Ask a Question - or - Return to the Faith and Spirituality Forum Index

Question Title Posted By Question Date
Sexual Sin A Thursday, April 8, 2010

Question:

Brother - Happy Belated Easter...I hope you are doing well by the grace of God. I was wondering if you could help me with some practical suggestions regarding male sexuality.

I am a married man. M wife suffers from a severe case of OCD (ritualistic house cleaning) making it extremely difficult for the other members in the house to cope. One cannot move around especially after a meal until the entire place is mopped clean to her satisfaction (and this could take nearly an hour after every meal). Her obsession renders her incapable of doing anything else that is worthwhile such as praying, reading, learning something new or even teaching the kids. She finds it difficult to cope with her medications and therapy and has therefore given it all up (she says she gets no respite from them and is fearful that these medications may affect her negatively in the long run). Even our sexual intimacy is deeply affected (she is exhausted at the end of the day with the constant cleaning) and I am therefore forced to go several days without any intimate contact with my wife. She also finds it difficult to learn/practice NFP mostly because it would involve learning something new and she is very resistant to anything that could upset her schedule.

I am not given to easy sexual arousal and therefore manage most days/weeks without committing any sexual sin. But I do notice that after several weeks, it effects me (I can feel it but can't describe it) and I need to do something (internet porn) for a quick release (and then regret it later).

What can I do to stop sinning? I am not justifying my actions. I know it's a sin. I just want to know what to do here.

A



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear A:

I am sorry to hear about your wife's disability. She should be encouraged to take her medication and participate in counseling. For her to say that the mediation will be negative in the long-run is a cop-out, an excuse. Which is more important, taking medications and living a relatively normal life, or damaging one's soul, neglecting the kids, and neglecting her marriage?

Nevertheless, you cannot force her. Thus, you need to be in concerted prayer for her, your family, and for your marriage, and persevere.

As for your own situation of sexual desire, you have no excuse either. Looking at pornography and masturbating are grave sins that destroy your soul. In addition, when you consume pornography you become an accomplice to the abuse and even deaths of the "actors". See the videos here that explain.

To avoid falling into sin you need to practice the strategies that we teach to our Sexual Addiction Recover Support Group. Read the article, 12 Steps to Ensure a Pure Heart and Mind.

Under the circumstances that you describe you must do what is necessary to avoid sin. God will reward you for your devotion and avoidance of sin and the near occasion of sin.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

 


Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum