JIMMY AKIN.ORG

Dealing With Youthful Passions

I regularly receive inquiries from individuals--particularly young men--who wish to overcome the habit of masturbation and who have a variety of pastoral questions about it.

Recently I decided to begin a page on my blog answering questions concerning this so that others can benefit from the answers. Please be assured, as always, that any questions submitted to me by e-mail will be rigorously "anonymized" (stripped of personally identifying information).

Before beginning to answer the questions, I'd also like to offer a word of hope.

In 2 Timothy 2:22, St. Paul tells St. Timothy to "shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart."

Masturbation is not specifically what St. Paul is referring to here ("youthful passions" is a broader category than just masturbation), but I'd like to call attention to his phrase "youthful passions" because it implies hope for those who are struggling against these. While sexual temptation can be an ongoing problem, it is felt with particular intensity by young men.

So, if you're in your teens or 20s and the struggle is truly great at this point, have hope! Things will get easier with time, and you won't have to fight this kind of struggle forever. I can't promise that temptation will go away entirely, but the kind of intense struggle that many young men go through does get better.

Also, as a general matter, I would recommend that individuals check out the materials that are available at chastity.com and see if these are of help to them.

Now, on to questions/issues from readers:

KEEP READING.

VIDEO: Who Were the Early Church Fathers?

GET THE BOOK!

Will You Be Forced to Participate in Homosexual Pride Events?

Or will your children or grandchildren?

Before you scoff at the possibility, recognize that it has already been happening to people.

The homosexual lobby is relentless and is not seeking tolerance. It is seeking coerced social approval of homosexual behavior.

That includes forcing non-homosexuals to participate in homosexual "pride" celebrations.

It happened right here in San Diego, where four firefightersmen were ordered to participated in the local "San Diego Pride Parade" (notice how even the word "gay" is missing from the name of the event? That's evidence of what linguists sometimes call the "euphemism treadmill"--where a euphemism for something viewed negatively eventually takes on the negative connotations of what it was originally intended to substitute for; more evidence of that happening regarding the word "gay" here).

KEEP READING.

Are the 15 Promises of the Rosary Reliable?

A correspondent writes:

I was wondering if you could comment some time about some of these spiritual promises that allegedly attach to certain prayers or devotions. The 15 promises of the rosary seems to be the most common example, but of course there's more.

There are more--and the reader goes on to name some--but for this post let's look at the alleged 15 promises regarding the rosary.

First, here is a commonly given text of them.

Before we go further, I should comment about a phrase that occurs in the very first promise, because it is not in common use today and startles everybody who runs across it for the first time. According to the first promise, those who pray the rosary faithfully shall receive "signal graces." What are "signal graces?" people ask.

KEEP READING.

Does Excommunication Send You To Hell?

Low-Carb Baby Bok Choy & Nuts

Should You Read Non-Catholic Materials?

A correspondent writes:

I am presently attending a Bible study. During our small group discussion, a question arose from someone in our group.

We would like to know if it is wrong for us to read and examine other books and Bibles that are not Catholic-based to see what they have information-wise pertaining to spiritual matters. For example, we both have Life Application Study Bibles and enjoy reading the associated study footnotes.

My opinion is that the Holy Spirit guides us with discernment especially when we pray before reading or delving into other Christian denomination books and Bibles. I guard myself (my heart, mind and spirit) so that I’m not influenced in any way that could conflict with Catholic beliefs. If I’m not sure or confused about an issue (e.g., Why do we believe this and they that?”), I said I then will go to a religious authoritative person to have any questions or issues addressed or I check Internet sites like www.Catholic.com. I believe I am exercising my ‘child-like faith’ with wanting to know and love more, which draws me closer to Him and to others, while using my adult judgment. I also believe that, when we know more about other religions and philosophies (Christian, Jewish, Eastern, scientific, etc.), it helps us to practice love, respect others, and establish a common ground for our relationship and possible future discussions for witnessing for Catholicism. If I didn’t understand or have knowledge of what they believe, I may not be able to convey my Catholic beliefs and doctrines as accurately.

KEEP READING.