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!
Hope for Freedom
15 WAYS
to
PURITY
for
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