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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Obsession	Kevin	Thursday, December 27, 2007
Question: I've suffered from obssessive behaviour in the sexual area for a long time. I've joined self-help groups, yet still struggle. I think ultimately, though the behaviour is completely spiritually draining and destructive, the high I get seems worth it at the time. Recently, there have been thoughts and obssesions of a homosexual nature, which is not even something I am normally attracted to. I am wondering if this is diabolic oppression, and if I could have some very specific instructions on how to overcome this compulsion. It has progressed relentlessly over the years, getting worse and worse. Recently, I also doubt my faith, and wonder about favourite saints like Padre Pio, whether they were charlatans or misguided, or insane. Please give me some clear directions. Thank you, and God bless, I also go to Confession very regularly.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Kevin: I am sorry to hear that you have this affliction. Unfortunately this is a common affliction; you are not alone. Sexual addictions and compulsions are difficult to deal with but it is possible to find freedom. The first thing you must do is to live the best Catholic life you can. Receive the Eucharist as as often as you can, go to Confession as often as you need (do not be embarrassed to confess these sexual sins over and over), spend some time in prayer in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, develop personal devotional prayers like the rosary or some other prayer, and develop devotions to the saints like St. Dymphna and St. Padre Pio. The second thing you must do is to WORK HARD to remove yourself from the near occasion of sin. Stay away from things that trigger your compulsions. The third thing you must do is to WORK HARD in dealing with the psychological issues behind the compulsion, including taking medication that helps to reduce compulsive drives. The fourth thing you must do is WORK HARD to change the way you think. Habitual sins are usually a result of thinking errors. The fifth thing you must do is to get involved in a support group that understands these things. We have such a group on our website called the Catholic Support Group for Sexual Addictions Recovery. I invite you to join us. The sixth thing must do is to deal with these compulsions from a spiritual warfare point-of-view. Our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog will give you several specialized prayers to help in this regard. If necessary, you can make a HELP REQUEST to undergo specific deliverance counseling if you feel that you need that. The seventh thing you must do is to persevere in the faith. God loves you and He understands your problem. Remember God's promises and know that God does not lie and keeps his promises. For example, God promises: 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the also, that you may be able to endure it. I would really suggest you join the Catholic Support Group for Sexual Addictions Recovery. It has help hundreds of people. If you feel you need deliverance counseling in addition to the support group, see the HELP REQUEST link at the bottom of the HELP page linked below. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Obsession

Kevin

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Question:

I've suffered from obssessive behaviour in the sexual area for a long time. I've joined self-help groups, yet still struggle. I think ultimately, though the behaviour is completely spiritually draining and destructive, the high I get seems worth it at the time.

Recently, there have been thoughts and obssesions of a homosexual nature, which is not even something I am normally attracted to.

I am wondering if this is diabolic oppression, and if I could have some very specific instructions on how to overcome this compulsion. It has progressed relentlessly over the years, getting worse and worse.

Recently, I also doubt my faith, and wonder about favourite saints like Padre Pio, whether they were charlatans or misguided, or insane.

Please give me some clear directions.
Thank you, and God bless, I also go to Confession very regularly.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Kevin:

I am sorry to hear that you have this affliction. Unfortunately this is a common affliction; you are not alone.

Sexual addictions and compulsions are difficult to deal with but it is possible to find freedom.

The first thing you must do is to live the best Catholic life you can. Receive the Eucharist as as often as you can, go to Confession as often as you need (do not be embarrassed to confess these sexual sins over and over), spend some time in prayer in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, develop personal devotional prayers like the rosary or some other prayer, and develop devotions to the saints like St. Dymphna and St. Padre Pio.

The second thing you must do is to WORK HARD to remove yourself from the near occasion of sin. Stay away from things that trigger your compulsions.

The third thing you must do is to WORK HARD in dealing with the psychological issues behind the compulsion, including taking medication that helps to reduce compulsive drives.

The fourth thing you must do is WORK HARD to change the way you think. Habitual sins are usually a result of thinking errors.

The fifth thing you must do is to get involved in a support group that understands these things. We have such a group on our website called the Catholic Support Group for Sexual Addictions Recovery. I invite you to join us.

The sixth thing must do is to deal with these compulsions from a spiritual warfare point-of-view. Our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog will give you several specialized prayers to help in this regard. If necessary, you can make a HELP REQUEST to undergo specific deliverance counseling if you feel that you need that.

The seventh thing you must do is to persevere in the faith. God loves you and He understands your problem. Remember God's promises and know that God does not lie and keeps his promises. For example, God promises:

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the also, that you may be able to endure it.

I would really suggest you join the Catholic Support Group for Sexual Addictions Recovery. It has help hundreds of people.

If you feel you need deliverance counseling in addition to the support group, see the HELP REQUEST link at the bottom of the HELP page linked below.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.