constant thoughts about fornication and the sins of Sodom,

What is spiritual fornication?

The theme of “spiritual” fornication of mankind is one of the main ones in the Old Testament. A person who fell away from God in paradise, who lost Him in history, has lost the true meaning of life, “got lost.” Church tradition calls a man who has fallen away from God a prodigal son (cf. Luke 15:11-32). The actions of people that testify to their godlessness are prodigal. To fornicate also means to fall into schism or heresy.

Physical and spiritual fornication are closely related. In the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church”, in the section devoted to morality, the state of modern society is characterized as a spiritual crisis, the manifestations of which include: mass rejection of God, propaganda of the idea of a “sexual revolution”, which led to the loss of the meaning of marriage and the feeling of the sinfulness of fornication...

Universal bait: hypertrophy of the sexual instinct

As the fallen angels are well aware, a person has no other way to remain without the grace of God, except for one thing - to commit a sin by violating any Divine commandment. However, it is not so easy to persuade a person to sin, especially initially, since conscience, as a divine instrument given to every person to distinguish between good and evil, greatly interferes with the performance of this task. In order to facilitate it, the demons needed to find such a universal bait that could, firstly, reliably hide the hook under the guise of, for example, natural physiological attraction, and secondly, be equally attractive to all people. The instinct of reproduction with its inherent natural attraction of opposite sexes to each other was chosen by demons as precisely such a universal bait, trapping all of humanity in the net of sin. Thanks to special methods of influencing human consciousness and physiology, demons are able to immeasurably increase (hypertrophy) sexual desire.

Thus, the method of hypertrophy of the sexual instinct is for demons a ubiquitous, main and universal method of mastering the will and body of a person. He easily and imperceptibly allows demons to force a person to cross the limit of the use of this instinct permitted by God, limited to the sphere of legal marriage, and, thereby, to sin. At the same time, demons, at their own choice, can direct their hypertrophied sexual desire to any, the strangest, inappropriate, or even terrible and disgusting object that:

or is prohibited by God (for example: another man’s wife, a small child, a subject of the same sex, any animal, a dead female body, etc.),
or is clearly, due to its social, intellectual or moral qualities, not suitable for further married life. In the latter case, the demons set themselves the goal of creating painfully difficult relationships between people who are alien in spirit, but who find themselves in a marriage union, whom the demons quite deliberately united with the help of a mutually directed fornication suggestion. Both spouses, and most importantly, their children, will suffer from this “failed love” (but, from the demons’ point of view, very successful).

But still, the main reason, in my opinion, that demons have completely taken control of the sexual instinct of any person is that it is this instinct in a hypertrophied form (with their help) that is the most powerful means by which they manage to provoke people are rebelling against God. The conflict artificially created by demons between what is desired (in the sexual sphere) and the commandment of God for many centuries among those who know God manifests itself, as a rule, in three main forms.

What stimulates lust?

Abba Isaiah (“The Fatherlander”)

For five reasons the prodigal warfare intensifies:

from idle talk,
from vanity,
from a lot of sleep,
from loving beautiful clothes,
from satiety.

Let him who wishes to remove from himself the abuse of fornication be kept from the mentioned reasons for it: let him replace idle talk with prayer, vanity with the humility of Christ, much sleep with vigil, fine clothes with rags, gluttony with abstinence from excess in food. Passions hold on to one another, like links in a chain.

Mental fornication

Saint Macarius the Great:

But if you outwardly keep your body from corruption and fornication, but inwardly you commit adultery and commit fornication in your thoughts, then you are an adulterer before God, and your virgin body will not bring you any benefit. Just as if a young man, having seduced a maiden by cunning, corrupts her, then she becomes vile to her fiancé for fornication, so the disembodied soul, which enters into communication with the serpent living inside, the evil spirit, commits fornication before God. And it is written that whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). For there is fornication committed physically, and there is fornication of the soul, which enters into communication with Satan. One and the same soul becomes an accomplice and sister of either demons, or God and Angels, and by committing adultery with the devil, it becomes undesirable for the heavenly Bridegroom

Derived sins of prodigal passion

Just as gluttony indulges voluptuousness, so, on the contrary, a riotous, vicious lifestyle, indulging lust in the circle of libertines encourages one to indulge in gluttony, drunkenness, laziness, laughter, waste existing money and hunger for new ones. Bragging about love affairs develops vanity in a person and inflates pride.

Carnal pleasure becomes the criterion for activities and turns away from work, helping others, prayer, and blasphemy begins to fall on them until the way of life in Christ becomes hateful and ridiculous to the fornicator.

About fornication in Holy Scripture

In the Old Testament, the 7th commandment of the Mosaic Decalogue - “thou shalt not commit adultery” (see Exod. 20:14; Deut. 5:18) - does not draw a clear line between the concepts of adultery and fornication, therefore this commandment applies to all cases of violation of sexual morality .

In the New Testament there are much stricter concepts about chastity, about the attitude towards the body, corresponding to the revealed highest purpose of man - unity with God: the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body (1 Cor. 6:13). The Apostle Paul calls the body the temple of the Holy Spirit living in Christians (see 1 Cor. 6:19) and contrasts the lifestyle of the sinner, who becomes one body with the harlot, to the union of the believer with the Body of Christ - His Church (see 1 Cor. 6: 15-17) .

Christ draws attention to the fact that adultery (like fornication) is committed primarily in the heart of a person, i.e. in thought and feeling: He who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matt. 5:28). Fornication is indicated by Christ among the evil thoughts that come from the heart and defile a person (see Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21), while the Apostle Paul calls chastity God’s sanctification of Christians (see 1 Thess. 4:3-5). Therefore, fornication and all uncleanness should not even be named among Christians, as is fitting for saints (Eph. 5:3). In this regard, the fate of fornicators and adulterers is determined, who will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; cf. Rev. 22:15), for fornication corrupts the soul and body, cools a person in his desire for God, separates with God blessing.

At the same time, having come to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13), giving every person the opportunity to be cleansed of sins, the Lord sets an example of a merciful attitude towards fallen man. Denouncing the pride and hypocrisy of his accusers, Christ says to the harlot brought to Him: Go and sin no more (John 8:3-11). Repentant harlots, to whom the Lord promised a better fate than the high priests (see Matt. 21:31), became His faithful disciples.

Impact on the human soul

Dullness and insensibility of the soul, and, as a result, torture and death. After prodigal sin, the soul suffers and suffers greatly. It’s hard for her, she’s devastated, she’s wounded, and prodigal sin greatly defiles the soul and shakes the mind. One who has sinned by fornication is a completely demoralized person, prone to despair, since the mind cannot comprehend the full depth of its fall. Precisely falls, since this word is used only for prodigal sins and not for any others.

Even if a person sinned by fornication only in his mind, he still fell, since fornication immediately brings down the entire spiritual building of a person to the ground. In his works, St. John Climacus more than once makes this comparison: when a repentant heretic (a person who has departed from the prevailing or generally accepted views, rules, regulations) is accepted into the Church, then he is accepted through repentance and even in his existing rank (if he is a priest) and that’s it, no penances ( a type of church punishment for the laity in the Christian Church, spiritual medicines and spiritual hardening). And for adultery they were excommunicated from Communion for 9 to 15 years. That is, how much more terrible is the sin of fornication compared to heresy!

Venerable John Climacus

Inflammation of the soul by passions - a person can completely lose control over himself and become simply an animal, a slave of his passions.

Paralysis of all spiritual movements in a person - after sin, a person cannot find the strength and will to pray, fast sincerely, with all his soul.

Frustration, anxiety, tossing and reeling of the soul is when the soul cannot find peace. She flutters like a flag in the wind, finding no shelter.

The fight against fornication in the ascetic practice of the Church

Fornication appears as one of the main passions in the ascetic teaching of the Church. Along with gluttony, fornication refers to carnal passions, i.e. passions related to the needs of the body. The Apostle Paul and the holy fathers especially emphasize that every sin is committed outside the body, and the fornicator sins against his own body (1 Cor. 6:18). Lustful passion is the result of a constant agreement with lustful thoughts and the development of the skill for fornication, the psychophysical need for it.

Asceticism closely links fornication with lust. Lust does not mean sexual desire as such, for it is given to a person in marriage as a force of attraction between those who unite, but a distortion of gender relations as a result of the Fall, associated with selfishness, a thirst for power: seeing in another person only an object for satisfaction.

Fornication, like any other passion, is overcome by humility, a virtuous life according to God's commandments, and opening oneself to the action of God's grace through the Sacraments of the Church. The mental and physical nature of fornication presupposes special means of practical combat against it. To defeat prodigal passion, abstinence, solitude, and silence are useful. The Lord gives the sinner time to repent. Church disciplinary practices combined Old Testament intolerance of fornication with pastoral loving concern for the sinner. Canon law distinguishes fornication from adultery, the punishment for which is twice as severe as for fornication.

Private Methods

During temptations, it is necessary to cut off thoughts at the root , that is, as soon as an image or inspiration appears in the soul, one must resort to prayer in order to expel this filth from the soul or replace this thought with a good one - this is what St. recommends. Theophan the Recluse. Calling on the name of God, the Jesus Prayer or some other prayer, since without God’s help no one will ever be able to overcome this passion. According to the Holy Fathers, before defeating it, a person must admit his weakness and his inability to fight this sin with his own strength. Until this moment, God cannot help us without destroying our soul, but as soon as we admit our weakness, from that moment our true struggle with the sin of fornication begins.

Memories of shame after the Fall. Remembrance of the punishment for sin in this life and in the next. Many Holy Fathers resorted to this method - constant remembrance of death.

Reading Holy Scripture and Lives of Saints. This helps to drive out lustful thoughts, and then the place of Satan in our soul is taken by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Alternatively, you can occupy yourself with your favorite activity or hobby, which will also help distract yourself from sin.

Church canons on prodigal sin

A layman for fornication is excommunicated from communion for 7 or 9 years according to the rules of Basil the Great or Gregory of Nyssa, but the period of penance can be shortened. Clergy who fall into fornication are defrocked, but are not deprived of the sacrament, because Double punishment is not imposed for one crime. In practice, when applying the canons, the Church takes into account the specific spiritual and historical situation.

About the fight against prodigal passion.

Archimandrite Rafail (Karelin):

The fight against prodigal passion is, first of all, sobriety of mind and heart, that is, timely detection and immediate cutting off of an unclean thought (image), which is possible only in the light of constant prayer; turning anger against unclean thoughts (images); constant work, confession and opening of thoughts to your spiritual father, mentor; the fight against gluttony, modesty in clothing and behavior, non-judgment, silence and reasonable solitude during especially strong attacks of the prodigal spirit and, most importantly, unfeigned, deep humility. The Holy Fathers say: “Chastity is the sum of all virtues.”

Where do dreams lead?

Bernardino Luini. Salome with the head of St. John the Baptist

Permissiveness is more about people of great wealth, but anyone can begin to indulge their desires indiscriminately. It all starts with the most harmless thing, but if you don’t learn to say “no” to yourself at the right moment, then feelings and desires make consciousness their slave. These days we remember one such sad example - the beheading of John the Baptist. The Gospels of Matthew (14:1-13) and Mark (6:14-30) give us an account of this event. King Herod, having such an opportunity, did not deny himself anything: neither food, nor wine, nor entertainment. Having not learned to abstain at all, he became a slave to his passions. Then he took his wife Herodias from his brother Philip, lived with her, drowning in luxury, and the nobles called it normal and indulged him in everything. Only John the Baptist was not afraid and came to his palace several times to denounce him.

Herod, although he feared John as a prophet and listened to him in many ways, nevertheless put him in prison - the truth stings his eyes. Herodias hated him more than anyone and wanted him dead. Finally, the moment was right for this. During the feast, the intoxicated Herod makes an insane oath: to give the daughter of Herodias everything she wants. The mother, taking advantage of the situation, forces her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist as a gift. “The king was saddened, but for the sake of the oath and those with him, he did not want to refuse her” (Mark 6:26). Having never denied himself or Herodias anything, Herod executes an innocent man. If his mind had not been darkened by debauchery, would he have committed such a crime?

How to confess prodigal sins?

The Monk Macarius of Optina gave the following recommendation: “As for the fact that you find it difficult to tell your confessor about certain subjects, I will tell you: do not explain in detail the mental battles of passionate carnal thoughts, but simply say: “I am overcome by carnal thoughts”; That’s enough.”

“Bodily lust fades from confession more than from fasting and vigil,” wrote St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov). If agreement with the thought has already been expressed in some action, then again shame should not become an obstacle to confession; on the contrary, the experience of this shame can be called the beginning of healing. There is a saying that “prodigal sins are burned with shame.”

Prodigal sins are confessed without details, only by naming them. For example: he sinned by fornication (adultery, sexual perversion, masturbation, lustful thoughts...).

The goal of demons is power over humanity

The main goal of the work of demons over the consciousness, will and body of every person is to achieve complete power over all of humanity, separating people from their Creator and making them like themselves. The demons set this goal for themselves because of their fierce and immeasurable hatred of God, from Whom they once fell away, wanting to take revenge on Him through those whom He loved so much that He voluntarily went to the Cross, atonement for their sins.

A passionate thirst for revenge in order to satisfy their boundless pride and lust for power forces demons to ensure that people fall away from God, whom they personally cannot harm. But in order to tear them away from the Heavenly Father, to distort the image of God in them, making people similar to themselves (i.e., demonic), demons must first deprive people of protection - those grace-filled uncreated Divine energies that do not allow demons to control their will and thoughts and the human body. The grace of God, the accumulation (acquisition) of which, according to the word of St. Seraphim of Sarov, should be the main work of a Christian on earth, increasing in quantity within him, creating also outside him a kind of protective “screen” that complicates the external influence of demons and prevents their penetration into the human body. That is why the demons had a very pressing question: how to deprive a person of this blessed protective “screen”.

Why are intimate relationships outside of marriage a sin, but blessed within marriage?

Hieromonk Macarius (Markish):

Sexual intimacy is not sinful in any way when a man and woman are in a certain state - married. When sexual intimacy becomes an outrage against a marriage, current or future, the destruction and death of a marriage and personality, then, of course, it is sinful.

Marriage, created and blessed by the Lord, serves to nurture and increase love between people. But people, unfortunately, abuse the gifts they receive - and this causes innumerable sorrows. Take an example: let's say you have a car. If it is yours, great, it will bring you joy and benefit. And if you stole it - exactly the same car, only not yours, but stolen - it is nothing but evil, you will be punished according to your deserts. Sexual intimacy without marriage is stolen.

Abbot Peter Meshcherinov:

Why fornication is terrible can only be answered from a religious point of view; from all other positions there will always be the possibility of counterarguments.

From a religious point of view. the answer is: fornication drives the Holy Spirit out of a person’s heart. Fornication and the Holy Spirit cannot coexist: either one or the other. And there is nothing more terrible for a person than to remain outside of God (in fact, hell is existence without God). Christ paid special attention to this, saying that whoever just looks at a woman with lust..., etc.

Two investigative questions immediately arise:

1) Why is this so?

Because this is how the spiritual world works. God arranged it this way, whether we like it or not. It’s the same as if a person leaves a 15th floor window, he will fall down and break - these are the laws of the world in which we live; and it is unreasonable not to take them into account.

2) What about marriage? After all, the same carnal relationships, which outside marriage are considered such a great sin, are legal and not sinful in marriage?

In marriage, carnal relationships are just the completion of already existing spiritual and emotional connections (and for Christians there is also the Sacrament of Marriage). Therefore, they are “in their place”; and only in marriage are they built into creation, which is “very good”; outside of marriage they trample on God’s plan for the world and man.

***

“Fornication is not a preparation for marriage, but a state opposite to it,” defined St. John Chrysostom.

***

“Recently one monk came to my cell. - Old man, I want a woman. -What edibles do you have in your cell? -Only bread. - Bring it here. Three days later the monk came again. - What do you want: a woman or bread? - Bread, father. “Take it and learn to humble your flesh yourself and you will not want fornication.” From the book “Lovers of God: stories about the devotees of piety of modern Greece, monks and laity.”

Requests for help Write your story Guys, I don’t want to die or commit suicide. Your site dissuaded me from this, now I’m asking for something else. I just ask one thing from you: pray for me. I'm a scary person. I constantly think about fornication, sodomy things, violence and other rubbish. I am simply attached to this prodigal demon and fulfill all his whims. I stayed like this my whole life. I've been stuck in this crap since I was thirteen. From thirteen! For the last week I held on and read spiritual literature. And three days ago I fell into despair because of one problem, and now I collapsed. and for three days I just fulfill one wish. There is nothing more. I killed myself with sin. I can't love anyone. I'm a bastard. help, so that I don’t bring more harm than I have upon myself. Thank you.

Ilya, age: 22/08/20/2012

Responses:

The very fact that you have entrusted your problems to those who read requests and help on this site is part of your liberation. The devil would really like to continue to share this secret with you, and he is probably not pleased that you shed light on this matter with your confession. Go to the temple, talk to the priest. This is a struggle, and there is nothing unusual about it. Here's what you need to focus on: 1.Look to Jesus Christ. 2. Confess your sins. 3. Take small steps. 4. Avoid all uncleanness. 5. Treasure your time. 6. Alternate mental and physical. loads. 7. Seek fellowship with Christians. 8. Rejoice in God's love. There is a prayer to John the Long-Suffering (revered as an assistant in the fight against “prodigal passion”) Peace be with you!

Natalya, age: 25 / 08/20/2012

Run to confession, and what you cannot cope with on your own (and which of us can do it ourselves, I don’t know), the Lord will send you strength. Lord, save and have mercy on Your suffering Servant Elijah, through the prayers of the holy Angels, ward off every enemy and adversary for him, and grant him forgiveness of sins, correction of life, and repentance will whiten his Soul. Amen. Don’t despair Christ came into the world for sinners like you and me.

Olga, age: 51 / 08/20/2012

Lord, I ask for the health of R. B. Elijah, for the forgiveness of his voluntary and involuntary sins. Amen. Maybe it makes sense for you to go to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius for a lecture, if HE is stuck and tormenting you so much... and you are not a bastard at all, but a very good, kind person! you just need to get rid of HIM, your murderer... read “May God rise again” and Psalm 90 several times a day and go to confession! no matter how hard it is, or if you don’t have the strength, confess to yourself, write down all your sins and burn them

Irina, age: 51 / 08/20/2012

...I’d like to add, maybe you should take sedatives if you can’t live without fornication, they are given in the army so that you don’t want too much...and in general, a sedative, of course, won’t hurt, and constant prayer...also go to the Temple, preferably of the Prophet Elijah and order Sorokoust for your health and do it every 40 days...

Irina, age: 51 / 08/20/2012

Ilya, it’s the Assumption Fast, during fasting demons attack everyone more strongly. We need to go to church for confession. And protect yourself with prayer. Pray to Mary of Egypt: -akathist https://www.cofe.ru/blagovest/article.asp?heading=43&article=6751 at the end of the akathist prayer canon https://samara.orthodoxy.ru/Molitva/Kanon/Svyatie/Mariya_k. html God help you!

Varvara, age: 50 / 08/20/2012

…stop watching TV and other videos!!!! throw it all in the trash!!!! you've probably seen enough of all this crap and it's firmly stuck in you!!!...you have a vulnerable psyche and all these views have completely torn it down!!! don’t even turn on the news, because you’re on the edge and you need to calm down and no music, loud or quiet... you have to turn your brain off from all this pressure... calm down and go to nature! stand hugging a tree, look into the transparent sky, pick mushrooms, etc.!! peace and quiet...praying for r.b. Elijah

Inga, age: 49 / 08/20/2012

Confess often. Even if after confession you fall again, do not despair, get up and confess again. There is no other way. This rad can only be overcome by fasting and prayer. Fight for your soul. The evil one does not need your body. That’s why it pushes you to thoughts of suicide and forces you to commit fornication. Only God has the power to free.

Allessika7, age: 43 / 08/20/2012

I’m not a Christian, but this doesn’t change the essence - I will definitely pray for you. How many people live in fornication and sin and don’t even think about it, but your living Soul resists this in you, you just need to help it. And I will help.

From Flame and Light, age: 23/08/20/2012

Everything is simple, hard work will help you - you just won’t have any thoughts left for any heresy! Work out in the gym, work 2 jobs, and you won’t have time and energy left for any nonsense! I will join Natalya’s advice - confess and the next time Satan comes to you, think about what you promised God to confess! God help you!

Vadim, age: 55 / 08/20/2012

Hello, Ilya. Brother, you can’t even imagine how familiar I am with everything you write about. I'll tell you one thing, brother. Be patient and pray. Never despair. The best way to deal with this is to get married. Dear Ilya, no matter what happens, no matter how you fall, still ask God for help. This abomination not only provokes suicidal thoughts, but also takes away a man’s strength, and most importantly, Courage. This crap also causes perversion. In general, everything is a laughing stock for the demons. And anyway, brother, be patient. Pray and trust in God. Of course we will pray for you.

Sergey K, age: 29/08/20/2012

It’s good when there is a separation between the soul and sin, and this is exactly what you have) “now in the heat, now in the cold.” Sometimes faith is born in the darkest places of the soul, where you need to make a choice, feeling, in essence, your powerlessness. You can’t stand yourself, but God does, He knows more about you than you do. In the struggle for their eros (not against, but for) many suffer. Why don't you mind? Because the fight against sin is different. Energy itself can be used in completely different ways, including overcoming its deviations. You are fighting for the correct application of a special kind of God-given energy. God's help to you, Ilya, perseverance, courage in this battle. And also wisdom and humility (yes, I am a sinner, but it’s still a sin to fall into despair over anything;) I can give you one parable in a free retelling: Two ancient Egyptian monks came to the city by business and ended up in the evening in a bad place (apparently, simply in a brothel) ... with all that it entails. One fell into extreme despair and tore his hair and clothes, and the second, apparently, turned out to be more cunning and went a different way. When the first one lamented: what have we done, there is no forgiveness for us forever! The second said: God be with you, brother, what are you saying? Yesterday we were at a reception with the local bishop, treated ourselves, and had soul-saving conversations. The first one answers him: what, you unfortunate thing, were you really so drunk yesterday that you don’t remember girls of easy virtue or all other indecencies?? And the second one says in surprise: well, brother, if you call the pious mothers who were there lost women, who else is in the minds of the two of us? The first despaired and went into the world, leaving monasticism and completely disappeared, and the second returned to the monastery and continued his path to God. Apparently, he made the right move ;)

Alena, age: 30 / 08/20/2012

Ilya, to the best of my ability, I will pray for you. I want to say this. It is very good for the soul when it sees its sins. Useful, yes, but the soul becomes confused. Our task is to direct hatred specifically at sin, and not at ourselves personally! It is very important to separate yourself, the Image of God (even if you have sinned) and the hated vile sin that has stuck to your soul. Don’t lose heart: you fall - get up, you fall again - you get up again, and so on all your life. Thank God we do not receive punishment for our vile deeds. God is merciful. We get what we strive for, what we desire with all our hearts. Just strive for goodness as much as you can, God will handle the rest.

Elena Ordinary, age: 35 / 08/21/2012

Hi Ilya! If it were so easy to get rid of sin, why would Christ come to earth and sacrifice himself? And first of all, he hurried to the sick - publicans, fornicators, robbers came to him... it’s true that by sin we kill ourselves already here. But what is impossible for man is possible for God. Therefore, we must not despair. This is a hard struggle, but with Christ you can get rid of sin. Now is fasting, fast and get ready for confession and Communion - such powers will come to you that you have never known before. And the Lord himself will be with you. This is the happiness we have, this opportunity to be with Christ NOW. Such a holiday! Do you remember how much joy there is in heaven over one repentant sinner? Be cheerful and thank God that you are alive, that you have come to life, that there is a chance to fix everything. And as long as you are alive, this chance still exists, always as long as you wake up in the morning and open your eyes. and the demon whispers thoughts about suicide to you. it's a lie! I know exactly. With God blessing!!!

Rita, age: 27 / 08/21/2012

Dear Ilya! “The enemy, when he persuades you to sin, inspires: do not be afraid, God is merciful. And when it leads to sin, then it clouds and destroys the soul: there is no salvation for you!” I recommend that you read this short material: https://nasemenovs.com/azbuka/biblio/repentance.html Maybe it will help you in some way. Hold on! And don't give up!

Ila, age: 34 / 08/21/2012

Ilya, I was also “seduced” by a prodigal demon at the age of 13-14, I had a lot of thoughts about “this”, and I was disgusted by it, but I couldn’t get rid of this obsession MYSELF. But when I told myself, even if I feel bad, I will distract myself from these prodigal thoughts by willpower. And I did it! and after 3 years I met my future husband. Try! Fight. The results of this struggle will be unexpected for you! God help you!

Katik, age: 30 / 08/21/2012

Ilya! If you think about it and suffer, it only means that not everything is lost. And I personally believe that with such awareness and attitude you will cope and be able to overcome all the vices that you have. Because they are not part of you, they are unnecessary. I believe that soon you will realize this. And God will forgive you and will never remember your past sins. NEVER. You are not alone on this battlefield, we all, every person constantly faces various trials, but God is always there and he is able to strengthen you in moments when you are weak. Just don't forget to ask him about it. And he will give you both strength and wisdom. James 1:5. I wish you good luck! Maybe sometimes we really can’t handle something, but ask God and he will certainly support you.

Vera, age: 26/08/21/2012

Ilya! This is Vera again) I put your letter into a text analysis program. And I saw everything that I already thought about you, I can’t help but share the result of the analysis with you. (I hope the moderators will let it through))) I sincerely wish you happiness!!!!))) Believe me, such results are very rare! Just like people;) a) The text contains a desire to change the situation for the better. b) This person has a goal for the sake of which he is ready to do a lot. c) When you meet, you can hug this writer - he (she) will be pleased. d) Makes contact easily - don’t miss the moment. e) This man has nothing to hide. This is how you see a direct gaze, a slightly raised chin, a sparkle in the eyes. f) A fairly flexible person.) g) You can rest assured of the nobility of the intentions that this person had at the time of writing this message. h) This person thinks big. One feels a flight of fancy. i) The message is written sincerely, with a sense of trust in the reader. j) The author is closed and not prone to expression. k) Cannot stand dullness and routine. l) The one who wrote this cannot be called a weakling. m) Loves when everything is simple and clear. n) Why the extra complexity? Everything is quite simple, just one, two, three. o) Ready state. Characterized by dedication and the ability to give more to the world than to receive. p) Vital tone is at a good level... q) Do not take what the author has stated too seriously. r) The location is quite friendly.

Vera, age: 26/08/22/2012

This is the author of the post. Thank you everyone. I personally lasted a day and broke down. I'm afraid they overestimated my mood.

Ilya, age: 22/08/22/2012

Ilya, it is useless to turn to the soul and your moral strength when they are weak. Sorry for saying this, but this is based on my own experience. Here you need to turn to reason, it will lead you out.

Evgeniy, age: 26/08/23/2012

Hi Ilya! Personally, I never overestimate anyone. And don’t overestimate yourself;) If you can’t handle something yourself, don’t despair! This is normal) But with God everything is possible. Next time you face a challenge, immediately pray. You always stumble because you rely only on your own strength. And this is wrong. Also, open your Bible and read Proverbs 24:16. And get up... no matter how many times you fall, get up again. What you face is no more than human trials, and we create them partly for ourselves... “But everyone is tested by being carried away and enticed by his own desires” (James 1:14). Do not allow unclean thoughts to live in you, cut them off at the root, and immediately switch your attention. And pray. Neither you nor I can change everything. God can. He will certainly support you. Just pray. God is close to all who call on him. And I am also with you in thought. It will be bad to write. However, I am absolutely sure that with God’s help you will overcome everything.

Vera, age: 26/08/26/2012

Verochka, thank you. You give very wise advice. Thank you. The author of the post has disturbed you again.

Ilya, age: 22/08/27/2012

After another fall, I understood one simple thought: there is no salvation outside the Church. It is very simple, but all my life I did not understand it and tried to save myself before God without the Church.

Ilya, age: 22/08/27/2012

Please) I’m very touched... You know, Elijah... I don’t have any wisdom of my own... and I have a lot of weaknesses... But the Apostle Paul once said, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10) And this means that in in our weaknesses, we can rely on God, and with his strength he will protect and help us in everything. This means trust in God, and pride makes us rely only on ourselves... and here is the trap.... You are a great fellow... and your conclusions are correct... just be careful on this path. After all, we need to constantly make sure what God's will really is. (Romans 12:2) I will pray for you today... And you for me), and I am confident that our prayer will be heard.

Vera, age: 26/08/29/2012

Thank you. At least I managed to get up. I hope forever. This is the author of the post. Thank you all for your prayers.

Ilya, age: 22/31/08/2012

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