“And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Luke 18:38-9)
1. Admit to Our Lord Jesus Christ and to yourself that you have a problem; say it out loud: go for a walk, shut the door, sit in your car – just tell Jesus that you cannot stop watching porn and you don’t know what to do.
“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.”(I Cor. 2:3)
2. Pray: kneel down; nothing fancy – start with an act of humiliation (asking the Lord for help;) tell Him all that you are thinking, no matter how embarrassing or shameful; ask for His guidance, and Praise Him for hearing your prayers.
“Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.” (James 5:14-6)
3. Go to Confession: (if you are a Catholic) go to the next available Confession time at your local parish, or better yet – make a private appointment to speak with a priest. If it’s been awhile, take time to meditate on the past: recall your former sins, if necessary, write them down, do not dwell on any particular sin, merely recall them, confess them, and move on.
“And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.”(Mark 26:26-8)
4. Return to Mass; preferably every Sunday and all Holy Days; if you are lax here, the probability of continued porn attachment is very high.
“And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.” (Matt 18:9)
5. Remove the source of temptation: if it’s the computer, or other handheld internet accessible devices, remove the computer from the home or move it into a public space of the house – out of the private office or bedroom; remove internet capability from phones and other devices; if you live alone – only have internet access at work and remove all home and private access.
“But this kind [demonic spirit] is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.”(Matt 17:21)
6. Fast: Start out by perhaps excluding all snacks from your daily diet, then – try missing a meal, maybe lunch. The hunger pains will soon overshadow the pangs of lust; also, offer up the discomfort of fasting for your own purification, in reparation for past sins, and for the conversion of sinners.
“Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.” (Matt 11:28-9)
7. Spiritual reading: In your spare time, instead of watching television, of course – instead of surfing the internet, read a good spiritual book (lives of the Saints, Bible commentaries, classic works from the Church Doctors;) this will occupy your mind as well as feed your soul.