Resisting temptation needs a plan

• First, understand the addiction cycle.
  
  
• Stay close to Jesus by practicing Quiet Time and saying the rosary.

  The Mother of Jesus promised that for those who say the rosary, "The rosary shall be a most powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice and decrease sin."

• Identify the causes of temptations. These may be Internet pornography sites, massage parlors, bars or casinos. Avoid them.

  If going out with certain friends always ends up with you getting drunk or stoned or having sex, you don’t need an e-mail from Jesus to tell you what you should do.

• Avoid reading or watching anything that may tempt you to sin. Pornography separates you from Jesus and damages your relationships with others.

Overcome a sinful habit

• go to confession
• receive Jesus in Holy Communion
• say the Praises to the Sacred Heart each day
• say the rosary daily

Every confession is a new beginning

When you are tempted

• Distract yourself with another activity.

• Visualize what will happen if you give in to your urge... how you will feel, the people you will hurt, and how you will disappoint Jesus.

• Postpone. Try to wait 15 minutes or longer. The temptation will often decrease.

• Jesus gave us the power — in His name — to overcome all unclean spirits. You can use this power to renounce the unclean spirit:

  In the name of Jesus Christ, and by His Power, I command all impure spirits to leave my presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, and by His Power, I command all impure spirits to leave my presence now.

• Or, when you are tempted to give in, repeat one of these:

  Mary, Mother of Jesus, help me.
  

  Jesus be my strength, for You know my weakness.

  This is not the person I want to be.

• Carry a small crucifix in your pocket and when you are tempted look at Jesus hanging on His Cross.

Another way to fight temptation

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