Question About An Impure Thought

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Please bear in mind, I tend to be a bit scrupulous. A few minutes ago, I was looking around a movie website about information about a film I am currently watching. They had a list of films that were somewhat similar with poster images. One had a poster where someone was covered, but not by much, although enough. I clicked on that film’s listing and checked its content advisory. But I feared that maybe for a second or two I entertained impure thoughts about the poster. I just went to confession the other day, and I fear that I might have committed another mortal sin. Please advise!
 
If you can have any doubt that you may/may mot have entertained the thoughts, it is most likely you did not.

Do you have a spiritual director? they can really help you.
 
I kind of fear though that I did just for a moment or two. Maybe for like 5 to 10 seconds. It just makes me nervous. I just get so terrified around sins, and I hate it when I commit them.
 
Vbwc said:
Please bear in mind, I tend to be a bit scrupulous. A few minutes ago, I was looking around a movie website about information about a film I am currently watching. They had a list of films that were somewhat similar with poster images. One had a poster where someone was covered, but not by much, although enough. I clicked on that film’s listing and checked its content advisory. But I feared that maybe for a second or two I entertained impure thoughts about the poster. I just went to confession the other day, and I fear that I might have committed another mortal sin. Please advise!
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My advice would be to relax. Of course, once in a while, you’re going to see an attractive person of the gender to which you’re drawn. None of us can help that. But you seem to have a pretty good handle on keeping your thoughts in check.

Also, there’s nothing inherently sinful about appreciating beauty.
 
Vbwc said:
Please bear in mind, I tend to be a bit scrupulous. A few minutes ago, I was looking around a movie website about information about a film I am currently watching. They had a list of films that were somewhat similar with poster images. One had a poster where someone was covered, but not by much, although enough. I clicked on that film’s listing and checked its content advisory. But I feared that maybe for a second or two I entertained impure thoughts about the poster. I just went to confession the other day, and I fear that I might have committed another mortal sin. Please advise!
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Vb: Ask yourself, did Michaelangelo look for more than a few minutes at the models he used to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Is every artist who has painted a nude, or anyone who has inadvertently seen another partially clothed, so offensive to God that God will cast that person into hell for an inadvertent gaze at another human being? A human being that is God’s greatest creation, one in his own image and likeness, someone that God loves dearly. And, if you aren’t sure you committed a mortal sin, I think I am safe in saying your didn’t. Not really what we call sufficient reflection and full consent of the will necessary for mortal sin. Human desire of a sexual/sensual nature is a natural occurrence; we are wired that way and God did the wiring. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

If your glance caused your to entertain feelings of malice and intent to abuse another (or yourself for that matter), yes you have a valid question. But if you just happened to see something that seemed vaguely suggestive, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. (Except maybe a case of extreme scruples.) Might want to talk to a priest in confession about your concern. My two cents.
Shalom
 
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The issue is not sin but your scrupulous disposition.
Get a regular confessor whom you are prepared to go to regularly and not anonymously.
A scrupulous condition will not be overcome by getting advice from anonymous amateurs in an anonymous way.

Anyone who tries to answer your questions here is simply enabling you.
 
Wow. Happens to me all the time. My priest told me so long as you push the thought out of your mind quickly and move on your ok. But second hand confession info is not absolution. Additionally. I’m not a priest. But I did stay at a holiday inn last night. Sorry. Could not resist.
 
It’s hard to get into someone else’s head and judge what’s going on. A man can look at a woman without lust in his heart and look at a woman with lust in his heart. The latter is the sin. We know that temptations will come our way. As with Jesus who was tempted in the desert by Satan, we have the example of Him overcoming those temptations, particularly with scripture.

you spoke well of fleeing from sin, as well should we all. If I remember correctly, it’s psalm 58 which says “create in me a clean heart.” When I am tempted to have something, buy something I don’t really need (just want it), I have to pray, Jesus I need you. That not only helps deal with a temptation but reminds me of the right priorities.

The purpose - the real purpose – of our lives, is to serve God and present ourselves sinlessly to the Lord. It’s not to watch the latest movie or travel to Mars or to explore Io for signs of life. Everything is passing away. I’m pushing 69 years and there are a lot of things that really don’t matter to me so much anymore. Where God has permitted I’ve made a mark, taken lots of flak for my beliefs. Don’t let your environment control you. change your environment, or at least stand firm against what is evil.
 
Do you know the difference between a thought entering your mind and entertaining impure thoughts? If you don’t then I suggest talking to a priest about this and mentioning you have a tendency towards scrupulousity.
 
We can’t always control the thoughts which go through our minds.

The difference is in entertaining it.
 
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