Sins against purity

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MisterChef

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Recently I have been struggling with upholding the virture of purity, but I have been battling against temptation hard.

However, certain movies and other media with sexual content are causing me to think impurely and I am unsure about the severity of my sin.

For example, say I am watching a show and a sex scene shows up. Impure thoughts creep into my head. Maybe for 10 or so seconds I relish in the moment, but catch myself, look away, and try to think about something else until the scene is over.

In an instance like that, have I sinned? If so, to what degree? Is looking away not giving full consent for a mortal sin?
 
If you’re really that worried about it, why are you watching those movies? What is “impure” about thinking about sex anyway?
 
MisterChef said:
Recently I have been struggling with upholding the virture of purity, but I have been battling against temptation hard.

However, certain movies and other media with sexual content are causing me to think impurely and I am unsure about the severity of my sin.

For example, say I am watching a show and a sex scene shows up. Impure thoughts creep into my head. Maybe for 10 or so seconds I relish in the moment, but catch myself, look away, and try to think about something else until the scene is over.

In an instance like that, have I sinned? If so, to what degree? Is looking away not giving full consent for a mortal sin?
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I think you should check with your priest. That’s always the best place to start.

IMHO (and it’s just that), your actions are not sinful. But ask a priest.
 
Godmachine said:
If you’re really that worried about it, why are you watching those movies? What is “impure” about thinking about sex anyway?
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A man’s here asking for advice. If you have nothing useful to contribute, why bother posting?

To the OP: A mortal sin requires full consent of the will. How far this extends is tricky for me. A thought popping into my head immediately battled obviously enjoys no consent of the will. My intentionally fantasizing does. But a thought popping into my head and my delighting in it while my attentional faculties are otherwise occupied (e.g., while driving) seems like a gray zone. My parish priest, whom I’ve asked about this before, says no, it isn’t a mortal sin, so I suppose I trust his judgment on it. In the future, it would be best not to watch things at all that you know contain impure imagery if you can’t be a steward of your eyes and thoughts.
 
Prayer Against the Sins of the Flesh:
Jesus said this to a visionary:

(“Do you know that I was naked in the sight of all men so that you shall defeat and kill the desires of the flesh which lead to this sin of fornication and adultery? Children, my adversary used this sin to claim all men to himself — Any sinner who constantly prays this prayer will gain true repentance — The more you pray it the more many will return to me and leave fornication and adultery. Many people will be lost due to the sins of the flesh. Work hard to save souls —”)
…

Prayer:
Holy and Merciful Father, Your only-begotten Son is standing naked in the sight of all men, so that Your people will know and fear Your Holy Law. Accept my humble prayer for all Your people who are living under iniquity, fornication and adultery, that through all the shame and disgrace of Your only-begotten Son, You will touch their lives for repentance and save them. May they, through the Precious Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, which I plead to fall on their hearts, gain repentance and be saved and through His shame make them bold for repentance. Amen.

Think of Jesus who was naked on the cross dying,bleeding,scourged,wounded,and his skin torn and shred to pieces and exposing bones.He died because of our sins,and most importantly because he loved us all.

Prayer to take Authority:

IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I TAKE AUTHORITY AND I BIND ALL THE POWERS AND FORCES IN THE AIR, IN THE GROUND, IN THE WATER, IN THE UNDERGROUND, IN THE NETHERWORLD, IN NATURE AND IN FIRE. YOU ARE THE LORD OVER THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE AND I GIVE YOU THE GLORY FOR YOUR CREATION. IN YOUR NAME, I BIND ALL DEMONIC FORCES THAT HAVE COME AGAINST US AND OUR FAMILIES AND I SEAL ALL OF US IN THE PROTECTION OF YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD THAT WAS SHED FOR US ON THE CROSS.

MARY OUR MOTHER, WE SEEK YOUR PROTECTION AND INTERCESSION, WITH THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS, FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES AND SURROUND US WITH YOUR MANTLE OF LOVE TO DISCOURAGE THE ENEMY.

ST. MICHAEL AND OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS, COME DEFEND US AND OUR FAMILIES IN BATTLE AGAINST ALL THE EVIL ONES THAT ROAM THE EARTH.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I BIND AND COMMAND ALL THE POWERS AND FORCES OF EVIL TO DEPART RIGHT NOW AWAY FROM US, OUR FAMILIES, OUR HOMES, AND OUR LANDS AND I CAST YOU AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS TO REMAIN THERE FOREVER. AND I THANK YOU LORD JESUS FOR YOU ARE A FAITHFUL AND COMPASSIONATE GOD, AMEN.
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PRAYER TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

LORD Jesus by faith in Your merits,
I now take Your Precious Blood
and sprinkle it over myself and my family
right from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet.
I claim total and complete protection for my life and my family.
Lord Jesus, keep me free today from evil, sin, temptation,
Satan’s attacks and afflictions,
fear of darkness, fear of man,
sickness, diseases, doubts, anger, all calamities
and from all that is not of Your Kingdom.

Fill me Lord Jesus with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit
and grant me the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, understanding and discernment, so that I will live today in Your Glory by doing what is right.

I praise You Jesus, I thank You Jesus,

I love You Jesus, I adore You Jesus.
 
I think we’ve all been guilty of seeing something and having impure thoughts race through our mind. It happens, we are human, and so long as we do not dwell on thoughts regarding that which is sinful for too long I don’t believe there is anything to terribly wrong with it.

Now acting upon that which you may dwell upon in your mind will most likely be sinful, grave/mortal sin. I’d recommend talking to a Priest and refraining from anything that you question which causes you to feel this way about your own personal purity.
 
The same thing happens to me. I’ll be watching a TV show or movie and there will be some little moment that causes me to start having impure thoughts. Like you, they sometimes last for a few seconds before I fully realize that I have these thoughts which I should not be focusing on. I walk away from the show, and do something to get my mind off of it. I think it would only be sinful if you had that “aha!” moment of realizing that you shouldn’t be thinking about such things, yet willingly continued to do it.

Sexual impulses and thoughts are strong, and God knows this. Sometimes they are so strong that I feel like I just can’t shake them; that no matter what I am doing to get my mind off the subject, there is some little image continuing to float around in my mind like a fly circling my head that I just can’t swat.

The point is, when you realize you are being attacked by Satan and his little schemes, do you fight back? IMO, that’s the deciding factor of determining whether or not these things are a sin.
 
MisterChef said:
Recently I have been struggling with upholding the virture of purity, but I have been battling against temptation hard.

However, certain movies and other media with sexual content are causing me to think impurely and I am unsure about the severity of my sin.

For example, say I am watching a show and a sex scene shows up. Impure thoughts creep into my head. Maybe for 10 or so seconds I relish in the moment, but catch myself, look away, and try to think about something else until the scene is over.

In an instance like that, have I sinned? If so, to what degree? Is looking away not giving full consent for a mortal sin?
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I agree with talking to a priest if it bothers your conscience. Here are my thoughts though as a general christian (nondenominational but exploring Catholisism). We do have this urge to procreate…most animals have it and this is what makes us survive as a species. I do suggest comptemplating the kind of movies you watch. I thought I of all people would never say this but I have seen where media has a direct impact on society and behavior. If it is an issue then just don’t do it.
However, don’t beat yourself up over a thought because there is a HUGE difference between a random thought and indulging in it. If you allow yourself to indulge in it sooner or later you will go out and do it. Take it from someone who knows…the side of the fence you are on is far easier to stay on that the other side that you may want to peak into. Wait until you’re married. I never never never ever thought I would say that…
 
I was told in confession that it is not necessarily the duration of the thought but the consent given after you recognize that it is wrong. So if you are watching a movie and a scene pops up and you are entertaining yourself with impure thoughts it is likely that there will be that moment when you know that it is wrong and that you should stop. That is when the action becomes sinful because it is at that moment that you choose to either continue or to stop. A confessor once told me that temptation can be seen as a gift. I asked him why and he said,“Because it offers you the opportunity to choose God.” God bless you and keep up the good fight. We are all in there together so pray for me as I will for you…teachccd 🙂
 
teachccd said:
I was told in confession that it is not necessarily the duration of the thought but the consent given after you recognize that it is wrong. So if you are watching a movie and a scene pops up and you are entertaining yourself with impure thoughts it is likely that there will be that moment when you know that it is wrong and that you should stop. That is when the action becomes sinful because it is at that moment that you choose to either continue or to stop. A confessor once told me that temptation can be seen as a gift. I asked him why and he said,“Because it offers you the opportunity to choose God.” God bless you and keep up the good fight. We are all in there together so pray for me as I will for you…teachccd 🙂
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Thats pretty cool;)
 
teachccd said:
I was told in confession that it is not necessarily the duration of the thought but the consent given after you recognize that it is wrong. So if you are watching a movie and a scene pops up and you are entertaining yourself with impure thoughts it is likely that there will be that moment when you know that it is wrong and that you should stop. That is when the action becomes sinful because it is at that moment that you choose to either continue or to stop. A confessor once told me that temptation can be seen as a gift. I asked him why and he said,“Because it offers you the opportunity to choose God.” God bless you and keep up the good fight. We are all in there together so pray for me as I will for you…teachccd 🙂
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I definitely love what your confessor told you.

Awesome way of thinking about it.
 
teachccd said:
I was told in confession that it is not necessarily the duration of the thought but the consent given after you recognize that it is wrong. So if you are watching a movie and a scene pops up and you are entertaining yourself with impure thoughts it is likely that there will be that moment when you know that it is wrong and that you should stop. That is when the action becomes sinful because it is at that moment that you choose to either continue or to stop. A confessor once told me that temptation can be seen as a gift. I asked him why and he said,“Because it offers you the opportunity to choose God.” God bless you and keep up the good fight. We are all in there together so pray for me as I will for you…teachccd 🙂
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AWESOME!!! I hope you don’t mind me putting that in my sig line. Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given has come in confession.
 
Kenny_Kamel said:
AWESOME!!! I hope you don’t mind me putting that in my sig line. Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given has come in confession.
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That is really terrific!

At confession last Saturday, my priest said "The devil (evil one) will always win against you! Every time. Therefore, make sure that you choose God to be on your side. Then you can never lose!
 
Kenny_Kamel said:
AWESOME!!! I hope you don’t mind me putting that in my sig line. Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given has come in confession.
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I am honored that you would use that in your signature line. It is good advice and it allows one to recognize the bounderies especially for those who seem to be too hard on themselves …or too easy! God bless you…teachccd 🙂
 
fastenatingguy said:
That is really terrific!

At confession last Saturday, my priest said "The devil (evil one) will always win against you! Every time. Therefore, make sure that you choose God to be on your side. Then you can never lose!
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👍 👍
 
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