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Happy Halloween! Here’s something fun: Halloween is Catholic. And the biggest trap tonight isn’t the candy. The word comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” the night before All Saints’ Day on November 1. For centuries Catholics kept vigil the night before a major feast, and the costumes, candy and poking a little fun at the the devil. Link. We can poke fun at the evil one because Christ already conquered him. So enjoy it. Just remember the trap isn’t the candy. It’s what we let our eyes and minds do while we’re enjoying ourselves. “I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.” [Psalm 101:3] Out trick-or-treating, costume aisles, parties and some porch decorations get skimpy fast. Decide before you leave the house where your eyes go. Online, social media, the costume photo scroll is the real trap. One picture becomes twenty, then a search for more. Custody of the eyes doesn’t mean staring at your shoes all night. The first glance is on God. What you do with the second look is the choice- it's on you. Custody of the mind goes one step further: don’t entertain it or replay it later, either. Here’s how to make it work with all the photos and costumes people wear these days... Look at faces, not figures. Say “Lord, bless her” and move your eyes to something else. Stay off social media. Mute or unfollow anyone whose posts keep tripping you up. If you catch yourself looking longer than a second, that’s your cue to walk away or put the phone down. Be on guard for days to come and do not search it our or linger on it. And for the betrayed wife reading this: holidays can feel loaded when trust has been broken. You deserve a husband who plans ahead instead of hoping he’ll be fine. Halloween is a sneaky spot for guys to indulge. 2 Practical Tips: To Battle Lust: Bounce your eyes. When you notice something, look at the ground, say a quick Hail Mary or "I do not consent" and keep walking. Look people in the eyes, not their figure. Tonight, put the phone across the room and skip the costume photos entirely. To Help Your Wife Heal: Tell her your plan for the night, ask what would help her feel safe, then listen without defending. “Here’s my plan for tonight. Does that feel safe to you?” Candy, costumes, prayer and zero scrolling, saints. Deal? Join Inner Child + Beyond Group here. Remember, "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!" [Philippians 4:13] —Steve Join a FINALLY FREE! GROUP here. 🎙Listen to the Podcast: Catholics Fight Porn here. Sign up for a Daily 'Boost' TEXT for Motivation here. Book a 20-minute Intro Discovery Call here. Book a 1:1 Session w/Steve here. Read past Newsletters at the BLOG. Donate to CFP to support this work here. |
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The addict brain loves edging. It gets the hit without “technically” acting out. Edging is living on the edge of lust without crossing the line you’ve drawn. A lingering look. A scroll through “harmless” photos. Pictures that are "not porn." A fantasy replayed in your head. You tell yourself it doesn’t count because you didn’t go all the way. Your brain doesn’t care. It still gets the rush. “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has...
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