Are all material desires sinful?

[stewiegriffin]

I personally believe that not all material desires are sinful in nature. Some of them are morally neutral. For instance, how does a desire to buy a new phone harm anyone? Or how does a desire to raise my standard of living harm anyone ( I obviously won’t, being a believer use evil means to fulfil it). But the bible says that materialistic things can only satisfy our flesh’s desires not spirit’s. Does that mean I should stop dreaming at all? This is something that as been haunting me for weeks. Need help

 

[Zynxensar]

I personally believe that not all material desires are sinful in nature.

You are correct.

But the bible says that materialistic things can only satisfy our flesh’s desires not spirit’s.

That doesn’t mean it’s sinful or evil. Only becomes sinful in certain scenarios. For example, if it evolves into greed e.g squandering college funds for video game credits.

’

 

[stewiegriffin]

Yeah but one of my friend said that these neutral desires are too sinful. He has a belief that what doesn’t please god, pleases satan.

 

[Zynxensar]

Who says that you can’t use materialistic things to please God? God created the Earth for us to enjoy; having materialistic desires within reason is natural and good even.

 

[o_mlly]

I personally believe that not all material desires are sinful in nature. Some of them are morally neutral. For instance, how does a desire to buy a new phone harm anyone? Or how does a desire to raise my standard of living harm anyone ( I obviously won’t, being a believer use evil means to fulfil it). But the bible says that materialistic things can only satisfy our flesh’s desires not spirit’s. Does that mean I should stop dreaming at all? This is something that as been haunting me for weeks. Need help

Desires or passions are not willed and so in themselves are neither evil nor good. If we do not dismiss a passion and are moved us to act upon it then the passion (which always precedes the act) takes on the same moral character as the act. Passions are morally good when they contribute to a good action, evil in the opposite case.

Like passions, dreams are not willed and so in themselves are neither evil nor good.

 

[stewiegriffin]

Exactly @Zynxensar That’s what my instinct was telling me. He even considers worldly songs and movies to be satanic. (by worldly I mean non-religious).

He also told me that bible only teaches us to sing only religious songs by judgmentally quoting Ephesians 5:19. and I was like, ‘what the heaven’?

throughout the bible there are instances of songs being sung not only for praising the LORD but also for celebration and entertainment. (1 Sameul 18:6-7, Luke 15:25) and many more.

I think all what he’s doing is brainwash

 

[stewiegriffin]

I agree @o_mlly. We dont have control over our desires. But it is we who choose to act or not act upon them.

 

[Lee1]

Why don’t you speak to a priest about it?

We are supposed to develop our spirits in this life, material anything just gives us a means by which we can train ourselves to deny transient material things.

We need a certain amount of material stuff to survive from day to day, so we can’t deny ourselves everything, not every comfort like a bed and warm clothes.

We need to pay Caesar what is due to Caesar, whilst we live as materiel in a material world we must pay regard to some material things at least.

 

[Zynxensar]

That’s over the top thinking. Most worldly movies and music aren’t satanic. Even Priests like Fr Roderick are huge fans of Star Wars.

 

[Vico]

I personally believe that not all material desires are sinful in nature. …

Catechism

1809 Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart."72 Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites."73 In the New Testament it is called “moderation” or “sobriety.” We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."74

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul and with all one’s efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).75

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a7.htm

 

[metanoia1]

We certainly have control over our desires by choosing to act or not act upon them.

 

[westie]

Why don’t you speak to a priest about it?

or God himself? Prayer is a conversation. Sometimes we see it as one way, but if we take time to listen go God, we can hear the answers to what we ask Him.

 

[ZMystiCat]

Yeah but one of my friend said that these neutral desires are too sinful. He has a belief that what doesn’t please god, pleases satan.

Who is to say that things that bring certain material good aren’t God’s desire for certain people? Maybe He wants them to serve in that capacity at that moment in their lives. This isn’t to say that God wants us to be wealthy, and He certainly doesn’t desire that as the end goal. However, He might want us in places that bring some material wealth.