Valid confession?

[mr1234]

I’m curious if this was a valid confession.

I have trouble with porn and when the priest asked if I was making an effort to combat it, I hesitated (and he emphasized that if I wasn’t trying he could not give me absolution). I am, but I’m not sure how much I am or if it’s enough. I ultimately answered yes, but I still question whether it was a sincere confession on my part and if I will have to go back.

I also question it because I was planning (and did) happen to see that new James Bond movie that same day which happens to have mild references to sex, ans felt like I could have been confessing with the intent to put myself in a bad situation.

 

[RPRPsych]

I’m curious if this was a valid confession.

I have trouble with porn and when the priest asked if I was making an effort to combat it, I hesitated (and he emphasized that if I wasn’t trying he could not give me absolution). I am, but I’m not sure how much I am or if it’s enough. I ultimately answered yes, but I still question whether it was a sincere confession on my part and if I will have to go back.

I also question it because I was planning (and did) happen to see that new James Bond movie that same day which happens to have mild references to sex, ans felt like I could have been confessing with the intent to put myself in a bad situation.

Well, not all of us have perfect contrition. The Church has always distinguished between perfect contrition and imperfect contrition (also called attrition). Similarly, how hard we “try” can depend on a variety of circumstances. The fact that you’d gone to confession itself does mean that you were trying at some level. However, if your conscience still reproaches you, don’t lose sleep over the validity of the Sacrament; instead, try harder, so that you can give a more sincere answer next time.

And a James Bond film (at least the ones I’ve seen) is not pornography. Of course, the last one I saw was Goldeneye*, so I’m not sure if they’ve gotten worse since then…

• I’m not really a movie person.

 

[R_C]

Did you had the deliberate intention to deceive the priest when you answered yes? That is, did you willfully lie to him?

Or was your hesitation moved by your awareness of how weak we are before these temptations, but ultimately deep in your soul you have chosen Christ over Satan?

Because we can only serve one of two masters.

If your mind is set on being a good Christian and your intention is to reject lust and to not willfully consent to watch such material and such was your yes, then it was a most sincere yes.

The very fact that you feel the impulse to confess these sins is an indication that you are penitent. Penitent does not mean saint. You still struggle with the vice (because a vice takes time, effort, suffering to be eradicated) but your intention, your spirit, is focused on and walking toward Christ, rather than away from Him.

I cannot help it but smile at the idea that you are worried about the movie While I prefer to avoid all reference to sex in movies (which is almost impossible today) the fact that you intend to watch the movie is not the same as intending to watch something else…there were other reasons that moved you to watch that movie…I myself like the James Bond movies (at least the ones with Sean Connery) though they certainly don’t set a good example in terms of morality

Remember that God does not ask the impossible of us. Nowadays I’d rather avoid movies that may tempt me (especially to lust) and worst-case I’d wait until I can watch it on tv or dvd and skip any such segment The problem being that we hardly understand that we are already supposed to give up the unnecessary in order to better serve Christ (which does not mean removing times for recreation in our life). If you think something may tempt you to sin, give it up right away. It may be a sacrifice, perhaps, but it will earn you a hundredfold in the eyes of the Lord.

Remember: the yoke of Christ is a light burden Smile, relax, and try to serve God the best you can. Don’t be burdened by the fear of the divine justice, but be full of joy with the infinite greatness of the divine mercy, and know that Christ, by His own words, said that He did not come to judge or condemn, but to call sinners to repentance that they may be saved through Him.

I recommend becoming more devout to Our Lady and praying with an icon or before a statue of her in order to become a good disciple of the school of chastity: once you learn to love her pristine purity, you will slowly develop a disgust for anything that distorts it. I reached a point where any lustful image moves me to feel great sorrow for the actors involved, especially the ladies. It’s very sad. Pray to the Blessed Virgin and you will notice the difference. When tempted, move away and imagine Her smiling and talking to the Lord. Such thoughts can trigger an amazing light in the soul

 

[Mark121359]

Did you had the deliberate intention to deceive the priest when you answered yes? That is, did you willfully lie to him?

Or was your hesitation moved by your awareness of how weak we are before these temptations, but ultimately deep in your soul you have chosen Christ over Satan?

Because we can only serve one of two masters.

If your mind is set on being a good Christian and your intention is to reject lust and to not willfully consent to watch such material and such was your yes, then it was a most sincere yes.

The very fact that you feel the impulse to confess these sins is an indication that you are penitent. Penitent does not mean saint. You still struggle with the vice (because a vice takes time, effort, suffering to be eradicated) but your intention, your spirit, is focused on and walking toward Christ, rather than away from Him.

I cannot help it but smile at the idea that you are worried about the movie While I prefer to avoid all reference to sex in movies (which is almost impossible today) the fact that you intend to watch the movie is not the same as intending to watch something else…there were other reasons that moved you to watch that movie…I myself like the James Bond movies (at least the ones with Sean Connery) though they certainly don’t set a good example in terms of morality

Remember that God does not ask the impossible of us. Nowadays I’d rather avoid movies that may tempt me (especially to lust) and worst-case I’d wait until I can watch it on tv or dvd and skip any such segment The problem being that we hardly understand that we are already supposed to give up the unnecessary in order to better serve Christ (which does not mean removing times for recreation in our life). If you think something may tempt you to sin, give it up right away. It may be a sacrifice, perhaps, but it will earn you a hundredfold in the eyes of the Lord.

Remember: the yoke of Christ is a light burden Smile, relax, and try to serve God the best you can. Don’t be burdened by the fear of the divine justice, but be full of joy with the infinite greatness of the divine mercy, and know that Christ, by His own words, said that He did not come to judge or condemn, but to call sinners to repentance that they may be saved through Him.

I recommend becoming more devout to Our Lady and praying with an icon or before a statue of her in order to become a good disciple of the school of chastity: once you learn to love her pristine purity, you will slowly develop a disgust for anything that distorts it. I reached a point where any lustful image moves me to feel great sorrow for the actors involved, especially the ladies. It’s very sad. Pray to the Blessed Virgin and you will notice the difference. When tempted, move away and imagine Her smiling and talking to the Lord. Such thoughts can trigger an amazing light in the soul

This is what I love most about CAF! Great responses like this!