8:05pm: Crazy lustful thoughts. 8:06pm: Praying for forgiveness and help. 8:07pm: Attempt to distract myself w TH-cam... this was literally the first video that came up... I have no words. 🤯🙏🏻☦️
Just want to share that such a phenomenon happens to me very often. Not necessarily pertaining to Lust temptations ( although it did and still do ) but pertaining to a plethora of other subjects. I could wake up one morning, after a having gone to bed with an idea on a subject in relation with my spiritual growth, and sure enough, something so pertinent will pop up from google, or a book from my bookshelf will be there for me to grab. It's just amazing how the universe will bring moments of awe .
Other than praying, you could use the BlockSite App. Just as Father Spyridon said: We must destroy the passions within us. If you are unable to enter this sites, you have no other choice than praying to God ;-)
Bolshevik atheists invented the feminist movement and later after the porn industry etc. for the moral erosion of social structure. Still, the moral society struggles so hard to end this sickness for the soul. The enemy is multidimensional. Governments play a dark role. Rotten puppets doing their work so good. Let's do our lightwork more better! God bless 🙏
It's just as easy to search for sermons as it is to search for pornography. Except one fills your soul, while the other destroys it. Think twice before using pornography. Think of how you look when watching pornography too. It looks pathetic. You're literally watching others fornicate and all you do is end up, well, destroying yourself.
A note on a practical approach: I recently took somewhat literally the idea to pluck out your eye if it causes you to sin. Being near-sighted, I simply take off my glasses when in a crowded area where people wear anything and everything. People become a blur, my mind is not pulled out into the shapes!
Lots of ways to “pluck out your eye” Limit what you watch on TV, if at all Watch where you go Watch who you are with Simply focus your eyes in another direction Be a monk, lol
I found the Jesus Prayer, consistently, continually, with no stop, until the feeling leaves, really has helped me very much - I keep a prayer rope always with me these days, Father.
It is as if this video was made for me, especially at this time where I am at my worst. I have been suffering with this since I hit puberty and I've tried to stop many times since. Thank you Fr Spyridon and continue to pray for us who struggle with this sin ☦️
Seek the intercessions of St, Mary of Egypt. She is a mighty advocate in the struggle against carnal passions. She has not failed me despite my many failures. God's peace.
It's the same for me. I am in my late 20s and I have been a porn addict for 15 years. By God's grace, after being baptized into the Orthodox Church, I am finally making progress in fighting it.
St. Gregory writes that Eve sinned and "came to death" because she allowed desire to enter her soul through the "windows" of her eyes. He warns the faithful to be careful that we not even look on what is forbidden. "If I defile my mind in thought, I can never be the inheritance of Him who is the Author of purity." See Matthew 5:27, 28; 1Peter 1:13
I struggle big time with lust and masturbation. I fail, I pick myself back up and move forward in Christ. It's a tough one for me, but the hope always lies in Christ
May the LORD comfort you in your affliction... LORD quench our hearts - so prone to drink from poisoned wells... Give us living water - fill up our hearts with treasure in Heaven... Let our eyes see what we cannot perceive - due to all these tempting distractions. You know what we need... We open our hands and look to you... The best gifts come from you. Thank you. In Jesus Name we ask @@paulthompson4332
I keep trying to tell myself that to desire revenge is to directly question God's judgement. Who am I to decide that justice has to be done NOW, MY way? Who am I to think I even know what justice is? I think when we do that, we're saying that we don't trust God to "handle it" in whatever way He sees fit. I am absolutely NO teacher and am not very wise or anything like that at all, I'm just giving you my thoughts as someone that also has similar feelings.
Thank you for this message father. I too was exposed to pornography at a young age like so many others and have struggled with it well into my adult life and still continue to. I was raised Protestant and lately I am finding American churches lacking in any real spiritual depth. I knew nothing of Orthodoxy until I was looking into using a rosary and then came across Orthodox prayer ropes and your video on prayer without ceasing. You pack so much into your short little messages and you are truly a God send to so many of us who have not heard good teaching. Thank you and God bless you father Spyridon.
agree ive heard some pastors,bishops etc etc etc overtime babble on for an hour or so & yet still not get as much essence & meaning straight to the point as Mr Spyridon can in a few minutes or so
If it were only lust! Unfortunately there are so many issues attached to it!.. Emotions to which are attached to all the psychological aspects, the feeling of being wanted, loved, perhaps something that was lacking growing up.. fear of rejection, depression, anxiety etc etc, it point bk to seeking that fulfilment which is why many seek it out in “lust”
Important video. I was “blessed”with lots of attention from woman as I grew into a young adult. Chasing woman and entering into brief shallow relationships at the moment feels validating. It took many years for me to realize the pain and hurt I was causing other people...I am lucky that I recently was able to walk away from that behaviour and lifestyle. I can assure other men here you that no matter how many woman you are with you will never find what you are think you are looking for and you will hurt people that you care about...Be better then I was. The woman in your lives deserve it.
I’ve caused terrible pain to women in my past, and experienced terrible pain myself when I made lust and relations of the flesh my god. I try not to be consumed by it and I seek repentance, but the consequences of modern sexual liberation are just dreadful to think about at times
@@demetrialoizou7255 Me? Yes, I am a happily married man now. Best thing to do is not lie about the past and just be honest that you want to work towards a more complete life with someone.
This was beautiful, Father. Thank you. As one who "struggled" (meaning simply gave in and had no thought I could truly overcome) lust for most of my youth and adult life I was definitely given an extra measure of Grace when I actually turned to God for help. That was my first step into also finding the Orthodox Church and the fullness of Christ there in. One thing that you mentioned here and that differs greatly from the Protestant world I grew up in is the truth that temptation is NOT sin. In deed our Lord was, Himself, tempted in all things. It is things such as The Jesus Prayer, asking for prayers of the Saints, such as Saint Mary of Egypt, and simply allowing myself to REALLY struggle through temptation, dashing the babies of my passions on the rocks, that has helped me to continue to overcome. Getting rid of our television, leaving Facebook and Instagram, and filling my mind and surrounding myself with Holy Icons and things that are pure - not to mention getting a job that is physically laborious - have all helped in my healing as well. Thank you for this which I pray helps many others. By your prayers; Father bless.
@@oceanwave4142 your cooperation with His Grace is your free will. People are damned as they do not cooperate with His Grace. Jesus simply means the He is the source of all that is good. We must act on it.
@@oceanwave4142 no. We're going in circles. Get in a bible study group (Catholic) , pick up your cross, deny yourself daily, and follow Him; OR wallow in your pride and obstanance and reap your just payment. May God bless you.
Thank-you Fr. Spyridon. Having been exposed to the most detestable smut since I was extremely young, it has left a festering scar on my soul that I've only been seriously trying to fight since becoming an Orthodox Christian, over a decade later. I've failed and fallen flat on my face several dozen times trying to tear my mind and heart away from this awful mess of stimuli, and even now I am trying to make another attempt to fight this passion. Your prayers. Take heart brothers and sisters, God has given us the power to defeat this sin. Wisdom of Sirach 15:14-17 14 God, in the beginning, created human beings and made them subject to their own free choice 15 If you choose, you can keep the commandments; loyalty is doing the will of God. 16 Set before you are fire and water; to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand. 17 Before everyone are life and death, whichever they choose will be given them."
Yes, I too was exposed to pornography at a very young age and it has been a life-long struggle. Take heart and pray for me. I will pray for you. Through the intercessions of St. Mary of Egypt.
@Reee Monro I can't get angry bro, you're right. I'm a rather twisted person. As a young man in 2020 I've grown up in an age where we're given every opportunity to develop the most horrific vices, with scare few voices warning us to the contrary. The damage isn't undone in a day either. Thank-you, I wish you the best as well!
I’m so guilty of this. It’s consuming. It’s become an escape to a life of depression, ptsd, and unemployment. I hate it. I don’t want any part of it. Please pray for me. The Lord Knows I’m trying. I need direction. Gracias, hermanos.
You should go to liturgy if you can, Christ loves us more than we ever have deserved and when we sin it can be used by God to humble us and to realize how much more we need Him, don’t give up, there’s nothing you can do for God to reject you first
When evil thoughts come into my head during sleep or when I do the Jesus prayer, I make the sign of the cross on my forehead, eyes, lips, throat, and heart and I say "Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered! Let those who hate him flee from his face! In the name of the father and of the sun and the holy spirit"
Thanks! It's morning here, and it is a blessing waking up with your Word, comanded by God. Chastity is, indeed, one of the most hard virtues to access still on youth, but the Holy Spirit do has the power to help us in this struggle!
Anything holy or wise in these videos comes from the Church Fathers, not me. I am simply trying to share a little of the wisdom of the Orthodox Church. God bless you. +
“In the hour in which we are tempted we must be patient and pray. Temptation is a clever craftsman. He is able to make small things loom large. Temptation disquiets, saddens, and creates external battles. He knows many arts. He brings man to doubt. For this reason we have many shipwrecks. When we are beset by temptation that’s when the grace of God comes. When one undergoes temptation, he recognizes his weakness, is humbled and attracts the grace of God. Don’t let the winds of temptation affect you. They can’t do you any harm.” - Elder Amphilochios
Prayer and work helps..... Constantly occupy yourself with work..... Have a consistent schedule everyday......... Exercise..... Make sure your body is very tired...... Fasting helps, no meat, cut a meal a day............. Ask for prayers of fellow Orthodox Christians........ Tell your spiritual father your struggles..... Confess....... Participate in Holy Mysteries..........
@Marina Svletlana I am 38 now...the roots of that sin are hard to be eradicated from me. I only need God to help me. I have to be humble and pray more and to make strict fasts.
definitely a hard one.... staying in daily repentance and sanctification not to mention denying the flesh will aid immensely in combating these unseen spiritual forces DEMONS
Hello there.. Something like this needs a practical method to be free.. It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying.. What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..? If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from.. Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean.. What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things? Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people? Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation.. Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt. Above all.. Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel.. Be intentional about getting free.. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Father Spyridon, I have great news! My prayers have been answered, and I have been set free from the passion of lust (and especially masturbation, which was my primary outlet for these urges). I have had this vice from about the age of twelve or so (I am 20 this summer). Thank you for this channel where you share the wisdom of God. I thank God that I have found your channel and I thank Him for healing me of this terrible passion, which had shackled me to this world for so long.
Thank you Father Spyridon! I have added St. Maria of Egypt into my prayers for a week or so now, to help with this, and now this video comes at the perfect time! It feels like some confirmation from the Holy Spirit, please pray for me Father!
Thank you very much for this Father Spyridon. This passion of sin is always a devil of an issue to deal with for alot of people, especially for myself. It's never easy to deal with personal vices or sins and even the line in desiring a spouse at times can be easily tripped between what you want and what you need intermingling between the two. I'd definitely love to hear more on this subject matter and while i generally do listen to your things in the background most days, i do miss the body language you use in your usual videos when you preach about something. Thank you again, Spyridon. In a time where I left the church years ago because I stopped hearing the word in the sermons i was at, it's been difficult to convince myself to go back to a community of faith and nurture the Holy Spirit. With you, I definitely hear the Spirit in what you preach. Sincerely, Vinyltavia.
This is a big struggle for me, especially with the whole social media thing and it being so easy to slip up. It's like trying to quit a drug addiction with a table full of drugs right in front of you all the time. It wears on my conscience too, every time I slip up I get anxiety, and I feel like God is going to punish me, I start watching my back and get scared. I'm so fucked.
Rely on god More mass more fasting Stay away from internet till ur cured Pray rosary at night Go sleep Wear 2 jogging pants lol Cold showers Take care Look at how better ur doing aim for 0
Hello there.. Something like this needs a practical method to be free.. It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying.. What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..? If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from.. Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean.. What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things? Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people? Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation.. Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt. Above all.. Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel.. Be intentional about getting free.. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.
@@tonysabell7737 Hello there.. Something like this needs a practical method to be free.. It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying.. What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..? If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from.. Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean.. What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things? Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people? Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation.. Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt. Above all.. Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel.. Be intentional about getting free.. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Before my journey to Christ I was a terrible hedonist and lust is my biggest struggle. Since adopting the Christian worldview it’s as if I am now able to see the cult of fornication that grips the world
Father Spyridon, I am really happy to say that your videos have been apart of my salvation. God leads me to your videos at the perfect time and sometimes you upload a video (like this one) as soon as I ask God for help with my struggles. Truly, He is speaking to me and to all of us. God bless you, Father. I pray that you continue to spread these words of wisdom from Saints and the Lord himself. Stay safe and please pray for me!
Very timely for me. I’ve been dealing with this very struggle for the last few months(all my life but now especially) I’ve hurt a woman i love very much because I haven’t been unable to commit to her after we broke up as a couple. I love her very much but question the feelings of passion which burn intensely when I’m with her. Thanks Fr. May God forgive us our sins and fortify us to become true Christians in thought, deed and action.
i was feeling lustful, realizing this i started to try and talk to our father then i wanted to hear the word and the very first video that popped up was this one, thanks to god for everything, may god bless us all ❤
Hello there.. Something like this needs a practical method to be free.. It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying.. What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..? If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from.. Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean.. What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things? Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people? Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation.. Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt. Above all.. Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel.. Be intentional about getting free.. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Many think the sensations start in the flesh, but when they manifest in the flesh, they have long ago consumed the mind already. Guard your mind, your thoughts.
To the 14 people who gave this a thumbs down, l will pray for you. Know this, demons are hard at work convincing you that Your desires for lust and mutual pleasure is normal and natural. Pray, stand firm and learn from the saints who were severely tempted by feelings of lust; we're talking your soul here.
I’ve always hated flogging my dolphin, growing up I’ve was so distressed and lack understanding on why it was wrong but I knew it was. In schools they teach that chocking your chicken is natural and okay so that wasn’t helpful and church no one ever talked about it other than avoid pornography which is a good start, as I got older I became more an annoyance and a inconvenience. One minute I’m thinking in my right mind than suddenly I’m thinking about that nasty stuff. Though I’ve learned strategies for combating these thoughts and desires. Mainly avoiding social media and movies. I still give in from time to time but by the grace of God it has been less frequent as time goes on, still it’s so frustrating when it happens because you can’t just switch it off and you just have to get it over and done with just to get it out of the system, crude as it sounds I know. Thing is other men suffer the same. I remember reading somewhere that Nicolas Tesla hated it because he thought the time he spent thinking and dwelling on those things was better spent on his inventions.
Wonderful teaching! So much was said & covered & due to past 'homilies' I was able to attach sayings of Saints Fr Spyridon had previously mentioned. Added so much emphasis & power to this talk. Gifted thanks lots...🙏🏽💯🤍
Thank you, Father, for a very timely video. I have been a porn addict for 15 years, and I'm not even 30 yet. I still give in to the temptation often, but since being baptized, and Confessing and Communing regularly, I have made more progress in the fight in a few months than I had in the previous few years.
Some wounds are more than emotional or psychological. The spiritual damage sin can do to us may go very deep and require more time to heal. But don't lose hope. So long as you keep getting back up, keep struggling, and seeking God's grace you should have confidence that God is healing you.
I have come to this video wayyy to many tines by now. But then again it's the amount of time God has allowed, I just hope he won't allow me to sin again.
Father, your suggestion to seek out those we are angry with is a great solution. From childhood trauma, I have internalized anger, turned it on myself. Lust, the little death or as Freud says the relationship between death and lust, self destruction. I want my Crown. Amen. Thank you for posting this subject. Years ago I could only find information from the likes of the Puritans Thomas Manton & Thomas Brooks " A beautiful Harlot sitting in her Chariot" I did find another video that suggested I prayed every time I had lustful thoughts for a person, to do this for 30 days. This started a journey of several years of being in a committed relationship. I was free of the promiscuity projected onto to me by unhealthy half siblings in my formative years, a feeling of being dirty that I had acted out in a role I had played to suit their narrative, not mine. I often think of the story of "Job", and am encouraged further when I hear the Lambs in the background of your videos.
Everything said in this video is true, frighteningly true. This is a soul crushing sin. May God have mercy on us and forgive us. I cannot understand why or how He would forgive a complete worthless wretch like me, He is simply beyond my rational understanding as I am finite.
_"Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?"_ (Matt. 20:15). The Lord is All-Merciful and Loving and Just God. In His justice, He wants to remove and destroy what is lawless (that is: our sins) but in His love He wants to cleanse us and purify us and renew us and heal our infirmities, so that we don't need to be destroyed with (and by) our sins. God loves us unconditionally because we are His creations, His beloved prodigal sons and daughters. He does not merely see us as criminals but as the sick who need the Doctor; He sees our beauty as the image of God and our potentiality for good if we abide in Him and grow in His likeness day by day.
What a refreshing far more balanced perspective on how desire can downgrade into lust than what some stuffy old secular professors and sometimes doctors too tend to offer those asking them for help Father Spyridon.
It is a struggle for me, I am really sick of the Westernized world. I have more testosterone than average and don't believe I am called to be single, just that God has not brought me the right woman...sometimes the battle ebbs in my favour, sometimes not..sex and sexual morals gave been corrupted in today's world, it disgusts me..This kind if talk rarely is discussed in the modern American "churches." I would like to go attend and Orthodox church one day.
8:05pm: Crazy lustful thoughts. 8:06pm: Praying for forgiveness and help. 8:07pm: Attempt to distract myself w TH-cam... this was literally the first video that came up... I have no words. 🤯🙏🏻☦️
Thanks be to God.
Divine reinforcements have arrived!
Just want to share that such a phenomenon happens to me very often. Not necessarily pertaining to Lust temptations ( although it did and still do ) but pertaining to a plethora of other subjects. I could wake up one morning, after a having gone to bed with an idea on a subject in relation with my spiritual growth, and sure enough, something so pertinent will pop up from google, or a book from my bookshelf will be there for me to grab. It's just amazing how the universe will bring moments of awe .
Read 3 sub chapters a day from gospel of John and it will help. God bless
@@FatherSpyridonROCOR
I've recently discovered you, I try to listen once daily, you bring me peace. Thank you for being here
Internet pornography has a stranglehold on my soul. I will keep fighting though.
Other than praying, you could use the BlockSite App. Just as Father Spyridon said: We must destroy the passions within us. If you are unable to enter this sites, you have no other choice than praying to God ;-)
You can overcome with Christ. It's possible. You will succeed!!
getting Freud off as your avi would be a good start
Bolshevik atheists invented the feminist movement and later after the porn industry etc. for the moral erosion of social structure. Still, the moral society struggles so hard to end this sickness for the soul. The enemy is multidimensional. Governments play a dark role. Rotten puppets doing their work so good. Let's do our lightwork more better! God bless 🙏
It's just as easy to search for sermons as it is to search for pornography. Except one fills your soul, while the other destroys it. Think twice before using pornography.
Think of how you look when watching pornography too. It looks pathetic. You're literally watching others fornicate and all you do is end up, well, destroying yourself.
A note on a practical approach: I recently took somewhat literally the idea to pluck out your eye if it causes you to sin. Being near-sighted, I simply take off my glasses when in a crowded area where people wear anything and everything. People become a blur, my mind is not pulled out into the shapes!
Hahahaha wow... I'm near-sighted too... thanks for reminding me of this great tip! God bless!
How great is our God, that when something is perceived by the world as only a pain, it can be instead used for God's glory!
Wow. Thank you for this. Encouraged that men like this exist.
Lots of ways to “pluck out your eye”
Limit what you watch on TV, if at all
Watch where you go
Watch who you are with
Simply focus your eyes in another direction
Be a monk, lol
As a priest and spiritual father I will.pass on this good advice.
I found the Jesus Prayer, consistently, continually, with no stop, until the feeling leaves, really has helped me very much - I keep a prayer rope always with me these days, Father.
The Jesus Prayer was, and is, indispensable for me also. ❤️🙏
I cannot remember which early Church Father said this, but seek what men avoid and avoid what men seek...Thank you for your wisdom Fr. Spyridon.
Wow thats a beautiful saying. Thanks
That’s great thank you for that
It is as if this video was made for me, especially at this time where I am at my worst. I have been suffering with this since I hit puberty and I've tried to stop many times since. Thank you Fr Spyridon and continue to pray for us who struggle with this sin ☦️
Seek the intercessions of St, Mary of Egypt. She is a mighty advocate in the struggle against carnal passions. She has not failed me despite my many failures. God's peace.
@Oboroth *sister. God bless you as well ☦️
@@jp2861 thank you for your advise as I've also have been neglecting my prayer life, I hope she intercedes for us who are struggling. God bless.
It's the same for me. I am in my late 20s and I have been a porn addict for 15 years. By God's grace, after being baptized into the Orthodox Church, I am finally making progress in fighting it.
St. Gregory writes that Eve sinned and "came to death" because she allowed desire to enter her soul through the "windows" of her eyes. He warns the faithful to be careful that we not even look on what is forbidden. "If I defile my mind in thought, I can never be the inheritance of Him who is the Author of purity." See Matthew 5:27, 28; 1Peter 1:13
So interesting how the devil wanted me to think that I was alone in my sin... turns out this video is one of the more popular ones.
I struggle big time with lust and masturbation. I fail, I pick myself back up and move forward in Christ. It's a tough one for me, but the hope always lies in Christ
May the LORD comfort you in your affliction... LORD quench our hearts - so prone to drink from poisoned wells... Give us living water - fill up our hearts with treasure in Heaven... Let our eyes see what we cannot perceive - due to all these tempting distractions. You know what we need... We open our hands and look to you... The best gifts come from you. Thank you. In Jesus Name we ask @@paulthompson4332
Not even one of us is free from lust and fornication. Battle will go on till the grave as orthodox fathers teach us ❤️
The passion that I struggle with the most.
just know ur not alone mate,one of the hardest bloody sins to abstain from if your a full blooded male
St Mary of Egypt pray for us! You are not alone!
@@cS-tk2qu Thank you and bless you!
Me too brother. May the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and save us.
@@xAzureXHazex Amen
Struggling with anger and revenge. It burns me.
I keep trying to tell myself that to desire revenge is to directly question God's judgement. Who am I to decide that justice has to be done NOW, MY way? Who am I to think I even know what justice is? I think when we do that, we're saying that we don't trust God to "handle it" in whatever way He sees fit.
I am absolutely NO teacher and am not very wise or anything like that at all, I'm just giving you my thoughts as someone that also has similar feelings.
Forgiveness is the best form of revenge
"Vengeance is mine" says the Lord, God repays better than we ever could (this helps me with my anger, God Bless🙏)
@@sksteele1235 God bless your words
@@Alex-vs2sh beautiful thank you
Thank you for this message father. I too was exposed to pornography at a young age like so many others and have struggled with it well into my adult life and still continue to. I was raised Protestant and lately I am finding American churches lacking in any real spiritual depth. I knew nothing of Orthodoxy until I was looking into using a rosary and then came across Orthodox prayer ropes and your video on prayer without ceasing. You pack so much into your short little messages and you are truly a God send to so many of us who have not heard good teaching. Thank you and God bless you father Spyridon.
agree ive heard some pastors,bishops etc etc etc overtime babble on for an hour or so & yet still not get as much essence & meaning straight to the point as Mr Spyridon can in a few minutes or so
If it were only lust! Unfortunately there are so many issues attached to it!.. Emotions to which are attached to all the psychological aspects, the feeling of being wanted, loved, perhaps something that was lacking growing up.. fear of rejection, depression, anxiety etc etc, it point bk to seeking that fulfilment which is why many seek it out in “lust”
This is surely one of the great orations on lust given by any priest in our time
"Christ offers to share his victory, with,all of us,who struggle for him"
Ahmein.
Amen & Hallelujah! 🙏🏼☦️
So beautifully said.
Thank you Fr Syridon
Important video. I was “blessed”with lots of attention from woman as I grew into a young adult. Chasing woman and entering into brief shallow relationships at the moment feels validating. It took many years for me to realize the pain and hurt I was causing other people...I am lucky that I recently was able to walk away from that behaviour and lifestyle. I can assure other men here you that no matter how many woman you are with you will never find what you are think you are looking for and you will hurt people that you care about...Be better then I was. The woman in your lives deserve it.
@Eru Clusivus Happy to.
I’ve caused terrible pain to women in my past, and experienced terrible pain myself when I made lust and relations of the flesh my god. I try not to be consumed by it and I seek repentance, but the consequences of modern sexual liberation are just dreadful to think about at times
God Bless you🙏
Did you find the women you were to marry. Seeing advice for my son
@@demetrialoizou7255 Me? Yes, I am a happily married man now. Best thing to do is not lie about the past and just be honest that you want to work towards a more complete life with someone.
I needed this Father, thank you and God bless. ☦️
I learned about St. Mary of Egypt in my Orthodox Church. What a remarkable story of repentance and forgiveness.
She's my baptismal Saint!
This was beautiful, Father. Thank you. As one who "struggled" (meaning simply gave in and had no thought I could truly overcome) lust for most of my youth and adult life I was definitely given an extra measure of Grace when I actually turned to God for help. That was my first step into also finding the Orthodox Church and the fullness of Christ there in.
One thing that you mentioned here and that differs greatly from the Protestant world I grew up in is the truth that temptation is NOT sin. In deed our Lord was, Himself, tempted in all things. It is things such as The Jesus Prayer, asking for prayers of the Saints, such as Saint Mary of Egypt, and simply allowing myself to REALLY struggle through temptation, dashing the babies of my passions on the rocks, that has helped me to continue to overcome. Getting rid of our television, leaving Facebook and Instagram, and filling my mind and surrounding myself with Holy Icons and things that are pure - not to mention getting a job that is physically laborious - have all helped in my healing as well.
Thank you for this which I pray helps many others. By your prayers; Father bless.
Thanks a lot for this video, me and I I assume many others struggle with this at times, especially in the teens.
The fire by which we are refined is in the struggle. Amen!
And the cross that's forged by itJesus took upon himself amen
@@oceanwave4142 free will. God wants us to choose Him of our own free will. God bless you.
@@oceanwave4142 thus, free will.
@@oceanwave4142 your cooperation with His Grace is your free will. People are damned as they do not cooperate with His Grace. Jesus simply means the He is the source of all that is good. We must act on it.
@@oceanwave4142 no. We're going in circles. Get in a bible study group (Catholic) , pick up your cross, deny yourself daily, and follow Him; OR wallow in your pride and obstanance and reap your just payment. May God bless you.
Thank-you Fr. Spyridon. Having been exposed to the most detestable smut since I was extremely young, it has left a festering scar on my soul that I've only been seriously trying to fight since becoming an Orthodox Christian, over a decade later. I've failed and fallen flat on my face several dozen times trying to tear my mind and heart away from this awful mess of stimuli, and even now I am trying to make another attempt to fight this passion. Your prayers. Take heart brothers and sisters, God has given us the power to defeat this sin. Wisdom of Sirach 15:14-17
14
God, in the beginning, created human beings
and made them subject to their own free choice
15
If you choose, you can keep the commandments;
loyalty is doing the will of God.
16
Set before you are fire and water;
to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand.
17
Before everyone are life and death,
whichever they choose will be given them."
Yes, I too was exposed to pornography at a very young age and it has been a life-long struggle. Take heart and pray for me. I will pray for you. Through the intercessions of St. Mary of Egypt.
JP Thank-you! I shall keep you in mine also.
@Reee Monro My hope is that it will with prayer and repentance, God willing.
@Reee Monro I can't get angry bro, you're right. I'm a rather twisted person. As a young man in 2020 I've grown up in an age where we're given every opportunity to develop the most horrific vices, with scare few voices warning us to the contrary. The damage isn't undone in a day either. Thank-you, I wish you the best as well!
@Reee Monro and what are you? to slam this person down who is trying is not love, but the opposite...
I’m so guilty of this. It’s consuming. It’s become an escape to a life of depression, ptsd, and unemployment. I hate it. I don’t want any part of it. Please pray for me. The Lord Knows I’m trying. I need direction. Gracias, hermanos.
@SIMPSON Bart I’ve given up on the Lord. I can’t please Him.
@SIMPSON Bart I’ve already given up. I don’t want this life anymore. My mom’s funeral was today and I didn’t go. Jesus Hates me.
@SIMPSON Bart I don’t want a priest. I directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is too much for me. I’m done.
@SIMPSON Bart no. I’m a Born Again Christian.
You should go to liturgy if you can, Christ loves us more than we ever have deserved and when we sin it can be used by God to humble us and to realize how much more we need Him, don’t give up, there’s nothing you can do for God to reject you first
When evil thoughts come into my head during sleep or when I do the Jesus prayer, I make the sign of the cross on my forehead, eyes, lips, throat, and heart and I say "Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered! Let those who hate him flee from his face! In the name of the father and of the sun and the holy spirit"
One of the best and most succinct talks on this topic 💯
agreed 💯
Thanks! It's morning here, and it is a blessing waking up with your Word, comanded by God. Chastity is, indeed, one of the most hard virtues to access still on youth, but the Holy Spirit do has the power to help us in this struggle!
Lust as far as I can tell is my biggest sin and failing point. Thanks father Spyridon for this message. But most importantly thank God.
I've certainly noticed pride leading to lust
Father Spyridon you are a very holy man. I love your videos. Your are truly a prophet for our chaotic and evil times. God bless you always.
Anything holy or wise in these videos comes from the Church Fathers, not me. I am simply trying to share a little of the wisdom of the Orthodox Church. God bless you. +
“In the hour in which we are tempted we must be patient and pray. Temptation is a clever craftsman. He is able to make small things loom large. Temptation disquiets, saddens, and creates external battles. He knows many arts. He brings man to doubt. For this reason we have many shipwrecks. When we are beset by temptation that’s when the grace of God comes. When one undergoes temptation, he recognizes his weakness, is humbled and attracts the grace of God. Don’t let the winds of temptation affect you. They can’t do you any harm.”
- Elder Amphilochios
Prayer and work helps..... Constantly occupy yourself with work..... Have a consistent schedule everyday......... Exercise..... Make sure your body is very tired...... Fasting helps, no meat, cut a meal a day............. Ask for prayers of fellow Orthodox Christians........ Tell your spiritual father your struggles..... Confess....... Participate in Holy Mysteries..........
This couldn't have come at a better time!
Thank you for this dear Father Spirydon. I needed it. I am struggling with lust since young age.
@Marina Svletlana I am 38 now...the roots of that sin are hard to be eradicated from me. I only need God to help me. I have to be humble and pray more and to make strict fasts.
Metoo.
Say the Jesus Prayer over and over until the urge goes away. Keep a prayer rope near you always. This has helped me
@@itoldyouso6622 thank you. I never thought about this . Because I'm scared to do it without being Orthodox. Churches are closed.
definitely a hard one.... staying in daily repentance and sanctification not to mention denying the flesh will aid immensely in combating these unseen spiritual forces DEMONS
Just fell. But i will get up again and struggle. Thank you for the video Father. Kyrie Eleison
Hello there..
Something like this needs a practical method to be free..
It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying..
What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..?
If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from..
Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean..
What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things?
Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people?
Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation..
Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt.
Above all..
Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel..
Be intentional about getting free..
Remember
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
Great advice Father Spyridon. Many thanks from a Catholic who follows your channel since a long time in search of wisdom.
Father Spyridon, I have great news! My prayers have been answered, and I have been set free from the passion of lust (and especially masturbation, which was my primary outlet for these urges). I have had this vice from about the age of twelve or so (I am 20 this summer). Thank you for this channel where you share the wisdom of God. I thank God that I have found your channel and I thank Him for healing me of this terrible passion, which had shackled me to this world for so long.
Thank you Father Spyridon! I have added St. Maria of Egypt into my prayers for a week or so now, to help with this, and now this video comes at the perfect time! It feels like some confirmation from the Holy Spirit, please pray for me Father!
Thank you very much for this Father Spyridon. This passion of sin is always a devil of an issue to deal with for alot of people, especially for myself. It's never easy to deal with personal vices or sins and even the line in desiring a spouse at times can be easily tripped between what you want and what you need intermingling between the two. I'd definitely love to hear more on this subject matter and while i generally do listen to your things in the background most days, i do miss the body language you use in your usual videos when you preach about something.
Thank you again, Spyridon. In a time where I left the church years ago because I stopped hearing the word in the sermons i was at, it's been difficult to convince myself to go back to a community of faith and nurture the Holy Spirit. With you, I definitely hear the Spirit in what you preach.
Sincerely,
Vinyltavia.
Thanks to you, Father Spyridon, and to our Heavenly Father for this wisdom and advice. I am reminded again not to lose hope.
This is a big struggle for me, especially with the whole social media thing and it being so easy to slip up. It's like trying to quit a drug addiction with a table full of drugs right in front of you all the time. It wears on my conscience too, every time I slip up I get anxiety, and I feel like God is going to punish me, I start watching my back and get scared. I'm so fucked.
Same here.
U only touch pee pee for showers and going bathroom
Lol
Get rid of internet lol
That might help
Im getting to that point
Fasting
More mass
Etc
Rely on god
More mass more fasting
Stay away from internet till ur cured
Pray rosary at night
Go sleep
Wear 2 jogging pants lol
Cold showers
Take care
Look at how better ur doing aim for 0
Hello there..
Something like this needs a practical method to be free..
It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying..
What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..?
If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from..
Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean..
What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things?
Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people?
Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation..
Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt.
Above all..
Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel..
Be intentional about getting free..
Remember
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
@@tonysabell7737
Hello there..
Something like this needs a practical method to be free..
It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying..
What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..?
If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from..
Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean..
What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things?
Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people?
Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation..
Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt.
Above all..
Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel..
Be intentional about getting free..
Remember
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
Thank you, Father! This is a struggle of mine by the Lord’s grace I pray to overcome it🙏
Thank you Father Spyridon for your words of guidance !
Glory to God Fr. Spyridon. Thank you ☦️
I’m 66 years old and it’s still not easy. Sometimes I win, others I loose the battle
Lord Jesus Christ , Son of God , have mercy on me , a sinner.
Thank you for your words Father.
Thank you, Father, for this profound teaching. God bless you.
Thank you so very much for the message.
Thank you Father Spyridon. Your ministry is a great service.
Before my journey to Christ I was a terrible hedonist and lust is my biggest struggle. Since adopting the Christian worldview it’s as if I am now able to see the cult of fornication that grips the world
I share the same story
Same.
Thank you Father, God has clearly blessed you with wisdom of both body and soul. Keep doing our lords will.
Father Spyridon, I am really happy to say that your videos have been apart of my salvation. God leads me to your videos at the perfect time and sometimes you upload a video (like this one) as soon as I ask God for help with my struggles. Truly, He is speaking to me and to all of us. God bless you, Father. I pray that you continue to spread these words of wisdom from Saints and the Lord himself. Stay safe and please pray for me!
Father, so encouraging......Lord help me to struggle and gain the crown!
Very good message. It's always good to remember that the struggle of all things is necessary.
Very timely for me. I’ve been dealing with this very struggle for the last few months(all my life but now especially) I’ve hurt a woman i love very much because I haven’t been unable to commit to her after we broke up as a couple. I love her very much but question the feelings of passion which burn intensely when I’m with her. Thanks Fr. May God forgive us our sins and fortify us to become true Christians in thought, deed and action.
i was feeling lustful, realizing this i started to try and talk to our father then i wanted to hear the word and the very first video that popped up was this one, thanks to god for everything, may god bless us all ❤
Hello there..
Something like this needs a practical method to be free..
It's not just avout prayer alone, it's about what you do after praying..
What are the contents of the things you see? Movies..? Browsing sites? Pictures..?
If this things are filthy or contains a touch of filth like immoral scenes, surely you'll be bound by the things you're trying to escape from..
Clear your phones from things like this, stay away from certain kind of movies that can stir up these things, watch what your eyes feeds on, instead spend more time reading your Bible and getting clean..
What of the places you go? Do you go to places where the people around you talk dirty things or do dirty things?
Do you have dirty kind of conversations with people?
Stop hanging out with those kind of people, stop being in places where you'll be tempted to listen to those kinds of conversation..
Rather, work time more around godly people that their words have been seasoned with salt.
Above all..
Have a good relationship with God which comes from having to hear God daily from your Bible and people that preached the true gospel..
Be intentional about getting free..
Remember
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
Many think the sensations start in the flesh, but when they manifest in the flesh, they have long ago consumed the mind already. Guard your mind, your thoughts.
Blessed advice, father Spyridon, the blessings of Christ upon you.
As if on order--thank you for this tremendously helpful video Father Spyridon!
Thank you Father I really needed to hear this message.
Thank you father for this, i needed to hear this today. Pray for me !
Thank you for your words of wisdom. God bless you.
Very well said, Father. May God bless you and keep you well.
Your blessing, on an unworthy servant of Christ.
To the 14 people who gave this a thumbs down, l will pray for you. Know this, demons are hard at work convincing you that Your desires for lust and mutual pleasure is normal and natural. Pray, stand firm and learn from the saints who were severely tempted by feelings of lust; we're talking your soul here.
I’ve always hated flogging my dolphin, growing up I’ve was so distressed and lack understanding on why it was wrong but I knew it was. In schools they teach that chocking your chicken is natural and okay so that wasn’t helpful and church no one ever talked about it other than avoid pornography which is a good start, as I got older I became more an annoyance and a inconvenience. One minute I’m thinking in my right mind than suddenly I’m thinking about that nasty stuff. Though I’ve learned strategies for combating these thoughts and desires. Mainly avoiding social media and movies.
I still give in from time to time but by the grace of God it has been less frequent as time goes on, still it’s so frustrating when it happens because you can’t just switch it off and you just have to get it over and done with just to get it out of the system, crude as it sounds I know. Thing is other men suffer the same. I remember reading somewhere that Nicolas Tesla hated it because he thought the time he spent thinking and dwelling on those things was better spent on his inventions.
Amen, bless you Father 👏
Thanks Fr. Spyridon for all u do for us and the invaluable service to those of us struggling through the detritus and the things of this world
Wonderful teaching! So much was said & covered & due to past 'homilies' I was able to attach sayings of Saints Fr Spyridon had previously mentioned. Added so much emphasis & power to this talk. Gifted thanks lots...🙏🏽💯🤍
Thank you, Father, for a very timely video. I have been a porn addict for 15 years, and I'm not even 30 yet. I still give in to the temptation often, but since being baptized, and Confessing and Communing regularly, I have made more progress in the fight in a few months than I had in the previous few years.
Some wounds are more than emotional or psychological. The spiritual damage sin can do to us may go very deep and require more time to heal. But don't lose hope. So long as you keep getting back up, keep struggling, and seeking God's grace you should have confidence that God is healing you.
@@robinsteendam1311 can you share the verse about it?
I struggle with this thank you Father
Welcome father!mention me in your prayers!thank you for your video!
Thank you for sharing this truth; much needed...
This was beautiful and very enlightening. Thank you for the help.
Good wisdom here, especially on the location of lust within the soul as a passion, plus its relation to other passions like anger. It's all related.
very comforting and pastoral as well when Father Spyridon says it's the struggle that God looks upon with favor. Good is good and he loves us.
I have come to this video wayyy to many tines by now. But then again it's the amount of time God has allowed, I just hope he won't allow me to sin again.
Father, your suggestion to seek out those we are angry with is a great solution.
From childhood trauma, I have internalized anger, turned it on myself.
Lust, the little death or as Freud says the relationship between death and lust, self destruction.
I want my Crown. Amen.
Thank you for posting this subject. Years ago I could only find information from the likes of the Puritans Thomas Manton & Thomas Brooks " A beautiful Harlot sitting in her Chariot"
I did find another video that suggested I prayed every time I had lustful thoughts for a person, to do this for 30 days. This started a journey of several years of being in a committed relationship. I was free of the promiscuity projected onto to me by unhealthy half siblings in my formative years, a feeling of being dirty that I had acted out in a role I had played to suit their narrative, not mine.
I often think of the story of "Job", and am encouraged further when I hear the Lambs in the background of your videos.
Excellent. Congratulations from Brazil.
Very..very good video and message!
I really needed this, thank you!!!
the words of this holy man have , in a literal sense, changed my life. May God continue to bless and keep him.
Thank you Father☦️♥️
You're an amazing speaker, father👏
Thank you Fr.Spyridon for your guidance
Thank you, l needed this❤️
May Jesus of Nazareth be with you all. God Bless you and God keep you.
Everything said in this video is true, frighteningly true. This is a soul crushing sin. May God have mercy on us and forgive us. I cannot understand why or how He would forgive a complete worthless wretch like me, He is simply beyond my rational understanding as I am finite.
_"Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?"_ (Matt. 20:15). The Lord is All-Merciful and Loving and Just God. In His justice, He wants to remove and destroy what is lawless (that is: our sins) but in His love He wants to cleanse us and purify us and renew us and heal our infirmities, so that we don't need to be destroyed with (and by) our sins. God loves us unconditionally because we are His creations, His beloved prodigal sons and daughters. He does not merely see us as criminals but as the sick who need the Doctor; He sees our beauty as the image of God and our potentiality for good if we abide in Him and grow in His likeness day by day.
I've been a Protestant my whole life, yet I am very grateful that I found Father Spyridon and wisdom God has given him.
Thanks be to God for this message
I love the bells, they scare away the demons 😊
Father i am glad to hear true teachings of the church: i am a Syrian catholic
Thank you Father.
Thank you, Father.
I'm working my way backward through your videos, one each day. They all seem to reach me at the perfect time.
What a refreshing far more balanced perspective on how desire can downgrade into lust than what some stuffy old secular professors and sometimes doctors too tend to offer those asking them for help Father Spyridon.
Thank you, Father Spyridon.
It is a struggle for me, I am really sick of the Westernized world. I have more testosterone than average and don't believe I am called to be single, just that God has not brought me the right woman...sometimes the battle ebbs in my favour, sometimes not..sex and sexual morals gave been corrupted in today's world, it disgusts me..This kind if talk rarely is discussed in the modern American "churches." I would like to go attend and Orthodox church one day.
Great video thanks.
thank you so much this helped me a lot... god bless
Thank you for the video Fr. Pray for me .
So blessed Father
Thank you father.
God be with you father.
Thank you Fr. spyridon