A quick thought. Is it a sin?

[OraProNobis]

OK, I saw something yesterday which made me have a sinful thought… just a thought… before I was able to banish it, undoubtly with the help of the Holy Spirit. :clapping:

I’ve heard that having a sinful thought is not a sin, but acting on the thought is.

I maybe fantasized about the sin for about five seconds before I caught myself. So did I sin or not? Should I go to confession for giving in for about five-seconds? :ehh:

 

[Ham1]

Probably not a mortal sin. Mention it in confession.

Did you entertain the thought after your conscience prompted you that it was not appropriate? Or were you daydreaming and then when your conscience kicked in, you acted to rid yourself of the thought? I would say the first instance might be a venial sin. And the second would likely be no sin at all.

Either way it’s worth mentioning in confession.

 

[hawkeye]

OraProNobis:

OK, I saw something yesterday which made me have a sinful thought… just a thought… before I was able to banish it, undoubtly with the help of the Holy Spirit. :clapping:

I’ve heard that having a sinful thought is not a sin, but acting on the thought is.

I maybe fantasized about the sin for about five seconds before I caught myself. So did I sin or not? Should I go to confession for giving in for about five-seconds? :ehh:

Jesus said it’s not what go into a person that makes them unclean, but what comes out of them.

 

[space_ghost]

CYA… mention in confession, if that’s your worst offense then i’m sure you will be ok…

 

[SwordofLight]

“Did you entertain the thoughts?”

answer: “No, the thoughts entertained me.”

 

[Buckeyejoe]

Don’t forget there are sins of omission and commission.

What’s this mean? An evil thought enters your mind, and you do not act upon it, Good. But how many charitable thoughts the Lord puts into our minds and we also refuse to act upon them. Those can be sins as well.

But don’t get too hung up on venial sins, just stay out of the mortal sins territory.

Thanks.

 

[Camp_Pueblano]

I agree that it would be best to bring it up in confession. Most likely the confessor will help you to understand the difference of your thoughts and whether scrupulosity is potentially at work here.

The most important thing is that you are willing to go to confession and search for the truth and understanding.

God Bless

 

[Anonymous]

“Did you entertain the thoughts?”

answer: “No, the thoughts entertained me.”

LOL, Sword~

But seriously, we are predisposed to sin. You acknowledged that your thoughts were sinful and turned to God. Congratulations! But to what degree did you sin? I mean, did you think about murdering someone or did you consider stealing a cookie? That might help determine if confession is needed (although confession can’t hurt IMHO.)

I have had some sinful thoughts of my own today especially after seeing Saddam’s face on a tv screen. Is there one among us who has not had a sinful thought today? I’d like to know.

 

[S_Corda]

I don’t know enough about the situation, but temptation (being tempted) is not a sin.

On the other hand,
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5:

27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.