How explicit should one be in the confession?

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For example, is it enough to say I have lustful thoughts, or do I have to describe the thoughts, what I imagine, to the priests?
 
Saying that you committed sins of (name removed by moderator)urity with yourself should cover it and other things as well.
 
Whenever I commit the sin of masturbation, I always say it outright. I don’t believe blanket statements are really good in confesssion. You should not describe the thoughts as that would be thinking about the thoughts. It could be an occasion of sin to you and/or your priest. Make sure that you are not going into details so as to protect your mind and not because you are ashamed. We are all called to shame ourselves before God. 👍
 
I wasnt precisely referring to masturbation, but

What I mean is, wouldnt having lustful thoughts about the girlfriend of your best friend for example be worse than having lustful thoughts about some random woman you see on the street?, and therefore, I should mention it in the confession, or it doesnt matter and it is equally sinful, and saying I have lustful thoughts is enough??
 
Here are some ideas: I go into the confessional to accuse myself as well as to apologize to God in the sight of the priest. A statement that is too general may not really accuse myself sufficiently, whereas a statement that is too specific may scandalize the priest and really not be necessary. Perhaps a good way to look at it is, I should say enough to make myself genuinely uncomfortable, but not enough to distract the priest. The priest is not a wilting lily, of course, but it is not necessary to use coarse language or imagery in the confessional. Such language would actually distract the penitent, who must remain prayerful to preserve his disposition to the sacrament and gain maximum benefit from it. Nor must we name names. As for lusting after a known vs. an unknown woman, I can’t guess which is worse. A case could be made either way. Another way to look at it is to be sure we say what we must in order to be confident that we have apologized for the class and instance of the sins committed.

Here is a good source for examination of conscience.
 
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Asking:
What I mean is, wouldnt having lustful thoughts about the girlfriend of your best friend for example be worse than having lustful thoughts about some random woman you see on the street?, and therefore, I should mention it in the confession, or it doesnt matter and it is equally sinful, and saying I have lustful thoughts is enough??
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The sin in both cases is failing to see Christ in the woman. Seeing her as an object of pleasure is a failure of love. By entertaining lustful thoughts her inegrity is demeaned. We are to treat all people like Christ himself, friend or stranger.

Lusting after a friend’s girlfriend involves another sin, the sin of betrayal.

In both cases the sins reveal a disordered view of our neighbor.

Do you need to be specific? I don’t think so. But saying I lusted after my best friend’s girlfriend wouldn’t give rise to scandal, so there is no harm in it I think.

Peace,
Chad
 
Ok, I can see how not seeing Christ in a person and seeing them only as an object is sinful, but what about if you see Christ in the person, but are attracted to them bodily as well? Is that still seeing a person as an object, even if you see Christ in them and deeply love and respect that person?

Just thought I’d throw that out there…
 
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Jade:
Ok, I can see how not seeing Christ in a person and seeing them only as an object is sinful, but what about if you see Christ in the person, but are attracted to them bodily as well? Is that still seeing a person as an object, even if you see Christ in them and deeply love and respect that person?

Just thought I’d throw that out there…
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I think St. Augustine said something to the effect that lust in inherently selfish and that even in the best of circumstances (within marriage and directed towards you spouse) it as at least a venial sin.

I don’t know if I go that far, but the point is well made. Being bodily attracted to someone does not constitute lust. Theologically speaking lust is a disordered sort of attraction. At its root it is not about giving, but about taking.

Peace,
Chad
 
Of course a good Confession starts out with a prayer to the Holy Spirit to guide you.

The priest int he Confessional is Christ in persona. He takes the place where Christ would be if Christ Himself was sitting right next to you.

Now if you say that you committed a sin, but withheld certain facts that do play a role in your confession, then you just lied to the Priest and THAT is a sin too.

I would simply let yourself be lead by the Holy Spirit and then you will know what to say.

God IS with Us!
Edwin
 
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Asking:
I wasnt precisely referring to masturbation, but

What I mean is, wouldnt having lustful thoughts about the girlfriend of your best friend for example be worse than having lustful thoughts about some random woman you see on the street?, and therefore, I should mention it in the confession, or it doesnt matter and it is equally sinful, and saying I have lustful thoughts is enough??
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Say it all brother, and you won’t commit the sin as much!
I had this same thing. Now I go to confession twice monthly and (today) am free of this filth. Remember there is no such thing as standing still, you have to progress…get serious and get an advisor.
 
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