It's not "lust" ....it's normal!

[TLM08]

I believe that the “porn culture”, rampant marital infidelity, and sexual promiscuity of modern times is a good example of the sort of immorality that Christ was speaking against as “lustful” during his ministry.

Unfortunately there seems to be a large number of threads on here posted by good men who are worried that they are sinning because they have sexual thoughts when they go to the beach, see a provocative commercial or an attractive female walking down the street.

It is sad that in this day and age something so natural and beautiful can be make a man become self-loathing, riddled with guilt and shame because some of the early church fathers (like Augustine) couldn’t control themselves during their youth.

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

How great would it be if we all stepped back and re-examined how we define the word “lust”. While modern culture is learly out of control, it’s just as rediculous to constantly run around in a fog of shame.

 

[o_mlly]

I believe that the “porn culture”, rampant marital infidelity, and sexual promiscuity of modern times is a good example of the sort of immorality that Christ was speaking against as “lustful” during his ministry.

Unfortunately there seems to be a large number of threads on here posted by good men who are worried that they are sinning because they have sexual thoughts when they go to the beach, see a provocative commercial or an attractive female walking down the street.

It is sad that in this day and age something so natural and beautiful can be make a man become self-loathing, riddled with guilt and shame because some of the early church fathers (like Augustine) couldn’t control themselves during their youth.

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

How great would it be if we all stepped back and re-examined how we define the word “lust”. While modern culture is learly out of control, it’s just as rediculous to constantly run around in a fog of shame.

CC# 2351 “Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.”

One must differentiate “longing for” in which the object is the other person and “lusting for” in which the object is self. The former spring from charity, the latter from selfishness.

Peace.
O’Malley

 

[BobCatholic]

Who wants to be normal? We are called to be holy.

Who wants to be natural? We are called to be supernatural.

 

[IWillBeHeard]

Let me tell you about the new rules on here…

1. If you support any sort of view that is different than what the mods believe, you will be banned. Discussion is not open for different and new ideas. Even if Catholicism is making a mistake, we support tradition.
2. Everything the Catholic Church has ever done has been infallible. Therefore, there is no need for you to question anything about Catholicism, the Church is perfect. If the Church told you to kill someone, you should do it, no questions asked.
3. Any rude and ignorant comments to others stating “You are not a true Catholic if you voted for Obama” will be accepted and is encouraged.
4. God didn’t give you this conscience to use for yourself. You must substitute other peoples judgment for your own, and never question them, because their judgment is better.
5. If you child someday asks you if they should use a condom, you should tell them “No, let yourself get HIV instead.”

 

[Catholic90]

Let me tell you about the new rules on here…

1. If you support any sort of view that is different than what the mods believe, you will be banned. Discussion is not open for different and new ideas. Even if Catholicism is making a mistake, we support tradition.

Not quite! It is all in how you approach the subject. Be respectful.

1. Everything the Catholic Church has ever done has been infallible. Therefore, there is no need for you to question anything about Catholicism, the Church is perfect. If the Church told you to kill someone, you should do it, no questions asked.

Where did you get this idea?

1. Any rude and ignorant comments to others stating “You are not a true Catholic if you voted for Obama” will be accepted and is encouraged.

As I vehemently opposed OB’s election, I would have to agree! (Just look at the shambles he’s done so far in his first 100 days! )

1. God didn’t give you this conscience to use for yourself. You must substitute other peoples judgment for your own, and never question them, because their judgment is better.
   Oh please! Education is the key. Educate yourself.
2. If you child someday asks you if they should use a condom, you should tell them “No, let yourself get HIV instead.”

If my child someday asks if they should use a condom, you can bet your bottom dollar there will be a whole lot more being discussed than AIDS or HIV. We will be discussing respect, self control, chastity, etc. We will discuss how he would feel if his girl aborted HIS baby. We will discuss how he would feel if he had to suddenly pay a lot of money for child support. He has seen pictures on the Internet of different ST diseases.

However, I’ve been having these discussions with my boys ongoing throughout their lives. It is NOT something that suddenly pops up when they have a girlfriend. They are all very grounded. My oldest is 17, btw, and after having gone throught the soap opera of a single girlfriend, now has the greatest relationships with a group of girls, NOT a “steady”. My nearly 16 YO says he won’t date until he is ready for marriage, which will be after college, he says. (he has very specific career goals right now).

bitter much?

 

[Newbie2]

I believe that the “porn culture”, rampant marital infidelity, and sexual promiscuity of modern times is a good example of the sort of immorality that Christ was speaking against as “lustful” during his ministry.

Unfortunately there seems to be a large number of threads on here posted by good men who are worried that they are sinning because they have sexual thoughts when they go to the beach, see a provocative commercial or an attractive female walking down the street.

It is sad that in this day and age something so natural and beautiful can be make a man become self-loathing, riddled with guilt and shame because some of the early church fathers (like Augustine) couldn’t control themselves during their youth.

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

How great would it be if we all stepped back and re-examined how we define the word “lust”. While modern culture is learly out of control, it’s just as rediculous to constantly run around in a fog of shame.

I heard something interesting today on Catholic Radio…JPII in his theology of the body, either eluded to or said outright that the problem with Pornography is not that it goes too far, but that it doesn’t go far enough:

It shows the physical side of our sexuality (bizzare porn and multiple partner porn aside, we must assume) but leave out completely the respect for the individual person inside that body that is being objectified with sexual activity on the screen or on the pages.

Same thing, methinks, applies to lustful thinking. When it goes beyond the appreciation of the beauty of women’s or men’s bodies, respectively, it’s gone too far.

 

[Wild_Boar]

Who wants to be normal? We are called to be holy.

Who wants to be natural? We are called to be supernatural.

:yyeess:
1John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever”
Romans 13:14, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

 

[ApocalypseNow]

I believe that the “porn culture”, rampant marital infidelity, and sexual promiscuity of modern times is a good example of the sort of immorality that Christ was speaking against as “lustful” during his ministry.

Unfortunately there seems to be a large number of threads on here posted by good men who are worried that they are sinning because they have sexual thoughts when they go to the beach, see a provocative commercial or an attractive female walking down the street.

It is sad that in this day and age something so natural and beautiful can be make a man become self-loathing, riddled with guilt and shame because some of the early church fathers (like Augustine) couldn’t control themselves during their youth.

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

How great would it be if we all stepped back and re-examined how we define the word “lust”. While modern culture is learly out of control, it’s just as rediculous to constantly run around in a fog of shame.

I agree!

 

[ApocalypseNow]

I heard something interesting today on Catholic Radio…JPII in his theology of the body, either eluded to or said outright that the problem with Pornography is not that it goes too far, but that it doesn’t go far enough:

 

[holyrosary11]

Who wants to be normal? We are called to be holy.

Who wants to be natural? We are called to be supernatural.

:clapping::extrahappy:

 

[holyrosary11]

I lust all the time - but i totally accept the Church’s teaching on sexuality… whether i like it all the time or not & i act accordingly (or refrain from acting, i should say).

A lot of posters here seem to think sexual self-gratification is OK but according to Scripture and the Church, the saints (etc), it leads one to Hell, as all sexual perversions do.

When an impure thought enters the mind, it really isn’t all that difficult to toss it out. It’s all about choice.

 

[nablaise]

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

So how should we call having sexual thoughts and feelings toward a person who is not your spouse if not ‘adultry in the heart’ ?

As weak as we are, I think we should not try to rationalize away our sins. It is when we acknowledge our misery that we become able to hope for healing and accept it when it is offered.

And Jesus said: For judgment I am come into this world: that they who see not may see; and they who see may become blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees, who were with him, heard: and they said unto him: Are we also blind? 41 Jesus said to them: If you were blind, you should not have sin: but now you say: We see. Your sin remaineth.

Man and woman were commanded ‘to be fruitful and multiply’. This is the command (in communion with the command to love thy neigbor ) that initiate desire for marriage in a good heart.

For a faithful catholic, marital type interest are initiated by a desire for family and an accounter with a person with compatible vision for raising it. What I would call ‘pure’ sexual thoughts are not excluded but they certainly don’t come ‘in the first place’.

A marriage founded on sexual thoughts would be a living hell for those involved…

 

[TLM08]

Who wants to be normal? We are called to be holy.

Who wants to be natural? We are called to be supernatural.

I don’t know about you Bob, but I am a filthy wretched sinner, in need of the Savior as I continue living in this body of death just like Paul spoke of. Any holiness and goodness within me is strictly a gift from God. The fact remains, we have these thoughts on occasion that should be controlled, but not always deemed shameful and evil.

 

[NCSue]

I heard an excellent teaching by a wonderful priest a few weeks ago while on a retreat. He said that having a thought is NOT a sin. Sometimes these are tossed our way by the enemy. Entertaining that thought - or acting on that thought - is a different matter. This makes good sense to me.

When I have a thought that is disturbing, I simply echo Jesus: “Get thee behind me, Satan”. Then I move on.

 

[StCsDavid]

Sin is not in the thought…it is in the will. If one experiences a sinful thought…let it pass and move on, but don’t spend hours fretting over the thought. Put it down and walk away from it.

 

[BobCatholic]

I don’t know about you Bob, but I am a filthy wretched sinner, in need of the Savior as I continue living in this body of death just like Paul spoke of. Any holiness and goodness within me is strictly a gift from God.

me too.

The fact remains, we have these thoughts on occasion that should be controlled, but not always deemed shameful and evil.

My spiritual director says we need to mortify our minds when we have useless thoughts like this. Switch thinking to useful things. Occupy oneself with useful things. Lift up your mind to prayer.

 

[GodisEverywhere]

I believe that the “porn culture”, rampant marital infidelity, and sexual promiscuity of modern times is a good example of the sort of immorality that Christ was speaking against as “lustful” during his ministry.

Unfortunately there seems to be a large number of threads on here posted by good men who are worried that they are sinning because they have sexual thoughts when they go to the beach, see a provocative commercial or an attractive female walking down the street.

It is sad that in this day and age something so natural and beautiful can be make a man become self-loathing, riddled with guilt and shame because some of the early church fathers (like Augustine) couldn’t control themselves during their youth.

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

How great would it be if we all stepped back and re-examined how we define the word “lust”. While modern culture is learly out of control, it’s just as rediculous to constantly run around in a fog of shame.

I agree with you. It is not a sin if lustful thoughts arise - they are our nature sometimes. And like said, that’s how we all got here. It’s just thoughts, and thoughts don’t always ask permission when the arise. Having said that, at least in my experience I don’t think we should let them consume our minds. But trying to stop lustful thoughts will only have the opposite effect. What you resist persists. We all have stupid thoughts, just laugh at them.

 

[Other_Eric]

Contrary to much of what has been posted here, Christ recognized no distinction between the lustful thought and the lustful act. Therefore, if you think something lustful, you might as well follow through on that thought, since God has already found you guilty of such. Since we as Christians are called to be perfect as God is perfect, and since such judgment is an aspect of that perfection, neither must we make any such distinctions in our moral discernment.

 

[PJM]

=TLM08;5124189]I believe that the “porn culture”, rampant marital infidelity, and sexual promiscuity of modern times is a good example of the sort of immorality that Christ was speaking against as “lustful” during his ministry.

Unfortunately there seems to be a large number of threads on here posted by good men who are worried that they are sinning because they have sexual thoughts when they go to the beach, see a provocative commercial or an attractive female walking down the street.

It is sad that in this day and age something so natural and beautiful can be make a man become self-loathing, riddled with guilt and shame because some of the early church fathers (like Augustine) couldn’t control themselves during their youth.

When Christ spoke of lust and “adultry in the heart” I don’t think he was talking about normal sexual thoughts and feelings experienced by man and woman who haven’t yet married. It is these very sexual thoughts that initiate a man’s interest in a woman as a potential wife in the first place. Without those initial sexual thoughts, there is almost no chance for marital type interest to even get off the ground.

How great would it be if we all stepped back and re-examined how we define the word “lust”. While modern culture is learly out of control, it’s just as rediculous to constantly run around in a fog of shame.

**So friend,

Is your theory the same as being “just a little bit pregnant?”**

Mt.25: 27 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Why does Jesus warn us so?

Because our eyes are the traffic lights to our minds, hearts, immagination and soul!

Don’t seek trouble and your less likey to find it:thumbsup:

 

[NCSue]

A fleeting thought - which may be a trick of the enemy - is NOT sinful as long as it is cast away. We all face temptations, and that (essentially) is what a “sinful thought” is all about. When a checker at the grocery store given me too much change, it may cross my mind to keep it. IMHO, that’s how satan works. Dwelling on the thought or acting on the thought, however - THAT is sin.