Entertaining an Impure Thought or Not?

[frindro]

Hi everyone. I know that none of you know what happened inside my mind, but I’ll try to give a good idea of what happened since I’m not sure if this can be considered entertaining an impure thought.

Alright, so I was walking through a store, letting my mind wander, when I got thinking about A, which is something comedic and funny, and, while questionable in content since it is about B (which I will get to soon), was not sinful for me to think about. However, B is something very bad (of the adult content nature). Since I was thinking about A, I quickly moved on to B. An image of B then came into my head, and when I realized that the image of B was sinful (impure), I decided not the think about it.

Alright, so I willingly thought of A, which was not intrinsically wrong, but this brought me to B and the image in my head. So, do you think that I willingly entertained an image of B?

Unfortunately, after having that image, I’ve been so worried, that I keep bringing up the image to wonder if I actually did see anything. I doubt those occasions are mortal sin since its my scrupulosity kicking in and I’m very confused trying to figure out what to do, instead of simply desiring to see that image.

 

[Scoobyshme]

Hi everyone. I know that none of you know what happened inside my mind, but I’ll try to give a good idea of what happened since I’m not sure if this can be considered entertaining an impure thought.

Alright, so I was walking through a store, letting my mind wander, when I got thinking about A, which is something comedic and funny, and, while questionable in content since it is about B (which I will get to soon), was not sinful for me to think about. However, B is something very bad (of the adult content nature). Since I was thinking about A, I quickly moved on to B. An image of B then came into my head, and when I realized that the image of B was sinful (impure), I decided not the think about it.

Alright, so I willingly thought of A, which was not intrinsically wrong, but this brought me to B and the image in my head. So, do you think that I willingly entertained an image of B?

Unfortunately, after having that image, I’ve been so worried, that I keep bringing up the image to wonder if I actually did see anything. I doubt those occasions are mortal sin since its my scrupulosity kicking in and I’m very confused trying to figure out what to do, instead of simply desiring to see that image.

frindro, with regard to sin in this issue, the rubber meets the road in our will. Without temptation, there is no virtue. When we are tempted by an impure though, if we consent to the impure thought, then we’ve crossed the line into sin. Example: You’re walking through a store and see a gorgeous girl wearing a very short skirt and a blouse with lots of cleavage. A tempting thought comes into your mind. You have a couple of choices: 1) Reject the thought. “No, I’d never do that. It’s a sin!” or 2) Consent to the thought. “Boy, if I get half a chance, I’m going to…” (You know the rest.) In case 1, you’ve grown n virtue. In case 2, you’re committed a sin.

But I would add that we shouldn’t go hunting for reasons to be tempted, if you know what I mean. If one plays with fire too often, one is sure to get burnt.

 

[DavidKays]

Frindro, you are confusing your thoughts to sin and what you are going through is normal temptation and believe me we all go through what you are going through. Temptation is actually good for us. Without it we can not grow. St.John Vianney wrote that the greatest evil is not to be tempted. As long as we are tempted we are in a sense right with God. It is the sin that we have to deal with that Our Lord must help us to be forgiven. However temptation are occassions for victory and spiritual growth. Let me explain simply the spiritual life using the story of Adam and Eve as an example. When I teach at my Church I say this. How can one defeat the devil? I get alot of answers some good alot not too good. I use the genesis story of our first parents to show simply what to do. The first and greatest victory will be to ignore the temptation. But you see in the Genesis story Eve conversates with the devil. Do not conversate with the temptation or you may get trapped into it as Eve did. Now if the temptation becomes to strong for you as probably the case you were engaging in then the second victory will be to reveal the temptation to someone. The devil hates it when you reveal to someone what he is up to. In the story of Adam and Eve we see that Eve did not go to her husband to reveal to him this conversation. Had she done this the temptation may have lost its power. I teach a phrase like this " the only power the devil has is the power you give him ". Had Eve revealed the temptation to her husband it would have defeated it for the devil only works one on one. He is a coward when he is exposed and will flee once he is found out which actually defeats him. The third victory will have been confession and repentance for God gave that opportunity to both Adam and Eve. Confession still would have defeated the devil for even sin while consequences to it effects only us does not change God. He loves us and will give the opportunity for us to repent and to change. His Mercy knows no end. So there is your 3 ways to defeat the devil. First to ignore him, second is to reveal him and the temptation and had you entered into sin thirdly you confess it and repent. Hopefully in your spiritual life you will eventually cut sin to its cord and get into the first 2 victories. Dealing with sin is hard and difficult on your own. Remember you have the Church that God gave us and use the Church to help you grow. I am Greek Orthodox and in my Church we call on a certain priest who is our mentor and spiritual advisor. We can seek him out continously so as to help with our spiritual growth. I believe the Catholic Church has also that tradition though it may have been lacking lately in the last generation or so. Seek out a good priest or sister or monk and ask one to help you. A spritual father or mother can be of great benefit even necessary because of the times we live in. I hope this has helped. God Bless!

 

[frindro]

Thank you for your replies. I will keep your advice about temptation in mind.

I think I will go to confession today since, upon reflection, I feel that I began to ask myself what an image of B looked like, and I figure that’s consent.