Firm Resolution to Stop

1. Firm Resolution to Stop

A full commitment is needed to NEVER view pornography or masturbate again. We must have the desire to do everything necessary to stop. In 1902 a priest gave instruction on purity to First Communicants. He stated, “Purity at All Cost”. One of his First Communicants was St. Maria Goretti, who gave her life rather than to offend God. What do we value more: our salvation or false pleasure, from a box of wires: a computer, cell phone, I-pad or television?

2. Contrition

We must realize how it offends God, hurts self, and others. Sin truly offends God, our loving creator. We must be truly sorry and have a contrite heart. Sin caused the death of Jesus on the Cross. It injures our soul, and by mortal sin, can cause its death. It also injures our relationship with others, especially wife, or girl friend, friends, co-workers, and injures the mystical body of Christ. We should daily meditate (think about) Jesus on the Cross, which inspires us to be sorrowful.

3. Quickly Fleeing from Temptation

One should NOT battle in the mind, whether or not to allow the image to continue. Sins against purity are never won by battling them. We must flee from the image. We are to immediately focus our mind on something else, especially something else that gives pleasure, yet is not sinful. We should replace the image with a good image. The quicker he turns away from the sinful image, the stronger his will becomes. Temptation is most easily overcome when one flees from it when earliest noticed. We must use our mind like a remote control, so that when we see a bad image in our mind, we must turn the channel to something else. The longer one allows the sinful image in our mind, by battling, or by entertaining the thought, the less control we have, and the stronger the image becomes, such that we are unable to resist and it overwhelms us. Pray out loud, as soon as a temptation occurs, the thought will quickly disappear. These thoughts must also be confessed in confession. Repetitive acts of virtue, by turning away at the very beginning of the temptation, will strengthen the will and one gains control of his thoughts and his life.

4. Frequent Confession

The goal is to confess monthly. However, we should confess immediately after a fall, which may mean to confess more than once a week. First tell the priest how long it’s been since your last confession. If you feel like it may have been a mortal sin, mention how many times. One of the biggest mistakes we can make, is thinking that we only need to confess the act of masturbation. When going to confession, we need to tell the priest we had thoughts of impurity, lust, fantasies, and the desire for them. Begin to confess the desire for an image or lustful thought, even though one has not masturbated, because sin begins in the mind, before the action. It is important to confess the desire to want to have an image, because, the impure desire, is really a desire to sin. It is best to not wait until a fall happens, rather to regularly confess venial sins, which will prevent mortal sins. Frequent falls may require weekly confession.

5. Frequent Holy Communion

Go to Mass every Sunday, and when possible during the week. By receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, he receives grace to avoid sin.

6. Daily Prayer

Daily Prayer to God to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, is absolutely necessary. Pray 15 min. to 30 min. every day. Use A.C.T.S. (Adore God, Confess to God, Thank God, Supplication- praying for the intentions of yourself and for others.) We need help from God to stop. Praying a Holy Hour before the Eucharist once a week, or more often when possible, is a tremendous way to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. St. Alphonsus Ligouri said to Pray 3 Hail Marys to Our Lady every day for the grace of purity and She will grant it. And pray with the heart (talk to Her like a tender Mother She is) to the Virgin Mary. Daily pray to St. Joseph and to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the gift of purity of heart, mind, body and soul.

7. Avoid the Occasion of Sin

Destroy ALL Pornography NOW. Including CD’s, videos, files and magazines. Get a Filter.

www.pyurweb.com

www.covenanteyes.com

-Create a Password you cannot remember. Give the password to your spouse, or friend, or to place it behind a crucifix or picture.

-Disconnect Internet or discontinue cell phones, I-pads. If your problem is at work, move your computer into an area where others can view what you are doing. Leave your door open. If Television is the source, don’t watch it! Sounds hard, but it’s worth it to protect your soul.

8. Develop a Protection Plan

Cancel subscriptions to newspapers containing images, take a different route home-knowing you may be tempted to purchase a magazine or see a billboard, avoid shopping at stores that carry items of temptation.

9. Avoid Location of Incidents

If the shower is your problem, take a quick shower- Get in and out - turn on cold water. If fantasy occurs when one lies down to sleep, take a crucifix with you in the bed itself.

10. Increase Social Life

Avoid loneliness. If a temptation begins, call someone, go to visit a friend, take a walk, or go to a store. A person ought to have good friendships, which will help the person to not be as lonely. If he feels the need, he may join an anti-pornographic group at a parish or a Men’s Virtue Group such as Men’s Familia, or St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers, That Man is You or Sexaholics Anonymous www.sa.org Wichita, 316-942-9041.

11. Keep Busy

When one is conscious of the desire, or if a lustful thought or fantasy begins, immediately distract yourself by keeping busy so that your mind focuses on something else. Not doing anything is a danger, which can lead to a wandering mind. By keeping busy, working, playing, reading, recreating, socializing, etc.., the person has fewer opportunities for the mind to wander and to seek those things which may lead to temptations.

12. Mortification

To mortify means to die to self. When we die to self, we do not allow pleasures to control our life, such as masturbation. And so we strengthen our will, by not giving into pleasures and practicing patience. For example, we make our self, drive the speed limit. We can avoid immediately turning on the air-conditioner when hot, or heat when we are cold, and force ourselves to wait. When the thought comes to eat ice cream, we can make ourselves wait 20 minutes before going to the freezer, or don’t eat it at all. If we want to get a pop out of the fridge, we can make ourselves wait, or drink water instead. Avoid eating dessert. We should avoid giving into our desires immediately. If we want a snack, we can avoid eating one today. A powerful means of Mortification is to FAST once or twice a week by eating bread and water (or only fruit). Wednesdays and Fridays were traditionally fast days in the early Church. Later Saturdays became days of fasting in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We should eat foods we dislike-- over those we like. We can do something for others, such as serving at a soup kitchen, or volunteering at the parish.

13. Reducing Stress by Exercising

When we feel stressed from work or problems with family or relationships-- regular exercise, purifies the body and helps the body to deal with stress, making it easier for us to fight temptations. Also, getting proper sleep is very beneficial.

14. Food Moderation

The lack of balance in one area (intemperance), especially an area of the appetite affects other appetites. When one eats immoderately (too much), the will is weakened, and is not as able to moderately control other passions such as lust and masturbation. Make yourself eat moderately. Pray for the gift of temperance.

15. Fill the Mind with Good Things

Read the bible, spiritual books, watch religious videos, read lives of the saints, study the Catholic faith. Avoid Television & the Internet!

Remember It takes Patience!

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