single Catholic man & resisting lust...hard :(

[Radfahrer]

Hello to you who is reading this,

I am a 24yr old healthy and single Catholic man and I'm having bouts of frustration when it comes to controlling carnal urges or lust. Whenever I see a beautiful young woman, especially at my gym or at school, I find it sometimes difficult to not keep glancing at her - sure it's natural, but doing so makes me feel sinful. At the same time, doing so makes me somewhat envious since I know that some other "lucky" guy has her as his girlfriend. What I'm curious about is, how can a young man, determined to gain salvation and follow Christ, manage such emotions?

How do young priests deal with this? I mean, part of them must feel the same way I feel, as I just described above. Furthermore, as a holder of a university degree in psychology, I am a firm believer that any kind of emotion that is repressed for too long will ultimately find a way to express itself, either in a socially acceptable or socially unacceptable manner.

I appreciate any comments/feedback from you. God bless.

 

[pibsts]

i'm in the same boat as you man, except not at school anymore. at my gym, if there is a hot married mom or to that extent, i try to shrug it off and focus on my workout. it sucks being single at our age because you don't know who to approach. i found that it's best to keep yourself as busy as possible. take up more hobbies, go out shopping, or exercise, shoot some ball, do some volunteer work.

 

[AlexeiKaramazov]

I rhink a big part of resisting lust is practicing very mechanical things...for instance, if you see someone who is sure to excite lust in you, you should physically look away and try not to even think about that person. Do your best to immediately put all those thoughts out of your mind and shape your thinking to center on good things. It's weird, but sometimes it takes stuff like that to really do the trick.

 

[Radfahrer]

thanks for the input so far, anyone else care to share their ideas?

 

[AWorkInProgress]

thanks for the input so far, anyone else care to share their ideas?

You might want to visit Men's corner and read posts in fight with porn section. Same beast but different head.

 

[Krysstian]

I have been celibate for 3 years now. Its hard and I still crave for sexual attention. When I see a guy I am attracted to. I look at him but I don’t think lustful thoughts about him. I will have to admit there are some times where I have to catch myself before looking at things that I am not suppose to. It’s a constant battle but all things are possible with God. I don’t feel bad when I look at attractive men but if I start to picture them naked or in my bed then um…something’s wrong.

Galatians 5:17 (NLT)
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

I pray about it and one scripture that I love is 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Sometimes I have thoughts that I know I wouldn't think about. I notice that Satan will try anything to keep your focus off God. I just start praising God for the victory. I give God the glory that He blessed me with renewed mind. I praise God that He’s given me the ability to focus on things above and not on things of this earth. Then before I know it I distracted Satan…ha ha! Don’t beat yourself up about it because your flesh and the spirit are fighting but who is going to win? The spirit of God…

Pray and ask the Lord to show you what you can do to help you…

God Bless

 

[Uniting]

Hi Radfahrer,
Perhaps, it is the beauty of God's creation that we are attracted to, so objectively, it is God's Beauty we respond to. Maybe just appreciate it, like you would a beautiful sunset, stars, waterfall, etc.

 

[Someguyouknow]

Its a problem for most males. You should take AWorkInProgress advice and visit the Men's Forum. Might want to check out a site called Settingcaptivesfree.com as well.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Hi Radfahrer,
Perhaps, it is the beauty of God's creation that we are attracted to, so objectively, it is God's Beauty we respond to. Maybe just appreciate it, like you would a beautiful sunset, stars, waterfall, etc.

I agree with this, just when you observe and instantly sexual, got a problem imo. Even with god's hand I can not ignore a woman's full splendor like a full moon in clear star filled sky.

 

[ChristDiver]

I have been celibate for 3 years now. Its hard and I still crave for sexual attention. When I see a guy I am attracted to. I look at him but I don’t think lustful thoughts about him. I will have to admit there are some times where I have to catch myself before looking at things that I am not suppose to. It’s a constant battle but all things are possible with God. I don’t feel bad when I look at attractive men but if I start to picture them naked or in my bed then um…something’s wrong.

Galatians 5:17 (NLT)
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

I pray about it and one scripture that I love is 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Sometimes I have thoughts that I know I would think about. I notice that Satan will try anything to keep your focus off God. I just start praising God for the victory. I give God the glory that He blessed me with renewed mind. I praise God that He’s given me the ability to focus on things above and not on things of this earth. Then before I know it I distracted Satan…ha ha! Don’t beat yourself up about it because your flesh and the spirit are fighting but who is going to win? The spirit of God…

Pray and ask the Lord to show you what you can do to help you…

God Bless

At my age I've probably struggled with this issue day & night, the problem is letting lust overshadow your prayer in God to renew your mind as Krysstian clearly put it.

Turning Pain into Praise

I corinthians 10:13
" There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,that ye may be able to bear it.

In the end praise God for his continued strength in you.

Strength
Philippians 4:13
" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. "

Obedience
James 1:22
" But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. "

God Bless !!!

Gerry

 

[Radfahrer]

Thanks to all who have contributed, I value all your thoughts and ideas!

 

[Krysstian]

Thanks to all who have contributed, I value all your thoughts and ideas!

Let me tell you how faithful God is...I knew this scripture but I totally forgot where to find it. I was watching Joyce Meyer last night and she said it! WHOO HOO! These are excellent verses for you.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (Amplified Bible)
14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].
15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

 

[Weasel7711]

At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry by Steve Ghallager
written for addicts of the sexual nature (from just porn all the way to homosexuality)
Has tools in resisting temptation, not giving in to lust
Main thing is to walk in the spirit, take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ
Walk in the spirit and you will not gratify the cravings of the sinful nature (it's in Galatians somewhere)