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Temptations and
Ways to Handle Them
Everyone has temptations. There is a struggle between good and evil in every human heart. All of the saints, including Saint Paul, Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Therese were tempted.
But temptations can lead to spiritual growth.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those that love Him” (James 1:12).
What is a Sin?
3 conditions for a temptation to become a sin:
- This act is wrong.
- I know that it is wrong.
- I am going to do it anyway.
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Venial Sin
- This act is wrong, but not seriously.
- I know that it is wrong, but not seriously.
- I am going to do it anyway. (This act is not a serious sin, but it is a sin.)
Mortal Sin
- This act, no matter how attractive, is seriously wrong.
- I know that it is seriously wrong.
- I am going to do it anyway. (This act is a serious or mortal sin.)
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How to Avoid Temptations
Stay close to Jesus by practicing Quiet Time and
saying the rosary.
Mary, 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 certain persons, video stores, Internet sites, casinos, or bars. 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 offend God and tempt you to sin.
Sometimes bad things happen when we don't follow God's commandments. Eddy, a high school friend, never seemed to take anything seriously, even his intimate relationship with a Catholic girl. When she became pregnant, he no longer wanted anything to do with her. And she committed suicide.
Playing with people's emotions can be dangerous. And it is always sinful.
How to Fight Temptations
- Reject the temptation when it first enters your mind. Think about something else... otherwise it is hard to resist.
- 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:
Lord, give me the strength to say No.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, help me.
Jesus be my strength, for You know my weakness.
Reality Check
Sin is an offence against Almighty God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered and died on a Cross because of our sins. By resisting temptations you are telling Jesus that you value His friendship above everything else.
Return from Temptations to Roadblocks
or
Return from Temptations to Self-Discipline
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