Was this a mortal sin?

[HNA444]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, because I should already know this but I am not positive. I know sexual thoughts are sinful, but to what degree are they mortal? I used to have some thoughts about a guy that I liked,… sexual thoughts like kissing, making out, or just hugging. To be honest, I have tried not to have those thoughts anymore, and I don’t thank God. But, I think this was a mortal sin, and even though I don’t have them anymore, should I still confess it? Thank you!

 

[Ponyguy]

If these thoughts merely “show up uninvited,” there shouldn’t be a problem; however, if you consciously seek to entertain such thoughts, they might be a “source of temptation.”

Don’t be so hard on yourself… in my opinion, it should be okay for you to imagine a hug and a kiss from your “dream guy,” as he sweeps you away on his white horse and rides off with you into the sunset… but unless you act improperly upon those dreams, desires and thoughts, I see nothing amiss.

“If you don’t have a dream, how can you have a dream come true?”

 

[HNA444]

If these thoughts merely “show up uninvited,” there shouldn’t be a problem; however, if you consciously seek to entertain such thoughts, they might be a “source of temptation.”

Don’t be so hard on yourself… in my opinion, it should be okay for you to imagine a hug and a kiss from your “dream guy,” as he sweeps you away on his white horse and rides off with you into the sunset… but unless you act improperly upon those dreams, desires and thoughts, I see nothing amiss.

“If you don’t have a dream, how can you have a dream come true?”

So, you don’;t think having sexual thoughts is mortal? I thought they were. i mean im not saying like i was seeking them, but i guess i am human lol.

 

[HNA444]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, because I should already know this but I am not positive. I know sexual thoughts are sinful, but to what degree are they mortal? I used to have some thoughts about a guy that I liked,… sexual thoughts like kissing, making out, or just hugging. To be honest, I have tried not to have those thoughts anymore, and I don’t anymore, thank God. But, I think this was a mortal sin, and even though I don’t have them anymore, should I still confess it? Thank you!

 

[Ponyguy]

So, you don’;t think having sexual thoughts is mortal? I thought they were. i mean im not saying like i was seeking them, but i guess i am human lol.

I guess your and my concepts of “sexual thoughts” are a bit different. “Kissing” and “hugging” are actions I did today at Mass (at the “Kiss of Peace”) shortly before I distributed the Eucharist.

To me “sexual thoughts” encompasses entertaining… ummm… shall we say “thoughts about the mutually intimate events associated with the marriage embrace and potential procreation.” Perhaps the thoughts you mentioned were a little more of the racy and saucy sort, rather than the simple and ordinary…

Maybe someone better qualified than I am can shed a better light on your question; but I can’t see why thinking “sweet, loving thoughts” about a special friend is sinful. No sane person would consider becoming “lifetime serious” about someone without entertaining endearing thoughts about the target person. You’re human; at some point in time during courtship, the thoughts and consideration of procreative sex are bound to (and certainly must) occur. Just don’t dwell upon them and let them fly away with you.

Regards,
Ponyguy

 

[Joe_Brown]

CCC 2351 Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.

From the catechism. God bless.

 

[JRKH]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, because I should already know this but I am not positive. I know sexual thoughts are sinful, but to what degree are they mortal? I used to have some thoughts about a guy that I liked,… sexual thoughts like kissing, making out, or just hugging. To be honest, I have tried not to have those thoughts anymore, and I don’t thank God. But, I think this was a mortal sin, and even though I don’t have them anymore, should I still confess it? Thank you!

Here is how I determine if something is a mortal sin or not.
You had to KNOW it was a sin and not care.

If you knew such thoughts were sinful and deliberately chose to encourage them then it was mortally sinful - because the first (and mortal) sin was to reject God’s Love. To deliberately choose to offend God. To deliberately choose NOT to Love God with your whole heart, your whole mind and your whole spirit.
The thoughts themselves become secondary to that sin of rejecting God. They become only the means by which this rejection of God is manifested.

Do you understand my meaning?

If the above knowledge and defiance are part of the equation then the mortal sin is against the first commandment and the thoughts are the manifestation of that sin.
Confess both.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

From the Compendium of the Catechism

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

 

[Bookcat]

some thoughts can be good and innocent…others lustful etc

 

[Bookcat]

some kissing is good…other kissing is sinful…and can be mortally so…

thinking about the latter in some fantasy etc can also be likewise sinful …