You can also filter by categories
#FultonFridaysAbortionAdventAgrarianismAngelsAnnouncementsArtAsceticismBeardsBeerBook ReviewBooksCardinal VirtuesCatechesisCatholic in the CubicleChairtyCharityChestertonChurch HistoryClear CreakClear CreekCombatconfessionConsecrationContestsCourageCultureDeadly SinsDepressionDevotionsDisciplineDiscouragementDomestic ChurchDressDrinkingEducationEncouragementEnvironmentEtiquetteEucharistEvangelizationEventsFaithFamilyFarmingFastingFathersFeastsFraternitasGardeningGearGentleman SaintsGet Married Young ManGiftsGiveawaysGratitudeGroomingHabitsHappinessHeresiesHobbiesHolidaysHoly MassHomesteadingHopeHumilityIndulgencesInterviewIte!Jesus ChristLeadershipLentLifestyleListsLiteratureLiturgical YearLiturgyLoveManly Catholic MenManly MoviesMarriageMaryMasculinityMoviesMusicNewsNFPObedienceOutdoorsPapacyPenancePersecutionPersonalPipesPornPrayerPrayersPriesthoodProductsPurityRelationshipsRepentanceReviewssacramentsSacred HeartSaintsScriptureSeven Deadly SinsShavingSinSmokingSpiritual WeaponsSportsStrengthSufferingTechnologyThe ChurchThe Country GentlemanThe Gentleman's ListTheological VirtuesTheologyTraditionTruthUncategorizedVideosVirtueWebinarsWill of GodWomenWorkWorshipSorry, we didn't find anything.
Very helpful indeed. I found a software to find and remove all porn images and videos from our family PC. It aided in the porn addiction recovery path of my husband. It is called Content Cleaner and can be found at:
http://contentpurity.com/cleanintro.htm
Hope this helps others. God Bless.
The above recommendation comes with a warning; Covenant Eyes is non-Catholic and some of the advise is dodgy i.e it’s ok to masturbate so long as you don’t have lustful thoughts. Sounds like a challenge to me! This obviously contradicts Catholic moral teaching. The videos on The Cycle of Porn Addiction looks sound though. There does seem to be an internal contradiction here though as advising someone with porn addiction that it’s ok to masturbate is asking for trouble. Guess it’s a good example of what happens without the clarity of Catholic doctrine; Confusion
I recommend Covenant Eyes and the videos on The Cycle Of Porn Addiction. Porn use is the end result of the cycle which begins with Desire, then Enticement, Conception and Birth. Looks at Triggers which can be external or internal and the parts of the brain involved in addiction. A lot of porn use is getting away from ourselves. A refuge. But the cycle starts with desire.
Yes! Give up porn! You don’t want to go to Hell for eternity for a fleeting moment of filthy pleasure. I have reservations about the accountability method you described though, unless it can be more or less anonymous. Maybe the software you mentioned is? It seems like something you shouldn’t need to let others know about unless absolutely necessary.
We need the help of Sanctifying Grace through the Sacraments of Penance,confession and Holy Communion. Also the sacramentals especially the Rosary. It’s humiliating to confess to watching porn and masturbating and Satan wants us to give up and give in but, no matter how often we need to go back to Confession and admit “the same old sin” it’s the only way to break the grip of this powerful addiction.
Confess, receive Holy Communion and pray the Rosary. Don’t give up!
This Sunday the Gospel relates the story of the woman caught in adultery. The real story is the effort by Satan to destroy Christ. Satan’s purpose is to destroy humanity. He does this by making humans behave like animals and by coercing them into acting on behalf of God in a most ungodly way. (Isis is Satanic). Jesus reacts by showing complete contempt for the religious zealots working for the prince of darkness. He assumes a disinterested posture and draws noughts and crosses on the ground (who knows what he wrote). He waits until the mob have exhausted their rage and then without being drawn into an argument he throws the responsibility back onto them. Finally he restores the woman her dignity which is how God wants us to be. Porn makes humans act like animals. It is Satanic.I don’t like to give Satan free publicity but we mustn’t ignore him.
Porn addiction(and the resulting action that is paired to it) is, in my opinion, a clear sign that we are not men, but boys. That a culture that has spent the last 50 years(or longer) telling us how flawed we are for one reason: being male. This is not something I have discovered by happenstance.
Brothers, this is great advice. More likely than not, if you’re reading this, you’re struggling with porn. I did for a long, long time. Maybe it was never “hardcore”, but a sin is still a sin.
For a couple years, I did not want to admit it was a big deal, so I didn’t consider giving it up for Lent. After I had a girlfriend and still found myself seeking pleasure, if you will, I knew it was a problem. For 5 long years, this was my Lenten penance and I struggled. Sadly, it wasn’t until I really “fell” and hurt myself with impurity that it all came tumbling down.
The rebuilding process was terrible and I really loathed my action, but could feel forgiveness at hand. It was this God experience that was the final push I needed to eradicate it from my life. Since then, I have been “clean”.
I just write to encourage you to make an effort to erase it from your life before you leave a scar. I’m afraid it was too late for me, but the end result brought me closer to God. Be strong, brothers. I’ll pray for you all.
Great idea to use Lent for giving up porn. One way to break the ritual which is part of addiction. As for giving up masturbating as well, we should always be aiming to give this up! However to avoid falling into despair I would say if you really can’t overcome that urge then do it without looking at porn.
I gave it up 12 years ago and have never gone back, thanks be to God. A priest gave me huge help in the confessional by urging me to take a cold shower every time I felt the urge. You can do it!
there is a concept in AA for newcomers that strongly suggests that they attend 90 meetings in 90 days (known colloguially as a ” 90 in 90″). Many find the idea a daunting one and push back as an impossible task given their other commitments… The newcomer is directed to the full schedule of meetings in the area, and is reminded that if they are “willing to go to any length to achieve sobriety”, then they will PLAN their day around meeting attendance, and go wherever they need to in order to stay on track.
I think this concept is a good one to appropriate for anyone who is trying to rid themselves of sexual addiction(s)… That is, they should try to attend “90 Masses in 90 Days”. Mass is exactly where we receive the medicine to combat the spirit of lust: that is, the Eucharist. We must receive, receive, receive, ALL of the Grace we can…in concert with frequent confession, and/or spiritual direction, so that we may better cooperate with the Lord’s Grace. A prospect may resist due to work and/or family obligations…but like the AA newcomer, they should look at the Mass schedules of all of the parishes in the area…both at home and near the office. Early morning Masses, noontime Masses, and evening Masses are available…IF the person is willing to look for them and commit to going.
It will be hard, at first… then, it will become easier… then, it will become the most-anticipated event of the day, and indeed, the event that sets the tone for the day itself. It becomes essential
to borrow another AA concept, if we truly desire freedom, we must surrender absolutely (humility)
Veronica, unbelievable that the worker is work his wages.
Unbelievable someone is using lent to make money
Like Jesus in the desert I have found replying with scripture most effective in fighting temptation. Lately I have repeated this verse whenever temptation has arisen: ““You have heard that it was said ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:27-28.
Last statistic I saw, porn touches 50% of the adult population. More, if you consider that man or woman has influence with innocent spouse or children. When you give up a long term habit, may I recommend replacing it. Don’t leave it a vacuum for the evil one to find some other worthless thing to fill. Giving up chocolate for Lent, for example, should be paired with a positive, if only a decade for the Holy father’s intentions.
I wonder what the actual average weekly hours total when it comes to those struggling with porn? I have a sneaking suspicion the hours could handle the weekly yard work for two elderly couples (depending on how serious the addiction is). May the Lord break us where we need it and rebuild us in this time of Lent
Great article Sam. Blessings to you and your ministries. I pray that your Lent is a time to deepen and continually receive the gift of Faith!
Yours in Christ through Mary, John
Pat_H, I agree with you on Saudi Arabia not passing the missionary test, however the point I was really making tongue in cheek is that all printed porn is strictly banned and all e-porn is automatically blocked! So it’s an easier environment to give it up.
Really inspiring and helpful. Thank you!
John, yes that is wise.
When abandoning porn, is it wise for one to abandon the act of masturbation as well?
Great article except for the Blue Label bit. As a college student, many of my friends and I can’t afford to just drop huge amounts of money; in addition, buying a consumer product doesn’t seem like a proper sacrifice for giving up the habit. I’d argue tithing an extra amount to your parish if you fall, or if money is a problem giving extra time for service in the community. Things we should be doing anyway, of course, but offering more when we’re weak.
Singapore might be an easier path on that one. Or, at least based on when I was there over 20 years ago, South Korea.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t pass the “Mormon Missionary Test” That is, I feel it should be a test of whether a nation is an adult, modern, nation worthy of being in the family of nations that, no matter how much you might disagree with them, a Mormon Missionary can show up at your door without fear of being arrested.
Totally off the topic, what’s the story behind the great photograph on this one?
Another solution – move to Saudi Arabia! A bit radical but it worked for me.
In addition to what Sam said, he also linked to my course, which includes a 30 day bootcamp, one action per day, including: Mass, Confession, Rosary, Angelic Warfare Confraternity, Cord of St. Joseph, novenas, scapulars, and every supernatural help I know about.
I would like to suggest praying the rosary, going to Mass and confession regularly. Rosary daily – Mass at least Sunday and Holydays and confession at least once a month . We need supernatural grace to overcome this and all vices .I would suggest also joining the Angelic Warfare Confraternity.org
Hi Andrew, Great point. I have written about these spiritual weapons for fighting porn multiple times before. Here is one instance: https://www.catholicgentleman.net/2013/10/lets-talk-about-porn/
I focused more on natural helps in this post, but I agree that grace and spiritual weapons are essential in the quest for purity. Thank you for your thoughts.
That’s great what you suggest for Lent and I am going to make use of a lot of stuff from here for my Lenten practice, but what about positive actions as working on some of your passions. I neglected my guitar playing, so I am going to make specific time daily to keep developing that talent. Anyways you’re website is great and I am a regular reader from Poland. Dude, this website is your ticket to heaven.
I was addicted, and with God’s grace I gave it up. You can do it as well. I am praying for you. Please pray for me.
Hello there. I clicked on the link for the free book but it is not free. It shows a price in Amazon of 9 something. How can I get the free copy please? Thank you.
Hi Liz, I’m sorry for the confusion. The e-book version is free.
You can do it my brothers!
This is very helpful