Is this temptation a sin?

[Gabrielle]

Is a certain thought a sin if it keeps coming back, but you don’t want it, you don’t like it, you try your best to fight it, and never act on it? I have a recurring temptation that I am not even interested in acting upon. It keeps coming back, and sometimes I feel like I may bring it back myself because I feel so bad about having had it that I keep thinking about it having popped into my head. Again, I would never act on this, but it just keeps coming back, and I’m confused.

 

[Gabrielle]

Thank you for your reply Brittany I try to say a quick prayer whenever they come. I will try and pray more though, and to read more too but I almost feel like if I stand still they are harder to get rid off.

 

[Vico]

Thank you for your reply Brittany I try to say a quick prayer whenever they come. I will try and pray more though, and to read more too but I almost feel like if I stand still they are harder to get rid off.

Sometimes the temptation increases when you fight it, but with grace we can avoid mortal sin.

Matthew 12

43 And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man in made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation.

1 Cor. 10

13 Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.

 

[TheLittleLady]

You cannot keep the birds from flying overhead.

You can keep them from making a nest in your hair.

 

[daverod]

1 John 3:4

“…sin is the transgression of the law.”

Which ‘law’ might it be transgressing?

sin : 266. hamartia : offense, sin, sinful.
From hamartano; a sin (properly abstract) – offence, sin(-ful).

http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/266.htm

transgression : 458. anomia From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness – iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/458.htm

the word Law is not used in this verse. Rather the term ‘without law’, or anomia, is used. So maybe it can be understood as, sin is the transgression of the law, or sin is to be ‘without law’??

But we all know that we have all sinned and that there is none that is without sin…

But those that ‘willfully’ and those that ‘unwillingly’ are separate.

Do I cause misfortune, or evil, towards another because I am unwillingly weak?

Or do I cause misfortune, or evil, towards another because I willfully desire to?

Do I willfully seek out other’s ‘faults and shortcomings’ to use it against them?
Or do I unwilling discover something that I have to be wise with and surrender it unto God?

 

[BlackFriar]

This is not a sin issue but a (mental) health issue and normal in times of puberty and stress.

If this is not normal for you then the challenge is often to recognise the unrecognised underlying stressor that is triggering you. It is often a bad relationship, a fear of the future, something traumatic from the past you haven’t fully processed. Often the obsessive thoughts themselves are veiled forms our subconscious uses to try and tell us what the issue is. Sometimes its because we are in denial about something and so are unable to process things to a satisfactory resolution. Our true self wont let us rest until we do.
Then again sometimes its a medical condition or a sign of mental fatigue and anything triggers us.

If this sort of thing has always happened to you and is getting worse (thought the content may change) then its worth seeking professional help (clinical psychologist referral from your GP) as it seems indicative of anxiety or obsessive thoughts. They can help sort out whether its a medical condition (medication can help a lot) or a personal issue you need help resolving.

Good luck.

 

[Gabrielle]

You see, I’ve always wondered if it wasn’t something in my mind. I do feel anxious, and even more so when I’m not having these thoughts because I feel paranoid about them coming back. I think I will go to the doctor . Thank you!

 

[BlackFriar]

Good idea. The GP will first run some blood tests to see if it isn’t a hormone imbalance (usually thyroid).
If it isn’t that then the Clinical Psychologist will sort out with you whether its an imbalance of certain brain chemicals (which dip below minimum levels in times of stress - medication can help a lot if this is the case) or whether you have bad coping mechanisms and help counsel you to cope in more healthy ways.

Establishing good support relationships and regular daily exercise is always very helpful.
You might try boosting Vitamin B levels (brain food) with a daily teaspoon of molasses (in warm water) or yeast extract on toast (Vegemite or Marmite). Not too much of the latter as its high in salt. Pace yourself first, for some Vit B supplements can make things worse. If the CP prescribes you medication you may have to stop the Vit B supplements (always ask).

Its a medium road to improvement not overnight if bad biology is the main component. But it can be very significant all the same.

But discuss all this with your CP, we are not meant to provide medical advise on CAF.

 

[Gabrielle]

Well, either way this was definitely helpful! You are very knowledgeable! Thank you for taking the time to give me such complete answers. I’m going to pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet for you to thank you! God bless!

 

[Obl_OSB]

How thoughts become full blown passions… (explained by Sister Mary Margaret Funk)

1. Provocation- thoughts rising, simply rising, often by suggestion or remembrance
2. Coupling with dialogue- an interactive phase, the inner dialogue with the suggestion or temptation
3. Assent- moving along the possibility
4. Captivity- fascination with the idea of acting on the thought
5. Struggle- either the victory over suggestion/temptation or the rationalization and justification and, finally, perhaps consent
6. Passion- the full pattern linked to the yoke of evil, even to the point of addiction

How to battle…

1. Combat them directly by being aware and directing your thoughts and feelings away from the content offered to the mind.
2. Replace the thoughts and feelings with another thought or feeling, such as prayer or scripture.
3. Watch and continue to be aware of your thoughts and feelings, for they are not able to gather the energy required to hook the self. Simply put they have no power on their own.
4. Doing good for another acts toward God, and thoughts and feelings follow when charity is done selflessly. Thoughts are stilled and goodness overrides the human propensity toward sin.

Pray to God asking Him to cleanse your memory and imagination, pray the rosary daily. Pax Christi!

 

[BlackFriar]

A bit confusing as the words above are not always used in their theological meaning.

“Passion” for example in its Latin root meaning is actually the contrary of morality.
Morality at its core is an active consent (rather than “assent”) while the root meaning of “passion” is to suffer against one’s consent./will.

We all know that addiction can reduce culpability as well as be a consequence of culpability.

So passion is not inherently morally evil. It can serve as an indicator - especially depending on whether or not it is antecedent or subsequent to “consent” from the will.