Idle thoughts a sin? (scruples don't read)

[Ben_Sinner]

"If we had back one of those afternoons that we wasted in immoderate drinking, and in playing dice and cards; one of the evenings that we spent in dangerous com*pany; one of the mornings that we lost by lying too long in bed, or in spending too much time in dressing, or in idle thoughts, what would we not do? "

catholicforum.fisheaters.com/index.php?topic=1447313.0

I came across this old sermon from “The Remorse of the Dying on Account of Time Lost through Idleness” by Fr. Francis Hunolt

I AM SERIOUSLY FREAKED OUT! IDLE THOUGHTS!!, I am already scrupulus, after reading this, I am almost in despair. How can anyone not have idle thoughts?

so, if I sit around and think about who will win the SuperBowl this year, I’m goin to hell?!?!?!

 

[Joannm]

"If we had back one of those afternoons that we wasted in immoderate drinking, and in playing dice and cards; one of the evenings that we spent in dangerous com*pany; one of the mornings that we lost by lying too long in bed, or in spending too much time in dressing, or in idle thoughts, what would we not do? "

catholicforum.fisheaters.com/index.php?topic=1447313.0

I came across this old sermon from “The Remorse of the Dying on Account of Time Lost through Idleness” by Fr. Francis Hunolt

I AM SERIOUSLY FREAKED OUT! IDLE THOUGHTS!!, I am already scrupulus, after reading this, I am almost in despair. How can anyone not have idle thoughts?

so, if I sit around and think about who will win the SuperBowl this year, I’m goin to hell?!?!?!

Honestly I don’t believe it is sinful unless your thoughts are about things that are objectivly wrong. Our brians need time to unwind and relax. Playing cards or letting your mind wanter or even imagining is not wrong. If people didn’t give their minds time to wander and relax we’d all be in big touble. We spend too much time doing things and keeping busy. Relax.

 

[baltobetsy]

Two things you should do. Discuss this with your regular confessor. You do have one, don’t you? And stop reading things like this. Your conscience doesn’t function properly, and this kind of admonition will only do damage instead of encouraging you as it is meant to do.

Go read about the Super Bowl. Seriously. Humans need balance - God made us that way. I guess that’s three things. (Go Ravens!)

 

[ready]

Just try to do your daily duties perfectly and with love, and busy yourself with spiritual things.

 

[rskempf]

You can develop the discipline to focus your mind over time. Like sports, it takes practice.

Slowly reform your life one step at a time according to a Plan Of Life. At least attend mass and pray the rosary daily, if at all possible.

Become a saint in everyday life (main message of Vatican II).

If you spend more mental time on sports than praying, well then, you worship sports - period.

Sports are OK but in today’s world, sports are the opiate for the masses of men. It robs most men from the time needed to lead their families to holiness.

 

[Monica4316]

Ben,

firstly calm down and dont’ freak out about this idle thoughts are imperfections…it is not grave matter. Should we try and orient our minds towards more meaningful thoughts, and not waste time? surely. That is great for our spiritual growth and perfection, and it also helps with purgatory if we don’t have so many idle thoughts. However… you said that you are scrupulous. Remember that we need to have a well formed conscience… the conscience can either be too permissive (clearly this is not you!) or too strict, considering everything a huge sin. If you want to avoid idle thoughts, try to avoid them more for the reason of wanting to grow in holiness, rather than to escape hell. Here is just what I would do… I would confess ``idle thoughts, and then try to just live in a way where you devote your time to God, your family, things that interest you, etc. Dont worry youre allowed to think of who will win the Super Bowl. If every thought that wasnt strictly useful or spiritual would be an idle thought, and a sin, who would make it to Heaven! I think what the homily is talking about is spending hours lying on your couch daydreaming of something unimportant, not doing your duties, not praying, etc… if you`re relaxing after work and reading a newspaper, or thinking about sports and who will win the game, that is not a sin. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Sherry_G]

What this brings to mind is that we are all capable of falling into sin, we are just frail humans after all. Realizing our shortcomings is a very good thing. That is why we need to turn to God and ask Him to protect us, to guide us to do His will and only what is pleasing to Him.

Scrupulosity is a temptation from the evil one to give up, freak out and destroy our connection with God. As one who was lost thru sin, and in coming back to God, I went thru some periods where I felt so unworthy, so helplessly flawed that I considered giving up. My confessor guided me through this, I began to go to confession quite often, attend daily Mass and spend time each day in reading the Word; just say NO to the temptation of satan. Yes, we are all flawed, we all fail miserably day in and day out, however God’s love is so powerful and wonderful, all we need to is turn our will over to Him and offer Him our daily work, even our play and relaxation which we all need to be healthy and well balanced as others have pointed out.