is this lust?

[fangornforest]

Hi everyone,

I was watching part of a movie today (The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) and there’s one part where it shows a really pretty woman in the movie but I’m not sure if I lusted. Basically here’s what happened.

I was watching the movie like normal but there was a scene with her in it. I said to myself, “She’s really pretty” and I glanced at her stomach area because she was wearing one of those tied up shirts that shows the stomach. I quickly glanced away from her fearing that it was lustful but then I glanced back at her again another 2 times very quickly. Basically, it was only for one second each time.

I didn’t become aroused or anything and after that third time I was so uncertain if it was considered lust that I ended up shutting off the TV.

I sort of understand the definition of “lustful thinking” but I’m not sure still. I went to confession and had a good confession this previous saturday. I told the priest that I’m confused about what lusting actually meant and he said that its if we look at another person with desire in our hearts.

I’m not too sure if what happened was lust. I didn’t have any thoughts of desire going through my mind other than the obligatory “Did I just lust? What if I did?” questioning. (I’m scrupulous if you can’t tell )

Any help will be appreciated. This never usually bothers me. Whenever I see a pretty girl I usually just note in my head, “Wow, she’s really pretty” then I move on my way without thinking of anything. Would a couple quick one second glances count as lust? I’m pretty confused about it.

 

[cam100]

Seeing a women’s stomach is not evil in itself. You could even admire her for her beauty. It would be wrong if this image led to thoughts of impurity, and you continued to gaze at her stomach in order to keep the impure thoughts alive. At least that’s my opinion.

 

[fangornforest]

Seeing a women’s stomach is not evil in itself. You could even admire her for her beauty. It would be wrong if this image led to thoughts of impurity, and you continued to gaze at her stomach in order to keep the impure thoughts alive. At least that’s my opinion.

Do you think it was impurity? I think I only glanced only a couple times for about one second each. This whole situation only lasted about 5 seconds. I’m still really not sure.

 

[cam100]

Do you think it was impurity? I think I only glanced only a couple times for about one second each. This whole situation only lasted about 5 seconds. I’m still really not sure.

Well, looking at what you wrote above, I’d say it wasn’t lust. Obviously, I can’t know exactly what was in your head, in fact, I sometimes don’t know what was going on in my own head after the fact.

 

[Riley259]

Hi everyone,

I was watching part of a movie today (The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) and there’s one part where it shows a really pretty woman in the movie but I’m not sure if I lusted. Basically here’s what happened.

I was watching the movie like normal but there was a scene with her in it. I said to myself, “She’s really pretty” and I glanced at her stomach area because she was wearing one of those tied up shirts that shows the stomach. I quickly glanced away from her fearing that it was lustful but then I glanced back at her again another 2 times very quickly. Basically, it was only for one second each time.

I didn’t become aroused or anything and after that third time I was so uncertain if it was considered lust that I ended up shutting off the TV.

I sort of understand the definition of “lustful thinking” but I’m not sure still. I went to confession and had a good confession this previous saturday. I told the priest that I’m confused about what lusting actually meant and he said that its if we look at another person with desire in our hearts.

I’m not too sure if what happened was lust. I didn’t have any thoughts of desire going through my mind other than the obligatory “Did I just lust? What if I did?” questioning. (I’m scrupulous if you can’t tell )

Any help will be appreciated. This never usually bothers me. Whenever I see a pretty girl I usually just note in my head, “Wow, she’s really pretty” then I move on my way without thinking of anything. Would a couple quick one second glances count as lust? I’m pretty confused about it.

My understanding is that if you’re not sure that you lusted then it’s not a mortal sin.

 

[baltobetsy]

With all that worry and fear going on, you didn’t have time to lust.

Scrupulous people such as yourself should bring questions like this to the one confessor whom you see regularly and obey in everything. You do have one, don’t you?

Betsy

 

[fangornforest]

Well, looking at what you wrote above, I’d say it wasn’t lust. Obviously, I can’t know exactly what was in your head, in fact, I sometimes don’t know what was going on in my own head after the fact.

Thanks for the reassurance.

I think my mind is just spinning in circles now, that’s all.

I’m tempted to say: “I understand what you’re saying, but what if it was lusting?”

I always figured lusting as a mortal sin. Which would mean:

1. Grave matter
2. Full knowledge
3. Full consent

However, what about if there is uncertainty. This would cause a lack of full knowledge but would it still count against you if you have understanding ahead of time in the grave nature of lusting even if you didn’t satisfy the three points out of uncertainty?

You don’t even have to answer that. --Scruples in action once again I guess.

 

[fangornforest]

thanks everyone

 

[cam100]

I always figured lusting as a mortal sin. Which would mean:

1. Grave matter
2. Full knowledge
3. Full consent

However, what about if there is uncertainty. This would cause a lack of full knowledge but would it still count against you if you have understanding ahead of time in the grave nature of lusting even if you didn’t satisfy the three points out of uncertainty?

I would say that in this situation you were at least lacking in the full knowledge part, and probably full consent. And that’s assuming it was grave matter, which, from your description, it probably wasn’t.