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Good morning Father Angelo,

I am writing to you because I am very sad for what I have done. A year ago I regularly committed impure acts by watching pornographic videos, I prayed a lot for this sin and I repented a lot. In fact, I went to confession and from that day on I didn’t commit any more for a year and I was able to fight the temptation to look at obscene images and videos, thanks also to reciting the Rosary.

But today it took me a moment and I couldn’t, knowing that it is a grave sin and I watched a pornographic video, without going any further.

What should I do to strengthen my weakness and not fall into temptation again?

Thank you

Priest’s answer

Dear friend,

1. we must never feel too confident, especially in the area of ​​purity. There is no age in which our adversary does not try to play his part “like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour.) (1 Pt 5,8). 

2. Saint Thomas, among the various reasons for understanding the opportunity for Christ to submit to temptation, also reports this: “that we might be warned, so that none, however holy, may think himself safe or free from temptation. 

Wherefore also He wished to be tempted after His baptism, because, as Hilary says (Super Matth., cap. iii.): “The temptations of the devil assail those principally who are sanctified, for he desires, above all, to overcome the holy. Hence also it is written (Sirach 2): Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.”

For this reason he wanted to be tempted right after his baptism; because, as Saint Hilary says, “the devil launches his attacks more than ever on the saints, as a victory gained over them is more desired”.

And in Sirach we read: “Son, if you undertake to serve the Lord, be upright, be afraid and prepare your soul for the test”” (Summa Theologiae, III, 41, 1).

3. Subsequently he says that “the occasions of temptation are of two kinds.

One is on the part of man, for instance, when a man causes himself to be near to sin by not avoiding the occasion of sinning. And such occasions of temptation should be avoided, as it is written of Lot (Genesis 19:17): “Neither stay thou in all the country about” Sodom.” (Ib., III, 41, 2, ad 2). 

An angel who appeared in the guise of a man after leading Lot out said to him: “Flee for your life! Don’t look back or stop anywhere on the Plain.” (Gen 19:17).

Very often when you turn on the Internet you find yourself in the plain of Sodom. If there are signs of obscene or impure images it is necessary to run forward without stopping. Otherwise you remain stuck as happened to Lot’s wife.

Even if you look at them for just an instant you immediately experience how great their power to pollute is and how difficult it is to remain united to the Lord without distraction.

4. If the temptation is overcome you immediately feel a great sense of freedom, contentment and self-control.

We also experience how true St. Thomas’ comment on the words of the Gospel is: Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.” (Mt 4:11): “so he who overcomes temptations deserves to be served by angels” (Commentary on Matthew 4:11). T-S

These temptations must be avoided by running forward.

5. There is a second kind of temptation, says St. Thomas, which “Is on the part of the devil”, who “always envies those who strive for better things,” as Ambrose says.

In fact, the Holy Scripture says: “My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.” (Sir 2,1).

This, in particular, is the temptation of those who undertake new paths of evangelization, founding religious works and institutions.

“And such occasions of temptation are not to be avoided. Hence Chrysostom says: “Not only Christ was led into the desert by the Spirit, but all God’s children that have the Holy Ghost. For it is not enough for them to sit idle; the Holy Ghost urges them to endeavor to do something great.

There is no danger in giving the devil such an occasion of temptation; since the help of the Holy Ghost, who is the Author of the perfect deed, is more powerful* than the assault of the envious devil” (Ib., III, 41, 2, ad 2).

6. Returning to impure temptations, we must always remember what he said to St. Thomas: “And St. Thomas: “Luxuria vincitur fugiendo” (impure temptation is overcome by fleeing).

One must not listen to it even for an instant.

That great master of spiritual life, John Cassian, rightly recalled that we must “watch out for the serpent’s head (Gen 3:16), that is, the first appearance of dangerous thoughts with which he tries to crawl into our soul. Because if we welcome the head, that is, the first stimulus of thought, we will end up welcoming the rest of the serpent’s body, that is, we will consent” (Cassian, Philokalia, I, p. 130). T-N

7. Therefore “sin must always be avoided: but the fight against it in certain cases must be won with escape, and in other cases with resistance.

With escape, when thinking about it increases the incentive to sin, as happens in lust; and for this reason Saint Paul warns: “Flee fornication” (1 Cor 6:18).

With resistance; when thinking about it removes the incentive for guilt, which derives from a superficial mirage. And this is the case of acedia: since the more we reflect on spiritual goods, the more pleasant they become to us; and therefore sloth ceases” (Summa theologica, I-II, 35, 1, ad 4). T-N.

8. Therefore, when these temptations appear, what is irrepressible is escape.

To strengthen your will, I recommend that you draw energy from regular and frequent sacramental confession.

The Holy Pope John Paul II reminded us that we must not allow ourselves to be confused about this sacrament because He who instituted it knows what the true needs of the human heart are (see Novo Millennio Ineunte, 37).

Make confession at least biweekly as your life plan.

The best thing would be weekly confession.

Wishing you all the best, I bless you and remember you in prayer.

Father Angelo