How many broken or severely damaged marriages result from lustful behavior? Lust is one of the seven deadly sins for a reason.

“Lust is a disordered desire for or an inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2351)

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The media and the general culture today promote promiscuity, sex without responsibility, and immodesty. Without realizing it, we can all be sucked into this trap of lustful desires and actions. Innocent children and spouses suffer so much when there is a pornographic addiction by a parent, or any habit of marital infidelity.

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The damage is severe and lasting, and therapy can only do so much. I hope these tips will be helpful in making your marriage strong, healthy and enduring until the very end.

1: Pray daily. Fortify your soul with the grace of God. This is not a “white knuckle” effort and will power alone simply won’t suffice.

2: Guard your media and Internet behavior. Your spouse should have total access to your cellphone, computer and all of your social media sites and Internet history. This will keep you honest and build trust. “Covenant Eyes” is a very helpful resource for the entire family.

When tempted in this area, think of a good intention for which you can offer it up, perhaps a loved one in need or a sibling, son or daughter who may need extra graces. Go to where you need to go on the Internet and then get out! Take special care with images on video games, and content in movies and TV shows with inappropriate material. These have a huge psychological impact in creating disordered desires.

Related: Healthy and Holy Marriages

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Also, avoid looking up past boyfriends or girlfriends on Facebook, and in general, avoid having special “friendships” with the opposite sex, unless of course your spouse is totally on board with it.

3: Control your eyes. For men in particular, when associating with women, look into their eyes or face without getting distracted in other areas. Personally, it helps me to see and treat other women as I would my own sister.

4: Control your imagination. The devil is always stirring the pot and our thoughts need to be checked at the door. These are the inner battles of the soul that mean so much to God and truly forge our character.

5: Choose your friends well. A friend is someone who should inspire you with his or her example and not bring you down to a savage level of living. If your social friends are continually complaining about their spouses, or even engaging in adulterous behavior, this probably will come back to bite you as well.

Related: Faithful Friendships

6: Be smart about business trips. Avoid traveling on the same plane, staying in the same hotel, or sharing a meal or drink with those associates with whom you may have an unhealthy emotional attachment or a physical attraction. Always include a third party if possible.

Also, never to go to the hotel bar for dinner or drinks alone. Never have a “meeting” in a bedroom with a member of the opposite sex. Always secure an office or conference room. Keep a busy, focused schedule, calling your spouse every evening, and trying to incorporate prayer and exercise into your free time. Daily physical exercise is very helpful in releasing stress and unleashing healthy endorphins.

7: Practice small acts of self-denial. Eat less of the food you like, and more of what you do not like. Use temperance and self-control in drinking alcohol. Be especially kind to those who are disagreeable to you. By controlling your passions in these areas, you will naturally form strong habits of self-control in your purity as well.

8: Have an attitude of selflessness. Be so focused on serving those around you that you do not have time for impure thoughts or actions. Lust is simply an expression of selfish and self-seeking behavior.

Related: Tips for Parenting Your Teens

9: Think of your children. Your kids can perceive your authenticity when they look into your eyes. Think of them when it gets tough. They need this example!

10. Stay close to God. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” Intimacy with God is only possible for the pure of heart. There is nothing worse than feeling divided and far from God. Give your neediness to God so you can give your unconditional love to others.

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC, is a Catholic priest who is the New York chaplain of the Lumen Institute, an association of business and cultural leaders.