Impure thoughts?

[catholicgirl201]

Are thinking bad thoughts (non - sexual thoughts though ) a sin?

What is your definition of impure thoughts?

How does one overcome bad thoughts ?. By bad thoughts I mean thinking of curse words and thinking bad of God etc

 

[Bookcat]

Yes they can be sins.

(they would not be called impure thoughts though…such is normally used for sexual things).

So yes if you consent to thinking about how to kill your husband…or start planning to rob a bank…or consent to thinking your dentist just must be having an affair (even though you have no evidence!) …well such can be sins.

Sins of thought do happen…but not just cause a thought occurred to one…

Just cause a thought “happened” does not make it a sin.

All sorts of thoughts and ideas “come to us”…

 

[Bookcat]

I will repost what I posted before…some of it can be helpful to you perhaps.

(from previous posts)

Regarding thoughts

while Jesus makes it clear that one can sin in ones thoughts…just cause some lustful thought happens does not mean that one sinned…

(and one can have a sufficiently good reason to think about sexual matters…for instance studying moral theology…but care must be taken to avoid things that would be a problem…but that is another question)

What should we do with* unwanted* sexual thoughts or other “evil matters”? Those pesky temptations that can come …even though we are not seeking them etc…

(there are of course some things we should avoid that cause them…and there can be sin if it is something one should reasonably avoid…but often they come uninvited)

First…Relax. Do not worry.

Now are they mortal sins?

For a mortal sin one needs a grave matter …full knowledge AND deliberate consent!!!

A. If you do not want the thought…it the thought displeases you: it can be a sign actually that you did not give consent or do not give full consent.

B. Even if you felt a temptation for the thought – and were drawn to it —but rejected it and maybe even turned to God : again a sign not full consent.

C. But what if one has a tempting thought --say of a sexual nature and even hesitated for a moment…but then rejected it for one did not want to sin? : it can be partial consent perhaps (and thus a venial sin)-- or it may be no sin at all but rather a strong temptation that drew you but then you saw what was happening and turned away.

D. A temptation can even be very strong or the thoughts very often – but this does NOT mean one has consented! so worry not…even it they go on for a long time…

remember --for it to be mortal there must be that deliberate consent!

What to do? on the spiritual side–relax first of all and remember the above.

Next – know that the more one fears the thoughts the more likely they are to come… or said another way --the more a person seeks to avoid the thoughts the more likely he will have a problem with them. (but do not worry about this either!)

for example: for the next 10 seconds try NOT to think of an apple.

tick tock …

tick tock…

Ok what did you think of? Most likely an apple.

So it is best to ignore them and just not consent and then turn your attention to some other good thing…for instance whatever you are doing. Simply do not consent and move on. and do not worry

another point – thoughts can just happen --they are the stuff with which we think…it is up to us to consent and take them further or not. and just because they are REAL VIVID and almost “think themselves” does not mean per se that one has given ANY consent.

they can be annoying…but need cause no actual harm …

 

[Barbkw]

*“What is your definition of impure thoughts? How does one overcome bad thoughts ? By bad thoughts I mean thinking of curse words and thinking bad of God etc.” *

I’d suggest that to overcome bad thoughts about God, that instead you talk to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit about your feelings

God the Holy Spirit rests within Your soul, that Divine area in you that holds you close to God.

It’s difficult to “think bad thoughts of God” when you’re talking directly to Him."

You think up curse words Why?

Two of my 3 to 4 year old nephews, when they’d get together, would hide in a corner and say “cuss” words to each other - “You’re a doo doo head.” “You’re a poo- but.”

Humanity is so odd.

 

[zdon011]

Next – know that the more one fears the thoughts the more likely they are to come… or said another way --the more a person seeks to avoid the thoughts the more likely he will have a problem with them. (but do not worry about this either!)

for example: for the next 10 seconds try NOT to think of an apple.

tick tock …

tick tock…

Ok what did you think of? Most likely an apple.

Oh Bookcat, I was waiting for you to come out with your epic apple analogy again! As long as sinful thoughts trouble mankind, your little essay will always be needed.

Though I would suggest to Catholicgirl that though such thoughts are bad, often they are involuntary and even unwanted:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrusive_thoughts
When one does not ‘welcome’ or willingly allow such thoughts to continue, then it is very doubtful that they constitute a sin.

 

[catholicgirl201]

Thank you for your answers they have been very helpfull

 

[slywakka250]

I think most sins start out as thoughts, and thoughts themselves can be sins.

What I do when tempted with impure thoughts, is tell myself that thinking these thoughts will damage the quality of my life, they will harm my ability to relate to people in a healthy way, and will wrap me up in myself and my selfishness

 

[Bookcat]

Oh Bookcat, I was waiting for you to come out with your epic apple analogy again! As long as sinful thoughts trouble mankind, your little essay will always be needed.

Though I would suggest to Catholicgirl that though such thoughts are bad, often they are involuntary and even unwanted:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrusive_thoughts
When one does not ‘welcome’ or willingly allow such thoughts to continue, then it is very doubtful that they constitute a sin.

Thanks…

(though i have to admit the apple thing is not mine…nor much of the rest …tis simply the wisdom of others …digested and put into a little post …but thanks for thumbs up! I am glad it is helpful…them pesky thoughts can trouble faithful Christians…tis good to know the “lowdown” on em )