Joshua Bennett
Purity is a complex topic within Catholicism, encompassing both physical and spiritual elements. While sensual and physical aspects are often the initial focus, purity of heart is a broader concept, rooted in seeing the world as God does and striving for spiritual single-mindedness. This involves a commitment to God, requiring one to avoid occasions of sin and cultivate virtues like modesty and chastity. Catholics are encouraged to pray for purity and utilise resources like the Mass, the Eucharist, and accountability groups to maintain purity. The battle against impurity is challenging, but with a strategic plan and support, it is possible to grow in purity and overcome vices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purity of heart | To see things as God sees them, in the present |
| To be fully present and rooted in the truth of your current reality | |
| To be your most authentic self | |
| To be free from the temptations of the devil and demands of the flesh | |
| To be free from the influence of immoral and dangerous images in society | |
| To be free from pornography and other excessive sexual behaviours | |
| To be free from the influence of the internet, billboards, Hollywood fashions, etc. | |
| To be free from the influence of friends who encourage impurity | |
| To be free from impure thoughts and actions | |
| To be free from covetousness | |
| To be free from the influence of the world and its idols | |
| To be committed to God | |
| To be free from the influence of fleshly desires | |
| To be motivated by love | |
| To be in constant prayer | |
| To be in attendance at Mass | |
| To be in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament |
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What You'll Learn
Seek professional help to understand your actions
Seeking professional help can be a powerful step towards understanding your actions and growing in purity. It can provide you with valuable insights and guidance on your journey towards spiritual and personal growth.
In the Catholic faith, purity is closely tied to the concept of seeing things as God sees them and being rooted in your present reality. This means recognizing the sacredness and dignity of human life and striving to live a life that aligns with your values and the teachings of the Church.
However, the modern world presents many challenges to maintaining purity, such as seductive temptations, immoral influences, and the ever-present danger of pornography. These influences can lead individuals to fall into sins against purity and cause damage to their relationships with God, loved ones, and themselves.
To overcome these challenges, seeking help from a professional Catholic counselor or therapist can be beneficial. They can provide you with research-based insights and guidance grounded in the teachings of the Catholic faith. For example, they can help you understand the impact of pornography on your life and relationships, as research from major institutions has linked repeated porn exposure to declining relationship satisfaction and various forms of exploitation.
Additionally, professional support can assist you in developing practical strategies to overcome pornography use and other excessive sexual behaviors. This may include recommending online accountability services like Covenant Eyes, which monitors screen activity and sends reports to a trusted person for accountability. Support groups, such as Augustine's Brothers, can also provide a community of individuals facing similar struggles, offering mutual support and encouragement.
By seeking professional help, you can gain a deeper understanding of your actions, address any underlying traumas or wounds, and develop the tools necessary to make positive changes in your life. This can empower you to break free from harmful habits, heal your relationships, and grow in purity according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
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Avoid occasions of sin
To avoid occasions of sin, it is important to first understand the nature of sin. According to the Bible, sin is "double-mindedness", or "double-heartedness", which can be understood as having a heart divided between the world and God. This can manifest as a failure to avoid the near occasion of sin, or "playing with fire".
To avoid occasions of sin, one must use common sense and prudence. For example, spending time with friends who encourage you to engage in impure activities can lead to temptation and sin. Instead, seek out friendships that will make you stronger and hold you accountable. Additionally, it is important to avoid media that can lead to sin, such as indecent movies, suggestive innuendos, and the dangers of the internet.
Another way to avoid occasions of sin is to strengthen your relationship with God through prayer and participation in the Eucharist. By drawing nearer to God, your hands are cleansed and your heart is purified. Prayer can also be a powerful tool when facing temptation. Instead of giving in to discouragement, set reachable goals and pray for the strength to avoid sin.
Finally, it is important to understand the role of purity in Catholicism. Purity is about living in honesty and integrity, in accordance with your nature, your dignity, and the dignity of others. It is about striving to live your sexuality in accord with the truth of God and embracing all the truths revealed by your faith.
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Pray for purity
Prayer is a powerful tool in the pursuit of purity. Jesus invites us with these words: "Ask and you will receive..." (Mt. 7:7). We are encouraged to beg the Lord for the gift and virtue of purity.
Prayer for Purity #1
> Jesus, Lover of chastity, Mary, Mother most pure, and Joseph, chaste guardian of the Virgin, to you I come at this hour, begging you to plead with God for me. I earnestly wish to be pure in thought, word and deed in imitation of your own holy purity. Obtain for me, then, a deep sense of modesty, which will be reflected in my external conduct. And when the "Bread of Angels becomes the Bread of me" in my heart at Holy Communion, seal it forever against the suggestions of sinful pleasures. Heart of Jesus, Fount of all purity, have mercy on us.
Prayer for Purity #2
> Lord, inflame our hearts and our inmost beings with the fire of Your Holy Spirit, that we may serve You with chaste bodies and pure minds. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Purity #3
> My God, You have given me a body to keep pure and clean and healthy for Your service and my eternal happiness. Obtain for me a deep sense of modesty, which will be reflected in my external conduct. Protect my eyes, the windows of my soul, from anything that might dim the luster of a heart that must mirror only Christ-like purity. And when the "Bread of Angels" becomes my food in Holy Communion, seal my heart forever against the suggestions of sinful pleasures. Finally, may I be among the number of those of whom Jesus spoke, "Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God." Amen.
Prayer for Purity #4
> Dearest Jesus! I know well that every perfect gift, and above all others that of chastity, depends upon the most powerful assistance of Your Providence, and that without You a creature can do nothing. Therefore, I pray You to defend, with Your grace, chastity and purity in my soul as well as in my body. And if I have ever received through my senses any impression that could stain my chastity and purity, may You, Who are the Supreme Lord of all my powers, take it from me, that I may with an immaculate heart advance in Your love and service, offering myself chaste all the days of my life on the most pure altar of Your Divinity. Amen.
Prayer for Purity #5
> Lord, for too long I have been smugly comparing myself advantageously with others around me, and believing that I was pure in Your eyes. But now that I have come to realise that the only standard to which You are comparing me is the Lord Jesus, I humbly kneel before You, at the foot of Your throne and ask your forgiveness for my self-indulgent pride and ego-centricity. May I look to Jesus and live as He lived in spirit and truth, seeking only to do Your will and to live a life that honours You. Search my heart and purify my thoughts, and may Your indwelling Holy Spirit identify any pride and self-importance that is lurking within. As You conform me day by day into the likeness of the Lord Jesus, help me to make the right choices in my life, the choices that honour You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Prayer for Purity #6
> Give me the grace to recognise any impure areas in my life that need to be rooted out, and make me willing to engage in the painful process of having all that dishonours Your name cut away by the Holy Spirit’s scalpel of truth. Help me to keep the eyes of my heart fixed on Jesus Christ my Lord, and grant me the purity of heart and integrity of spirit that is becoming of a vessel fit for Your use. Begin to search me today O Lord, know my heart, and see if there is any impurity of heart, evil intent or prideful thoughts. May I be willing to be stripped of everything that is not of You, so that I may be pure and holy in Your sight. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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Avoid impure influences
The world is full of dangerous and pernicious images, and it can be a challenge for Catholics to avoid impure influences. It is important to recognise the occasions of sin and actively avoid them. For example, the internet is an ever-present danger, with many poisonous websites. It is important to avoid these and other media that may be seductive and alluring, such as indecent movies, suggestive innuendos, and provocative dress.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that modesty is the guardian of the virtue of purity. It is important to be aware of the dangers of certain friendships and relationships, which can lead to occasions of sin. It is advised to seek out friendships that will make you stronger, and to date people with high standards.
There are practical steps that can be taken to avoid impure influences. For example, the Victory app is a strategic battle plan to help in the struggle against pornography. It provides screen accountability reporting to you and a trusted ally. Another practical step is to join a support group, such as Augustine's Brothers, which is a Catholic-centred men's accountability group for those struggling with maintaining chastity and seeking support to grow in purity.
Ultimately, the best way to avoid impure influences is to turn to God and prayer. Jesus said, "Ask and you will receive". We can beg the Lord for the gift and virtue of purity. Prayer is a powerful weapon, and we must have recourse to it, especially when we feel tempted.
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Understand the true meaning of purity
Purity is about understanding the truth of who we are and what God calls us to be. It is about living in honesty and integrity, in accordance with our nature, our dignity, and the dignity of others. It is about being our most authentic selves and being fully present in our current reality.
To be pure of heart means to see all things as God sees them, in the present moment. It means to be rooted in your present reality, seeing yourself as God does – for your fullness and nothing more or less. It is a daily choice and a constant battle to keep one's interior freedom intact.
Purity of heart is also about spiritual single-mindedness and whole-heartedness. It is about an undivided commitment to God, as the Bible states: "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind" (James 4:8). The double-minded man has a heart divided between the world and God, and purity is the cure for this instability and sin.
To grow in purity, one must understand the true meaning of purity and strive for it daily. This includes avoiding near occasions of sin, such as provocative media, and instead focusing on prayer and a relationship with God. It is also helpful to seek support from friends, spiritual directors, and accountability groups.
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Frequently asked questions
To be pure of heart means to see things as God sees them and to be rooted in your present reality. It is to have an undivided commitment to God.
You can grow in purity by praying for it, avoiding occasions of sin, and seeking support from friends and spiritual directors. You can also join a Catholic-centered accountability group like Augustine's Brothers.
Set reachable goals for yourself and focus on the next 24 hours instead of the long term. Get rid of any impure things you own and avoid relationships that bring out the worst in you. Attend Mass regularly and spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
Pornography damages your relationships with God, your loved ones, and yourself. It also affects your ability to love as God intends.
