Struggling with Lust and Pornography Addiction Again
Lust, while broadly referring to any strong desire, is specifically associated in Christian thought with sexual uncleanness when no other object is specified [2]. Thomas Aquinas defines the sin of lust as seeking venereal pleasure in a manner not aligned with right reason [1]. This can occur either through the inappropriate matter in which pleasure is sought or by failing to observe due circumstances, even when the matter itself is appropriate [1].
Augustine of Hippo frequently addresses lust, noting its pervasive nature. He describes how this "lustful excitement of the organs of generation" takes hold of the entire body and mind, blending mental emotion with bodily appetite [2]. He also connects lust to other forms of desire, such as the "concupiscence of the flesh" that seeks gratification through all senses and pleasures [5]. Augustine further observes that gluttony and lust are often intertwined, as seen in Tertullian's critique of those who are "enthralled to voluptuousness alone" and "bursting with gluttony" [3].
The struggle against lust is a recurring theme in patristic writings. Augustine, for instance, speaks of carnal pleasure rebelling against right inclination, dragging individuals into captivity through the habit of sinning [4]. He also recounts his own struggles, fighting against the sweetness of necessity (like eating and drinking) lest he become enthralled by it [6]. This internal conflict highlights the difficulty of resisting desires that, while sometimes natural, can become sinful when pursued outside of God's design. The biblical anchor for much of this understanding comes from Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:28, where he states that "everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart" [4]. This emphasizes that the sin of lust begins in the heart and mind, not merely in outward actions.
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- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Parts of Lust, Art. 1: Article: Whether six species are fittingly assigned to lust? I answer that As stated above (Question [153], Article [3]), the sin of lust consists in seeking venereal pleasure not in accordance with right reason. This may happen in two ways. First, in respect of the matter wherein this pleasure is sought; secondly, when, whereas there is due matter, other due circumstances are not observed. And since a circumstance, as such, does not specify a moral act, whose species is derived from its”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 16.--OF THE EVIL OF LUST,--A WORD WHICH, THOUGH APPLICABLE TO MANY VICES, IS SPECIALLY APPROPRIATED TO SEXUAL UNCLEANNESS: Although, therefore, lust may have many objects, yet when no object is specified, the word lust usually suggests to the mind the lustful excitement of the organs of generation. And this lust not only takes possession of the whole body and outward members, but also makes itself felt within, and moves the whole man with a passion in which mental emotion is mingled with bodily appetite, so that the pleasure whic”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. I.--CONNECTION OF GLUTTONY AND LUST. GROUNDS OF PSYCHICAL OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE MONTANISTS. (part 1): I Should wonder at the Psychics, if they were enthralled to voluptuousness alone, which leads them to repeated marriages, if they were not likewise bursting with gluttony, which leads them to hate fasts. Lust without voracity would certainly be considered a monstrous phenomenon; since these two are so united and concrete, that, had there been any possibility of disjoining them, the pudenda would not have been affixed to the b”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XII.--33. "Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery wi (part 3): it is ruled, and prostituting itself for the base pleasure of the lower nature as its reward (so to speak), is thereby corrupted? And therefore let every one who feels carnal pleasure rebelling against right inclination in his own case through the habit of sinning, by whose unsubdued violence he is dragged into captivity, recall to mind”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XXXV.--ANOTHER KIND OF TEMPTATION IS CURIOSITY, WHICH IS STIMULATED BY THE LUST OF THE EYES. (part 1): 54. In addition to this there is another form of temptation, more complex in its peril. For besides that concupiscence of the flesh which lieth in the gratification of all senses and pleasures, wherein its slaves who "are far from Thee perish,"14 there pertaineth to the soul, through the same senses of the body, a certain vain and curious longing, cloaked under the name of knowledge and learning, not of having pleasure in the flesh, but of”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XXXI.--ABOUT TO SPEAK OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE LUST OF THE FLESH, HE FIRST (part 1): COMPLAINSOF THE LUST OF EATING AND DRINKING. 43. There is another evil of the day that I would were "sufficient" unto it.' For by eating and drinking we repair the daily decays of the body, until Thou destroyest both food and stomach, when Thou shall destroy my want with an amazing satiety, and shalt clothe this corruptible with an eternal incorruption.7 But now is necessity sweet unto me, and against this sweetness do I fight, lest I be enthralled; and I ”