I had a porn addiction for about 25 years. I felt so ashamed, I prayed to the Theotokos for help and immediately after my last word my hard drive died in my computer. It was down to the second and obviously an answer and miracle. I then never looked at porn or did any shame acts for 7 years. I say this just to give hope and encouragement. Our Holy Mother will listen and help when you are ready. God bless your struggle.
@@zealousideal lots changes in 7 years my friend. Computer wise, ive worked in IT for over 20 years and had it fixed after a few days. When you try to live an Orthodox life you should see results as time goes on or your doing something wrong. Anyway, my story, after the protection was lifted which was just after my baptism because I previously was only chrismated, another chapter began where for about a year was in war for my soul on the issue. I was tempted so hard that many nighta I could not sleep and sweat through the night. My whole person was taxxed and changed by the battle with this demon. God allowed it as he does with all things for our salvation. So that by his Mercy I could defeat it on my own glory to God. I was not perfect but it has never become an issue again. God bless you on your journey.
Extremely well timed post Father. Today I had a series of events that helped triggered a domino effect of sin in my heart that made me relapse in my attempt abstain from lust and the Devils iconography. Much of what you say falls perfectly into place with the wider context of what God has been revealing to me in this struggle, of how many sins are branches off of other sins and the nature of how these passions tend to take root in us. Pray for me, as by the Grace of God I soon expect to be baptized as a catechumen. Pray for me that God forgive me of my sins known and unknown☦️
I was chaste for seven months and thought I conquered the passion of lust. It wasn't until I started to do more asceticism that I fell and realized how weak I was. It has been very difficult for me to pick up and carry my cross. May God have mercy.
Tip: Get unnecessary food from your house(sweets), eat mostly vegetables with high protein foods(beans during fast). Drink water and eat fruits(apples) through the day. Don't buy food outside house. No offense but I wouldn't take advice from this priest with this much belly fat
@@beardaji29dk2lwow. Dude you need repentance as well. Can’t believe you said that about the father. Just because someone is fat btw doesn’t mean they are gluttonous. Some have weight issues for different reasons it’s not always or usually overeating. For instance I’m overweight myself but I only eat one small meal a day. I just have bad genes and gain easily. Is what it is.
I've been struggling with lust, anger, gluttony, and a subtle pride that I've never been able to shake. The pride is the worst part. It makes you think that you're not that bad, or that you're no worse than anyone else, as if that were true or that it would be an excuse even if it were true. It's a cycle of frustration, lust, momentary release, shame, making excuses to yourself, rinse and repeat. It's evil, plain and simple, and I pray for freedom from these passions.
Men are lost in the society. Why do you think the red pill has become so popular. I grew up with very superficial Christianity in my house. You know the type. one prayer and you are saved Kind of christianity. Fighting my passions that didn't even come up in life until I started inquiring into orthodoxy.
This is really helpful. Im currently an inquirer(about to be a chatechumen) but one thing that ive noticed is my eyes being opened little by little to my sins since ive been going to Liturgy. Also ive seen that gluttony is tied to lust in my own life lately. Thank you Father
This passion has come and gone time and again in my life. At its worst, there were times when I couldn't even look at icons of St Mary of Egypt without sinful thoughts tormenting me. Still other times, I saw some of the foulest displays of lewdness in real life and they passed me by without harm. This thing can be overcome, but it has to be overcome anew every time the suggestion enters your mind, because we are so weak and fickle.
Tbh. I know that i am in a vicious cycle. But I also feel like there is no escape for me in this. Only falling and rising. Almost every day. Anger and lust seem to both drive me and cause me to be slothful. I honestly wish i could break these chains. Yet. I feel like the One Who can break them. Wont due to my own reluctance.
Thank you Father for these videos, they truly provide grace. God bless you and I will certainly keep you in my prayers. Have a wonderful night. Im the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ❤☦
Father, bless! First, I’d like to say, you have been hitting on EVERYthing of mine in the right order, Glory to God! I struggled with pornography since a very young age and I am now 52. I recently came upon a neuroscientist who said something very stark: To be finally rid of this, you MUST NOT dabble, even once, or your neuropathways will not heal; you will always be at square-one. After that, it takes 1-3 years to heal those pathways. I can say this is true from my own experience…because if I count the smallest of transgressions, I am only about a couple of months in. The anger that flares up during healing: Science agrees with this too, and so do those around me. God forgive me. Confession and the Church are our first line, but also know, it is biological. Ignoring this aspect will simply keep you in confession for this sin for the rest of your life on earth. Lastly, an Orthodox author wrote that much like an icon, in pornography the “veneration” is in a very real way, raping the image-bearer of God you are fantasizing and self-abusing to. This statement really took root in my heart. Please forgive me if I have been too harsh or have caused any offense. I am only trying to help people not travel the hard road I have traveled. Glory to God for all things! ☦️
Taking Responsibility for oneself is a great struggle and one that far too many of us fail at I'm blessed to serve in the alter so my attention is full on the needs of my Spiritual Father and Deacon and not on anyone else.
@ Fr. Mikhail I agree this shouldn’t happen on either side. But when I attend liturgy; I am there to worship, give thanks and pray to God. Being in the House of God is the only place where I don’t have to be concerned with the world for a brief period. So how am I as a man supposed handle being surrounded by temptation (people dressed not so modestly) in Church the one place I thought I would have to worry about that?
Dea Father Sir or anyone else: Sorry for long rant & I don't deserve Your important time & I don't mean to sound brass & symbols but would You please ask God to mercifully consider the pure intentions I had with a cherished woman that I lost named Rachel & the dilemma I have with want and covetousness?... and to thank Him that for as far as I know, I still have enough youth and health to even burn in passion? Can You also thank God for me and ask Him that my recent occupational, itinerary, and hopefully health blessings continue because it's my pleasure to eventually support Orthodoxy if that's His will? I'm ditching protestantism gladly. I think Orthodoxy is epic and beautiful. I'm probably very evil because I encounter a lot of scorn and I have many enemies and problems with random people constantly. God bless You all! I've said silent prayers for God to bless this Young priest and His new family and ministry. I really appreciate You all letting me hang out. I lived like hell so much that I'm afraid of myself and I hope I'm genuine. All I know is, losing my Rachel taught me how important purity is to the point of agony that I try to ignore.
I will only pray for one thing dear one. That you would be free of your passion and have peace. That is all you can ask for. Put your past out of your mind and find a good Orthodox priest to help you. God loves you, don’t give up.
Hi Fathor Religion, my name is Cham, but my friends on the internet know me as u/soundthealarm and I need to admit my misdeeds. Sooooooo at my old times when I was a boy, probably early college I did a Frat Bros dare and I pencil eraser first urethra and boy howdy was it good, good good! Now in my many years since I have put all manner of objects and creatures down the proverbial waterspout. More pencils and pens, ants, drill bits and of course, the classic sounding rods. And hey, I know its bad to say, but when I get home from a long day on the jobsite, and I see one of my 20mm rods just laying on my coffee table, I know what I have to do. Or at least, I did. Ever since a few days ago I been having prophecies told to me. They telling me that I am a sinner of lust and gluttony and if I don't stop, the West will fall. So yeah, bummer but it seems like I'm stuck with not having the sweet, pulsing pleasure of metal rods in my pee hole. So I'm here to ask you: What does Orthodoxy really say about sounding? Did any famous Orthodox figures sound? And if so, were they punished or celebrated for it? Thanks so much, I'm trying to resist the temptations but I'm leaking already as I type this. Much love -Cham Westley aka u/soundthealarm
Thank you for sharing this message Father. I am wondering if it is okay to do martial arts and if so which ones do you recommend? I am asking this as the Church is against the practice of yoga and other Eastern practices like that.
I'm not fr. Mikhail, but try to stray away from the eastern ones that have ideologies /spirituality in them (aikido, karate, muay thai - it has some biceps strips that they put on you and say a 'prayer' so fhe 'evil forces' 'spare you' when you fight). So boxing is a great one for self defense and defense for others, kickboxing is awesome, wrestling is a wonderful one for endurance and to physically overwhelm your opponent (tho you'd be better off if you choose a striking martial art like kickboxing so you can fight off multiple opponents).
I understand but what if the priest himself goes against the canons ? What should I do ? I don’t want to disturb him in any sense but I’m pretty and completely tortured in myself when I see my own priest betraying Christ’s law. It’s like when you put a knife in my back. Horrid. What should I do ? Thank you. May God bless you all ☦️ - And I’m from France. 🇫🇷
Patience. Pray for the poor soul because the judgment will be far more severe for all of us priests. Then, if he won’t listen to reason tell the bishop. If that fails, try to find another parish or jurisdiction.
No offence but most of what was said here wasn’t much of an answer to a serious problem. Children now grow up with their brains physically rewired through internet pornography which makes it either impossible to undo or extremely more difficult than any previous generation. Ongoing platitudes about owning up to things or whatever does nothing to help the issue which is why the epidemic continues to get worse. Nothing seems to help people, especially with marriage being pushed later and later in the west. It is only going to get worse
For what it's worth from a laywoman. Marriage won't stop it. With a p0rnography addiction, a marriage can be in serious trouble. It is best to break the passion first. One can only do that through owning up to it and blaming oneself, starting from there.
Not at all! Anyone can pray and ask for the help of the saints. They want your salvation more than you could know, because they’re filled with the life and love of Christ
@@living_orthodox thank you so much for your reply. Your videos are more helpful than you know especially for someone new to what orthodoxy has to offer.
@@LadyMaria Most of my neighbours are genocidal maniacs, hailing the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. They're also orthodox, so, there you go! (I'm not an atheist, just in case)
Wowww. The level of pride and disrespect and prejudice on this comment section is astounding (Unless you’re joking or trolling). I don’t understand why orthodox are some of the worst in these categories, and in the online comment sections. I see why so many people say they can’t stand online orthodox people. Very sad. Well at least you came to the right church (hospital) 🏥 ☦️ 📿 to get fixed by Doctor Trinity. 🤷🏻♂️ 🙏
