Mortal sins of thought?

[Neithan]

St. Augustine says that a sin can be of thought, word or deed. Is it possible that a sin of pure thought could be mortal? Say, a lustful fantasy, even if you try to resist it? I know Jesus said that it’s just like committing adultery (Matthew 5:28) but sometimes thoughts just spontaneously arise, and to think that I would be constantly falling from grace is disheartening.

Also, I know that there are a lot of questions on here like “is this a mortal sin” and it seems strange to me, to have to ask. Given that we have a personal relationship with God, shouldn’t we intrinsically know when a sin is truly mortal (if we are honest with ourselves), can’t we feel when our connection with God has been gravely damaged? Or does the Church really have a list of “these are mortal sins” and we simply must follow it? Is it that black and white?

 

[km112482]

I may be wrong, but I have read before that it is ok to notice the beauty of the opposite sex, but it is when those thoughts in your mind become a fantasy of something immoral you would be doing with that person is what is wrong or a mortal sin. I think I read this in the question and answer forums on ewtn awhile back. I hope that helps a little bit. Maybe when the thoughts begin to happen you should say a prayer to try to get it out of your head.

GOD BLESS, KERRI

 

[Tyler_Smedley]

If the thought is of grave nature, you gave full consent of the will, and you knew the concequinces, (sin) then it would be a motal sin. So an example would be lusting after someone in your mind, and going through the nuptual union in your mind…or severe blastmey against God…

 

[Genesis315]

We all have bad thoughts pop into our minds now and then. The problem is if you willingly dwell on them. If you do your part to get it out of your mind you’re fine from how I understand things.