Two questions about lustful thoughts

[DeoJuventute]

1.) When confessing lustful thoughts, is it okay to just say “lustful thought?” Or is it necessary to talk about what kind of lustful thoughts I have? For example, adultery is worse than fornication, but do I need to say that I’ve had thoughts about a married woman vs. an unmarried one? What about homosexual thoughts vs. thoughts about the opposite sex? Or thoughts about a 12 year old vs. thoughts about a 24 year old? “Lustful thoughts” can be about just about anything, so do I need to be more specific than just “lustful thoughts?”

2.) When does consent actually happen? Is there a time limit to having just having passing thoughts? I know the sin happens when there’s an act of the will, but what does that even mean? For example, if I look at the back of an attractive female and imagine her in her bra for a few seconds, without thinking about doing or seeing anything more, is that lust? Where does consent happen in all of that?

 

[ahs]

These are good discussion points to take to your confessor (your Priest).

Personally, I think there is a difference between a lustful thought about a 12-yr-old vs. a 24-yr-old because one is effectively a child while the other is an adult. So, there may be an underlying issue that your confessor needs to know about and address with you. Same thing with heterosexual vs. homosexual thoughts.

Consent means that you willfully commit the sin. A passing glance that puts an initial thought/image in your mind may not meet the criteria for consent. But if you ponder on that thought/image willfully in a sinful way, you are consenting to do that.

Anyway, I do suggest you ask your Priest these things.

 

[fred_conty]

If the mind wonders or drifts off to wrongfull thoughts without realizing it, there is no
sin because there is no consent. But if realizing what is going on and effort is not
made to discontinue it, then there is sin.

In confessing sin, not details are necessary unless it would change the sin.
I stold 5 dollars. But is was from an old woman and that was all she had.
I was impure. But it was an orgy.
If in doubt, ask.