Confession... when?

[Zahmir]

As of right now, I am as pure as can be. However, I can see myself struggling more and more with women who don’t really care about how they portray themselves.

Granted, I always look away and make a point not to even look at them again. However, whereas right after confession I don’t even have to struggle, right now, I’m making a conscious effort.

Can I go to Confession for this just to receive graces? What do I say? I’m struggling with lust? Is that all?

 

[zorrox]

Yes you can go to confession out of devotion even if you are not conscious of mortal sin.

But I think sexual fantasizing is considered mortal sin of the mind.

 

[BeeSweet]

For it to be a mortal sin though, the thoughts have to be willful.

Mother Theresa went to daily confession I think. If she can find something to confess, I think all of us can!

Pray beforehand that you will make a good confession. The Holy Spirit will guide you.

 

[decn2b]

A mortal sin is

Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner

Impure thoughts usually pop into our head. So if we squash them you a likely OK. Unless you are someone who like intends to cook up some impure thoughts. And dwell on them. But to me that is just plain weird.

 

[ichabode]

As my momma always said “No one can make you do anything”, and no one can make you sin.

A friend on mine once remarked that when girls wake up in the morning they actually put on less clothes to go outside. You will not be able to stop all people from sinning being it their lack of modesty, stealing, lying, or you choose the sin. Learn what it means to have custody of the eyes. Try and look upon everyone as the creation from God that they are. And have ejaculatory prayers at the ready like: “Jeus untwist these thoughts from my mind” or “Mama Mary I love you keep me close to you today”.

Oh, going to confession is always a efficacious for ones soul. The priest may see that you are trouble in other ways, and I would take his advice. You might also consider a counselor who is trained in such areas.

I pray for your journey through lifes’ immodesties.

 

[Ham1]

Remember frequent confession is good. There is no requirement that you commit a mortal sin before going. There is nothing wrong with making a confession of small venial sins and telling the priest about your areas of struggle.

 

[baltobetsy]

Yes, absolutely go to confession to obtain grace for your struggle. But be aware that the sacrament needs some real sin in order to be effective - your sin is the matter necessary for the sacrament. So, if you are not aware of having committed any sins at all, mortal or venial, you should mention your struggles with purity and then say something like, “I am sorry for all the sins of my past life, especially _________.” Then there will be something for the grace of the sacrament to work on. Otherwise, you’d just have a counseling session. Go for it!

Betsy

 

[palmas85]

As of right now, I am as pure as can be. However, I can see myself struggling more and more with women who don’t really care about how they portray themselves.

Granted, I always look away and make a point not to even look at them again. However, whereas right after confession I don’t even have to struggle, right now, I’m making a conscious effort.

Can I go to Confession for this just to receive graces? What do I say? I’m struggling with lust? Is that all?

Pope John Paull II of blessed memory confessed once or twice a week for upwards of 20 minutes each time.

While I don’t doubt the sincerity of your belief in the purity of your self, I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that no one is as pure as they can be.

Are you ever rude to people, a bit testy perhaps or get mad over small things or even big things for that matter? Ever tell a small white lie to get out of doing something? Say something that wasn’t completely true to elicit sympathy from someone? Have your mind drift off during prayers or at Mass? Ever cheated on a test at school? Talked badly about someone behind their back?

All of these little things can and should be confessed. Not all the time as they can be forgiven through the Pentiential Rite and the Reception of Holy Communion, but when you have no mortal sins, it is acceptable and encouraged to confess these sins and yes they are sins. By doing so, you actually build up your soul so that you are more able to resist temptations that lead to the larger class of sins.

And believe me you are talking to an expert here. Sin and I have historically been close companions, too close actually, so i make use of the confessional more than most I guess.

Best wishes ,

 

[Sir_Knight]

Remember frequent confession is good. There is no requirement that you commit a mortal sin before going. There is nothing wrong with making a confession of small venial sins and telling the priest about your areas of struggle.

What about if the priest yells at you to not waste his time … I had that happen once.