Mortal or Venial question regarding impure thoughts

[njl]

A few days ago I received a temptation to masturbate, and then to have an impure thought for the purpose of being aroused. I submitted to the temptation regarding impure thoughts, but immediately began half-hearted resistance. Soon afterward I began to resist very strongly with prayer, and banished both thoughts and temptation. I am not sure whether this is a mortal or venial sin, because I am not sure if I caused this impure thought, and am thus guilty. I did not act on the impure thought or dwell on it for a long period of time.
Any help or thoughts?

 

[OJD]

A few days ago I received a temptation to masturbate, and then to have an impure thought for the purpose of being aroused.

Sadly a common thing in today’s sexually active and provocative society… Note that temptations are not sins.

I submitted to the temptation regarding impure thoughts, but immediately began half-hearted resistance.

Hey it’s good that you resisted it! Good on you!

Soon afterward I began to resist very strongly with prayer, and banished both thoughts and temptation.

Thank you, Jesus.

I am not sure whether this is a mortal or venial sin, because I am not sure if I caused this impure thought, and am thus guilty.

My advice can never replace that of a good confessor but for a sin to be mortal it must have fully matched all three criteria:

1. Full knowledge of the act
2. Full and deliberate consent/will to sin against God
3. Grave matter (i.e. the sin is serious)

The last point is almost certainly present, considering what Our Lord said about lust (cf. Matthew 5:28-30). Full knowledge means you must be conscious in doin the act. You probably didn’t “cause” the impure thought, so wouldn’t even really be venially sinful. You wouldn’t have committed to this sin with full and deliberate consent as you prayed to overcome the temptation. I would opine that this wasn’t mortal at all, and I’d not really consider it venially sinful, especially since you probably didn’t “invent” the thoughts wilfully. I’m sure it wasn’t your intention to offend Almighty God! But that would be ultimately up to your confessor to judge.

I did not act on the impure thought or dwell on it for a long period of time.

Again, thank you Jesus! Flying fantasies are not mortally sinful insofar as I am aware. But I may be corrected on this. That is presuming that these lustful/sexual/impure thoughts are not consciously being entertained.

Keep strong, keep praying - especially pouring out your soul and hope to keep chaste to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Keep going to confession and if you don’t already adoration. If you can, Daily Mass. Frequent the sacraments - that is the source of grace you can employ to combat these problems.

Peace in Christ,
Oliver.

 

[JRKH]

A few days ago I received a temptation to masturbate, and then to have an impure thought for the purpose of being aroused. I submitted to the temptation regarding impure thoughts, but immediately began half-hearted resistance. Soon afterward I began to resist very strongly with prayer, and banished both thoughts and temptation. I am not sure whether this is a mortal or venial sin, because I am not sure if I caused this impure thought, and am thus guilty. I did not act on the impure thought or dwell on it for a long period of time.
Any help or thoughts?

First, Make a sincere act of contrition. Whether this comes up to the level of “Mortal” or not, it is offensive to God. So - Apologize to Him and resolve to do better.

Second, talk to you confessor about this. Try to have a regular confessor, one who gets to know you and can offer good advice to you personally.

No one here is qualified to tell you personally whether this qualifies as a Mortal sin or not.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

for a sin to be mortal it must have fully matched all three criteria:

1. Full knowledge of the act
2. Full and deliberate consent/will to sin against God
3. Grave matter (i.e. the sin is serious)

I’m sure it wasn’t your intention to offend Almighty God! .

It is important to note.

One does not need to will to sin against God or to intend to offend God in order to commit a mortal sins.

One does need grave matter and yes full knowledge and yes complete (deliberate) consent. It can be a grave object chosen “for any reason”.

 

[Cristiano]

It is important to note.

One does not need to will to sin against God or to intend to offend God in order to commit a mortal sins.

One does need grave matter and yes full knowledge and yes complete (deliberate) consent. It can be a grave object chosen “for any reason”.

Bl. JPII made it very clear.

However, I know that a lot of Catholics still think that they have a free pass when they incur in grave matter just because they do not mean to offend God directly. They think that their sin is not really a mortal sin even when they are well aware that it is grave matter.This could be a reason why often the confession lines are short.

 

[Bookcat]

You (and perhaps with the help of your confessor) will need to judge. It is hard to say from what you said…for when you say you had the thought for the purpose of arousal …well was that done with full knowledge and deliberate consent…and then you later started resisting? Or was it that the though started…and you were attracted but started resisting it when one realized what was happening???

It may be something to simply bring to confession and note what you noted here.

In any case…make an act of perfect contrition and keep close to Jesus in Prayer.

From Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI:

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

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(from an past post of mine)

Of course we need to reasonably avoid temptation we know will be a problem for us…that we can reasonablly avoid…now we of course know we can not avoid all…for they are everywhere…but one has to know oneself…and for example know that he needs to not watch a particular movie etc…but even if we do this…there will still be temptations!

Some helpful advice …drawn from Tanquerey (from the 1930’s) (but my words somewhat)

When one is tempted…

Now what are some signs of lack of consent or partial consent…

1. We may judge that there has been no consent if in spite of the suggestion and the instinctive pleasure …we experience disgust or not happy we are tempted…or we struggle not to be overcome…it we are horrified at the evil…if we turn to God in prayer…(and of course do not later consent)
2. If one does not reject the temptation as soon as one realizes it it is dangerous for one…this is a fault against prudence …
3. If one momentarily hesitates… but then does not want to offend God etc…(does not want to commit a mortal sin etc)…and after that moment of hesitation repels the temptation–again there is a venial sin of imprudence.
4. If one resists the temptation in a half-hearted way…one does resist but weakly…or slow way …but in the end rejects the temptation…there would be it seems half-consent…thus a venial sin.

If one completely consents…to something that is grave matter with full knowledge…then one committed a mortal sin.