Confessing same sins for years

Same here, been confessing the same sins since my conversion back in 2017. My whole thing is to do your best. If at times you fail with the PMO just go to confession, take your dose of humility and move on. The worst thing is to get discouraged. St Teresa the little flower knew that actually if we fail and yield to a temptation that if we go to confession we actually advance in the spiritual life. Many people think that if they fall they actually backslide in the spiritual life this would be the case if the person doesn't go the confession though. No on the contrary by going to confession after we've failed we advance the spiritual life. My struggles are what makes me more understanding toward others, more charitable and this is what God wants. This however is not an excuse to PMO, I keep getting back up and "fight the good fight" I am not dead yet, I am not in hell yet! I, therefore, keep going back and confessing the same sins. "I desire mercy not sacrifice"

 

You should be proud that you've been confessing for 10 years now. Just think of the transparency with others that going to confession has given you. The courage that it takes to continuously go back into that confessional. Sometimes God permits one to fall to obtain humility. I can't compare myself to others on here. It can be quite discouraging comparing myself to a 100-day no fapper on here. As you can see I relapsed two days ago and I went to confession and I thought to myself, wow truly amazing of our Lord's patience and mercy experienced through the sacrament, truly amazing! Oftentimes I think maybe this will be the time our Lord will grant me the grace of chastity. Oftentimes our Lord permits these falls before he bestows the grace of chastity.

 

I have been confessing this sin for 45 years. A priest once told me that it was a gift from God that I have only one sin to struggle with. Remember pmo is a mortal sin, cuts off your relationship with God and causes you the pain of Hell. Get to confession ASAP. Use the support from us fellow NFS. We’ll pray for you and help you stop this awful sin so that you can get to Heaven and live eternity with our creator. Pax Christi!

 

Another post in this forum caused me to review my history with porn and to question why I have struggled with it so long. It was nearly 50 years ago that I first looked at porn and I am now on the second longest streak of abstinence I have ever attained. Why did it take me so long to get here? Upon examination, I must answer that I deluded myself for a long time about the seriousness of this sin and my shame/pride prevented me from seeking help. Dear all, please don't waste so many years, as I have done. A wise man recently told me that freedom (from sin) is worth any price. I would say sacrificing pride to get help is a cheap price to pay.

 

Amen! Well said CPilot Run the race to win!

 

Great insight

 

I agree. As an arrogant youth, I looked down on alcoholics and drug addicts as weak people lacking in courage. As I come to terms with my own sins, I can no longer judge others so rashly. God uses our failures and our successes to teach us. Among other things, I see He is using my years of sin to teach me humility - a trait I need to embrace in all aspects of my life and as I slowly learn to do this, I find much more room for joy and laughter in my life. So much better than smug pride and arrogance. Thank you my precious Lord!

 

Hello @Reb10

I hate giving advice because I'm not the source of the solution. For me I've had similar times as you mentioned and saw no improvement. When I think of the why the answers are, for me:

• A lack of practice of the Presence of God.
• A lack of heart to heart communication with God.
• A lack of friendship/devotion with Mary.
• An attachment to occasions of sin: persons, places, or things.
• An attachment to human respect.
• A lack of trust; not allowing God control of my entire life but only relgating Him to control my addiction.

 

I had to confess this dam sin last night. Feel so much better after receiving absolution. Jesus told St. Faustina he gives abundantly His Mercy to those who Trust in Him. One thing for certain, I trust in Him! When I forget, I sin. Lack of trust is a problem.