Michael Brooks
Lust is one of the seven deadly sins, and it is a vice that many people struggle with. It is a particularly challenging issue in modern times due to the prevalence of sexualized media and the normalization of immodesty. For Catholics, lust is a serious matter that can have spiritual consequences. To combat lust, one must first recognize it as a spiritual attack and then take proactive measures such as seeking guidance from the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and other saints who exemplified chastity. Additionally, it is crucial to cultivate a strong prayer life, memorize scripture, and seek accountability from a trusted brother in Christ. Overcoming lust is a lifelong journey that requires perseverance, repentance, and a constant redirection of thoughts and desires toward holiness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recognise lust as a spiritual attack | "Live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16-17 |
| Reading, meditating on, and memorising scripture | Redirect thoughts and desires |
| Praying | Pray to your guardian angel, St. Michael the Archangel, and Our Lady, the Mother of Purity |
| Accountability | Find a male accountability partner to keep you accountable to your good resolutions to conquer lust |
| Confession | Confess your sins to a priest |
| Support | Check with your local parish and diocesan chancery to see if they have any support groups |
| Literature | Read The Catechism, paragraphs 2337-54, and books by Jason and Crystalina Evert |
| Therapy | Seek help from a Catholic licensed therapist |
| Fashion | Avoid immodest clothing and dress modestly |
| Media consumption | Avoid pornography, explicit material, and sexual objectification |
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What You'll Learn
Recognise spiritual attack and pray
Recognising a spiritual attack is paramount to overcoming lust. The Devil and Satan work in subtle ways, poking and prodding at our weak points, and we are constantly pulled towards the darker side. Lust is a powerful temptation as it is embedded in our nature to procreate, and it can often be the result of long preparations for assault.
Lust is a sin that must always be avoided, and one should never presume themselves strong enough to face it. It is not conquered by facing it but by fleeing. One must always be vigilant and recognise the spiritual attack to then be able to resist it. Satan will try to lure us away from God's commandments and convince us that we don't need to follow them. This is a key indicator of a spiritual attack. If we feel drawn away from the 10 Commandments, we are most certainly under spiritual attack.
To recognise and overcome a spiritual attack, one must pray and turn to God. Praying every day, resisting temptation, and pursuing virtue are essential. It is a slow and steady interior grind against your weaknesses. One must also form their conscience well in the 10 Commandments and not just focus on the more obvious ones. It is important to test the voice/decision and see if it creates peace or anxiety in your heart. If it is the latter, it is likely a spiritual attack.
Additionally, seeking help from local Catholic organisations or parishes can be beneficial, as they may have resources to assist you. Consecration to Mary, the Mother of Purity, is also paramount in defeating the enemy, and St. Joseph, the Terror of Demons, is a great intercessor. The Eucharist, confession, fasting, and prayer are all essential tools in the fight against the Devil.
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Avoid temptation and confess sins
Lust is considered one of the seven deadly sins in Catholicism, and it is a sin that must be avoided at all costs. The Catholic Church teaches that the only way to overcome lust is by fleeing from it, rather than facing it. This means that one should never put themselves near any form of temptation that might lead to lustful thoughts or actions.
To avoid temptation, one can turn to prayer and confession. Prayer is a way to connect with God and acknowledge the good He brings into our lives. Regular and intentional prayer can help one avoid temptation and sin in the future. Additionally, one can seek guidance from a priest through confession. The priest can offer counsel and help the penitent learn how to avoid sin and temptation in the future. It is important to note that confession is not only for the absolution of sins but also for receiving grace to overcome future sins.
Confessing past mortal sins can give grace and help one grow in holiness and overcome lust. The Blessed Mother, also known as Our Lady, is revered as the Mother of Purity, and one can turn to her in times of temptation. St. John Cassian suggests thinking about one's sister or mother when encountering lustful thoughts, and Our Lady, as the Immaculate Mother, can be a source of comfort and protection.
In addition to prayer and confession, one can seek help from an accountability partner, preferably another man who can challenge and support one's resolutions to conquer lust. This person can be called upon when one is being tempted and can provide accountability and encouragement. It is also recommended to seek further reading and resources, such as the Catechism, paragraphs 2337-54, and support groups within local parishes or dioceses.
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Seek support and accountability
Seeking support and accountability is a crucial step in overcoming lust, and there are several ways to go about it. Firstly, it is recommended to find an accountability partner, preferably another man if you are male. This person will help keep you accountable to your resolutions to conquer lust and provide support when you are tempted. It is important to have someone who can challenge you to fight against this sin and keep you on track.
Additionally, frequent confession is advised. Confession not only absolve your sins but also gives you the grace to overcome future sins. It is important to confess mortal sins against lust, even if you have not committed them since your last confession. This practice can help you grow in holiness and overcome lustful tendencies.
Another way to seek support is to turn to the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, who are considered great examples and intercessors regarding chastity. Our Lady, as the Mother of Purity, is believed to offer tender help and protection to those struggling with lust. St. John Cassian suggests that thinking about a female relative, such as a sister or mother, during temptation can help one resist lustful thoughts and actions.
You can also seek support from your local parish or diocesan chancery, which may offer support groups or resources to help with overcoming lust and pornography addiction. Online resources, such as those provided by the Diocese of Kansas City, Kansas, or Catholic Answers' website Chastity.com, can also be a good source of information and support.
Finally, seeking professional help from a Catholic licensed therapist, such as Dr. Peter Kleponis, who specializes in helping people with pornography addictions, can provide you with expert guidance and support tailored to your needs.
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Learn to differentiate desire and lust
The Catholic Church defines lust as the "idolatry of sexual pleasure", which destroys the human capacity to love. Lust is considered a sin, and is differentiated from sexual desire, which is deemed natural and ordered.
So, how can we distinguish between lust and sexual desire?
Firstly, consider the context in which these feelings arise. Lust often arises randomly, without prompting, and can feel overwhelming and distracting. In contrast, sexual desire arises from an emotional connection, shared joy or suffering, or growth in knowledge and friendship with someone.
Secondly, examine the object of your attraction. Is it focused solely on physical appearance or a particular body part? If so, it may be veering into lust. Sexual desire, on the other hand, involves desiring the whole person, including their physical attractiveness.
Thirdly, reflect on the intentions behind your feelings. Are your thoughts focused on your own pleasure and satisfaction, or are they directed towards the good of the other person? Lust is inherently self-centred, while sexual desire can deepen authentic love and be directed towards God.
Additionally, pay attention to the feelings associated with your attraction. Lust often comes with an edge or a "crazed" feeling, while sexual desire, especially for someone deeply loved, is often accompanied by tenderness or even an ache, which can be directed heavenward.
Finally, consider the actions you take after experiencing attraction. Do you objectify the person, reducing them to an instrument for your pleasure? Or do you respect their personal dignity and direct your desires towards pure intentions?
Distinguishing between lust and sexual desire is a challenging but crucial aspect of spiritual growth, helping to foster healthy relationships and a deeper connection with God.
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Focus on chastity and purity
Lust is one of the seven deadly sins and is considered one of the most terrifying and fearsome enemies on the spiritual battlefield. It is a powerful temptation because it is embedded in our nature to procreate. It is also a sin that can overcome the unwary Christian soul like a flash flood, worming its way under the skin and planting seeds of temptation.
The first step to getting rid of lust is to acknowledge that you are powerless against it and must flee. This means removing yourself from any hint of temptation. For example, removing pornography, pictures of girls on your computer or phone, and avoiding TV shows or movies with explicit material.
The second step is to find an accountability partner, preferably another man who can keep you accountable to your good resolutions to conquer lust. This person should be someone you can call upon when you are being tempted and who can challenge you to fight against this sin.
The third step is to confess your sins. Confession absolves your sins and gives grace to overcome future sins. You can confess to a priest, or you can also run to Our Lady, the Mother of Purity, who will help you with the tenderness of a mother and give you protection.
The fourth step is to focus on chastity and purity. This means seeing your fellow human beings as beloved children of God rather than mere objects of your lust. It also means learning the difference between desire and lust, and between perceiving the attraction of beauty and the dehumanizing objectification of another person.
Some practical tips to help you focus on chastity and purity include:
- Praying for God's grace
- Reading, meditating on, and memorizing scripture to redirect your thoughts and desires
- Praying to your guardian angel or praying the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
- Using sacramentals such as holy water, blessed crucifixes, and blessed medals
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Frequently asked questions
Lust is one of the seven deadly sins and is considered a sin because it is a vice, while chastity is a virtue. Lust is a spiritual attack, and the evil spirit takes over. It is a natural temptation, but it must be avoided at all costs.
Lust is a powerful temptation that can overcome the unwary Christian soul. It attacks with its temptations and also plants seeds of temptation, leading the soul towards it. Lust is often aroused apart from any desire of the will, and that is why it is so dangerous.
You must first acknowledge that you are powerless against lust and must flee from it. Find an accountability partner, ideally another man who can keep you accountable for your resolutions to conquer lust. You can confess your sins to him and call upon him when you are being tempted. You should also frequent confession, as it absolvess your sins and gives grace to overcome future sins.
Avoid all sources of temptation, such as pornography, explicit images or movies, and songs with nasty lyrics. Stop sexual objectification and practice chastity. You can also pray for God's grace and read, meditate on, and memorize scripture to redirect your thoughts and desires.
You can refer to the Catechism, paragraphs 2337-54, and also check your local parish and diocesan chancery for support groups. You can also refer to the work of Dr. Peter Kleponis, a Catholic licensed therapist specializing in helping people with pornography addictions. Additionally, you can seek guidance from the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and other saints who are great examples and intercessors regarding chastity.
