Difference between lust and sexual desire?

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Lust is excessive sexual desire, right? But what about regular sexual desire? I prefer to not have any of these thoughts (even though I can easily dismiss these thoughts without hesitation, it’s best to be safe.)

I know there is a difference between lust and regular sexual desire, but when? Examples would help. Thank you.

(Oh and this has never been a problem for me. I’m just curious)
 
wworld said:
Lust is excessive sexual desire, right? But what about regular sexual desire? I prefer to not have any of these thoughts (even though I can easily dismiss these thoughts without hesitation, it’s best to be safe.)

I know there is a difference between lust and regular sexual desire, but when? Examples would help. Thank you.

(Oh and this has never been a problem for me. I’m just curious)
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Catechism

2351 Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes. vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P85.HTM

If one is consenting to lustful thoughts such as sexual thoughts about someone one ones spouse…that is lust.

If one finds a person “attractive” that is one thing …(and one still needs to take reasonable care)…but to have thoughts about having sexual relations etc that is lust. jimmyakin.org/2009/01/appreciating-beauty-vs-concupiscence.html

Sex (etc) is reserved for marriage.
 
There is nothing wrong with having sexual desire/attraction, provided it is for an appropriate person (one whom you are married to or otherwise betrothed). It is a natural human trait. One cannot, however, let that cross over to something that is disordered.

For example, a married couple might think about each other while apart and desire in their hearts to be together soon. A sexual desire can be a part of that without cause to concern about sin.

I am glad for you that this is never a problem. You might be the only one. 😉
 
prstoessel said:
There is nothing wrong with having sexual desire/attraction, provided it is for an appropriate person (one whom you are married to or otherwise betrothed). It is a natural human trait. One cannot, however, let that cross over to something that is disordered.
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Just to add a little clarification…one can not consent to sexual desires/thoughts for ones betrothed…of course one will look forward in a certain way to the marriage etc in a general chaste way…but one still needs to be chaste entirely (which is what I imagine was meant here or the like)
 
wworld said:
Lust is excessive sexual desire, right? But what about regular sexual desire? I prefer to not have any of these thoughts (even though I can easily dismiss these thoughts without hesitation, it’s best to be safe.)

I know there is a difference between lust and regular sexual desire, but when? Examples would help. Thank you.

(Oh and this has never been a problem for me. I’m just curious)
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I have been taught that lust is seeing the person as an object and a way to satisfy your own needs. Sexual desire is a natural response to your spouse that brings you together in the marital embrace. We need sexual desire to unite and make children.

Marriage is a complete giving up of yourself and your own personal needs to satisfy your spouse. If your spouse then also completely gives up of himself / herself it is totally, um, attractive and makes the activity pleasant.

Not to be contradictory to Bookcat, but I understand that sexual desire is acceptable if not expected.
 
So let me make sure I’ve got this.

If a couple was validly married under the Church, they can engage in the marital rite as long as it is out of love for eachother?
 
Bookcat said:
Just to add a little clarification…one can not consent to sexual desires/thoughts for ones betrothed…of course one will look forward in a certain way to the marriage etc in a general chaste way…but one still needs to be chaste entirely (which is what I imagine was meant here or the like)
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I did mean to imply that sexual desire or attraction is the same as sexual thoughts or fantasies. It is okay to be sexually attracted to the one you are bethrothed to. It is not okay to have visual thoughts of how that attraction might be carried out. Thanks for the clarification.
 
prstoessel said:
I did mean to imply that sexual desire or attraction is the same as sexual thoughts or fantasies. It is okay to be sexually attracted to the one you are bethrothed to. It is not okay to have visual thoughts of how that attraction might be carried out. Thanks for the clarification.
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Ugh! I did not mean to imply…
 
prstoessel said:
I did mean to imply that sexual desire or attraction is the same as sexual thoughts or fantasies. It is okay to be sexually attracted to the one you are bethrothed to. It is not okay to have visual thoughts of how that attraction might be carried out. Thanks for the clarification.
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I have confessed to this and the priest gave me a look like if you say so. He seemed to think there was nothing wrong with entertaining thoughts of the marital act.
 
fbl9 said:
I have confessed to this and the priest gave me a look like if you say so. He seemed to think there was nothing wrong with entertaining thoughts of the marital act.
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Well perhaps he misunderstood you…

For such is grave matter for mortal sin…
 
For such would be by definition “lust”…the gift of the martial act is …well for those who are married…so the unmarried should not be entertaining such
 
As far as I know,the definition for Lust is: excessive sexual desire(physically and mentally).

It is alright to feel sexual desire towards someone you love because God gave this feeling to us, but if it becomes the main reason you look at a person, you start a relationship, and/or you become addictive to it, then it becomes lust even if you are married.

Another example is food. We all love the taste of food. Taste of food is another gift that God gave us, but if we can not control our needs for food and start eating so much just for pleasure, then we sin. It is call Gluttony. God put flavor in food, so we can enjoy it while we eat to survive.

There are more but these are just a few examples. Everything that God gave us is good, they are gifts, but we should learn how to control our desires, not just sexual ones, but others too.
 
Theologically:

Catechism:

2351 Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.
 
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