How would you describe the sin of LUST

[larry_j]

Lets use personal understandings for a bit before we start quoting the catechism.

Is Lust really a mortal sin or were they just kidding???

When we make the other gender an object for our sexual pleasure arre we sinning??? Is pornography the same thing i.e a sin??

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

Lust is entertaining thoughts or engaging in actions which rob us (and possibly others) of the virtue of purity and separate us from God. Yes, pornagraphy is an example of the sin of lust. Knowingly, willingly participating in pornagraphy ~ even if only by viewing it, is mortally sinful.

 

[Bob_Baran]

larry j:

Lets use personal understandings for a bit before we start quoting the catechism.

Is Lust really a mortal sin or were they just kidding???

When we make the other gender an object for our sexual pleasure arre we sinning??? Is pornography the same thing i.e a sin??

Lust is one the seven deadly sins. Yes, it is grave sin. It is a disordered appetite that destroys the soul over a period of time.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

Lusting after anyone (or anything, I need not say more) is sinful…

 

[larry_j]

Okay ya can bring out the catechism now and any other references.

Another question though. Is there a shared responsibility between the lust"ee" and the lust"or" so to speak.

My defense is to look away and start a Hail Mary or two. I don"t get out much so most of my “look aways” come at Sunday Mass. Thank goodness they keep it cool and most come dressed appropriately.

Sooooo… if a person dresses so as to promote lusting in another persons mind are they too guilty of lust?

 

[Hermione]

To me lust is anything that either in thought, word, or action violates the Catholic teaching that sex and everything related should be shared between two married people coming together in unity and with openness to the gift of life. (So this would pretty much exclude things like sexual fantasies, even if I were married and they were about my spouse.)

I guess more practically, if I am thinking of doing something sexual, then I should imagine Jesus standing right there and watching and listening. If it feels uncomfortable then its lustful and sinful. After all, if the action is good I should feel very good about Jesus being there! He is God after all!

 

[mark_a]

larry j:

Sooooo… if a person dresses so as to promote lusting in another persons mind are they too guilty of lust?

Yep. Start a poll!

 

[larry_j]

Computers and I don’t get along too well. Feel free to start a poll…sounds like you are familier with the process.

Some great answers by the way…I thank you.

Humbled and grateful.

 

[justinmatter]

Another question though. Is there a shared responsibility between the lust"ee" and the lust"or" so to speak.
Sooooo… if a person dresses so as to promote lusting in another persons mind are they too guilty of lust?

jesus said that if anyone causes one of “these little ones” to sin, it would be better that he had a millstone around their neck and be thrown into the sea. i guess that applies not only to children but to all of us.
a person, knowing that the dress they wear, causes others to lust (different from looking good and causing appreciation) is bringing temptation to another and possibly, causing them to sin

 

[The_Hidden_Life]

larry j:

Lets use personal understandings for a bit before we start quoting the catechism.

Is Lust really a mortal sin or were they just kidding???

When we make the other gender an object for our sexual pleasure arre we sinning??? Is pornography the same thing i.e a sin??

Lust is an often misused word in our society. Most people think it is now a good thing to say they still feel lust toward their spouse or whatever, meaning they still have instense feelings of sexual desire. But “lust” the word is not meant to be used that way. It is supposed to mean the disorderment of desire, wanting someone or something in a wrong way.

Lust really is a mortal sin. To lust after someone whether they know it or not is a sin. As for whether they share in that sin, it depends. A person can be the object of lust even if they are themselves perfectly modest and thus there is no sin on their part.

However, if you mean more popularly someone like Britney Spears, who dresses provocatively (immodestly), then yes, she would be guilty of sin merely by encouraging others to be lustful looking at her. It doesn’t matter if she says, I don’t dress this way to please others just myself or anything like that.

Immodest dress can lead to other sins too. Last summer I found myself quite angry at some of the teens who came to Mass dressed improperly. Thank goodness I wasn’t afflicted with lust but I was very distracted and condemning of them in my own head. I spent most of the rest of Mass with my eyes closed asking Jesus to help me stop focussing on other people’s sins and bring my focus to Him.

 

[TreeHugger]

larry j:

Sooooo… if a person dresses so as to promote lusting in another persons mind are they too guilty of lust?

I would also say yes. After all, we are responsible for other peoples’ holiness. It’s all about the witness!

 

[TreeHugger]

my bad…i don’t know know exactly what sin the person dressed provocatively is committing, but i don’t think it is lust. however, i would say it is a sin. Sin of scandalous apparel? not sure…

 

[sweetchuck]

TreeHugger:

my bad…i don’t know know exactly what sin the person dressed provocatively is committing, but i don’t think it is lust. however, i would say it is a sin. Sin of scandalous apparel? not sure…

No, I think you were right the first time. If a person tempts another to sin, the person’s sin and the other’s temptation are united. So, if a person dresses provacatively, I would argue that they’re contributing to a sin against chastity. It might not be only venial though, since full knowledge is in question here.

2396 Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices.

 

[cynthia]

Dear Larry,

On the day of judgement you will be accounted for every thought, word, act and deed as taught in the catachism. You need not worry about the definition of lust or those who dress to cause this, for God will judge each according to their concience. Just stay busy when evil thoughts come to your mind and no matter how many times you have feelings or thoughts from the devil, as long as you do not entertain them, and try not to have them then you’re in no sin, infact you’ve gained graces for overcoming the devils temptation to win over your soul for all eternity.

 

[misericordie]

cynthia:

Dear Larry,

On the day of judgement you will be accounted for every thought, word, act and deed as taught in the catachism. You need not worry about the definition of lust or those who dress to cause this, for God will judge each according to their concience. Just stay busy when evil thoughts come to your mind and no matter how many times you have feelings or thoughts from the devil, as long as you do not entertain them, and try not to have them then you’re in no sin, infact you’ve gained graces for overcoming the devils temptation to win over your soul for all eternity.

Tough order! WOW! As a 33 year old guy I feel LUST daily, even if I try to avoid it: actually, when I try to resase it out of my mind the thoughts comes faster.

 

[sweetchuck]

misericordie:

Tough order! WOW! As a 33 year old guy I feel LUST daily, even if I try to avoid it: actually, when I try to resase it out of my mind the thoughts comes faster.

I think what helps me the most is this:

Matthew 25:40: And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers [or sisters] of mine, you did for me.’ (sorry for gender neutralization, something I’m usually against, but it better conveys my argument here because Christ was talking about everyone when he says brothers)

We must remember that whatever sins we commit against someone, we commit them against Christ himself. That’s tough to acknowledge when fantasizing – knowing that when you sin against that woman’s flesh, you do the same to Christ! I know I have a lot easier time turning those lustful thoughts away when I put them in that perspective. (This isn’t to say that I’ve conquered lust, but realizing its repercussions helps).

 

[larry_j]

Yo Cynthia

I think you may have it figured out. I would have to agree with you that salvation i.e our job description here on earth…tying to get to heaven, is not a comparitive process more over a compliance with the will of Good process.Finishing second place or tenth place in a Lust Contest probably won’t cut the mustard.

Lots of great responses…thank you all.

Humbled and gratefull.