coupled with my new find of using the Rosary, praise God, the tides to my own battle are turning. The moment you have an inkling to sin, get the heck away from the computer. Find a place, preferably with other people, and pray. Win the battles day by day. You can't win the war without winning the small battles. If you can win a victory at a time- focus on NOT sinning one day at a time, you CAN beat it. And you are in no way alone. At the very least at least 90% of men struggle with it. I have only met one man who pretty much never fails anymore, but did in their teens. I'm praying I'll be the second person I know. God Bless....GO TO WAR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFrozen Posted March 6, 2004 Share Posted March 6, 2004 Hi, Confessionator. I will be praying for you! My advice to you is to remember that God hates sin. When we sin, we are turning our backs on God and telling Him that our selfish wants are more important than Him. You certainly don't consciously feel this way, but that is what you are saying. Remember to go to confession! Priests are human and they struggle with sin, too. A priest will be able to help you. Here's a link to CyberPatrol, which is a fiddler you can download. [url="http://download.com.com/3000-2366-10217618.html"]http://download.com.com/3000-2366-10217618.html[/url] I will definitely be praying for you! You have God on your side. With Him, you will conquer this!! God bless. Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life… James 1:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thicke Posted March 6, 2004 Share Posted March 6, 2004 I've got some advice that is a little diffrent. Get lots and lots of exercise! It sounds silly, but if you have already physically exerted yourself that day, you are going to be less inclined to physically exert yourself again. I would suggest doing a "walking Rosary". Get up early in the morning and pray the Rosary (with your intention that you can overcome this problem) while taking a walk, or if your in better shape than me a jog. That's like killing two birds with one stone, in the natural and supernatural worlds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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