Sex, God, and Marriage

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, purity, modesty, and God’s grace are integral to the Christian life.

All of us know temptation, and all of us have given in to temptation. We have all failed at one time or another – in our relationships at work and at home, in our marriages, and in our personal lives.

To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife (1 Cor. 7:10–11).

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who mar­ries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Luke 16:18

know I will be tempted for the rest of my life, but I also know that there is always a way through. I can receive help beyond my own strength.

Many homosexuals have never known unconditional, accepting love from those of their own gender. In fatherless and abusive homes across our country, a void exists that is capable of inducing homosexual feelings in children. And in our culture, driven as it is by competition and the will to dominate, it is easy for some people to feel left out; they may turn to homosexual activity as a result.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9–10).

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Ephesians 5:8–12

hen that happens, find something to take your mind off it – get out of bed and take a walk, or do some household chore. Often a simple activity provides the best means to overcome these strong temptations.

I have counseled many young people who are enslaved by masturbation: they earnestly desire to be freed from their habit, but they fall into it again and again.