Help! Impure Thoughts question!?

[Askr]

so I received a temptation toward having arousing thoughts and, without thinking much about the gravity of the situation, I briefly entertained them before ultimately deciding to reject them. I then said a prayer and did not act on these thoughts, but later they were repeated. I rejected these following thoughts quickly and did not dwell on them. So would such a scenario be a mortal sin???

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Not the way you described it. You decided they were troublesome, and took your focus away from them. I think that’s all you can do. You can’t beat yourself up from having the thoughts in the first place – that one thing we as humans have to accept. We’re designed to be aroused at times, so it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong. To be a mortal sin it requires that you had full knowledge and consent – so that’s why I said what I said about your story sounding ok.

Alan

 

[JerrySeibert]

Agreed. Fr Larry Richards has commented on this subject. He states that the thought should pass you by, meaning you will have these thoughts. But sin only enters if you revisit them and act upon them.
I.e. To see a person as attractive. Nothing wrong there.
To see the same person and have temping thoughts of what you would do to the sexually, there sin enters.
Keep praying until the temptation leaves you.
God bless.

 

[Askr]

But I’m not sure if I caused the thoughts…what about in that case?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

But I’m not sure if I caused the thoughts…what about in that case?

I was thinking the thoughts are likely due to natural causes. What do you mean by if “I” caused the thoughts? As in you consciously and deliberately tried to think them, maybe?

Alan

 

[Askr]

yeah…sort of