What constitutes impure thoughts?

[LookingForHelp7]

I have a question about the circumstances of sin. I don’t know that it’s “apologetics” exactly, but it’s moral theology and I would greatly appreciate your help, as someone who knows their faith inside out. Weighing this in my mind, I can’t tell if I’m too lax in conscience or to scrupulous.

On a couple occasions, I have brought the subject matter that could be impure into my mind.

Either hearing a joke, in response to some discussion of social behaviors, hearing a word or seeing an advertisement or thinking about the topic for any other reason.

So, in short, is thinking about impure things without the intent to derive impure pleasure from it a sin?

I never intended to take pleasure in it, but allowed it in my head anyhow. Also, some of those times, I really don’t know if/what my motive was, and I worry now it was for pleasure.

Any advice? I don’t know if I sinned.

 

[Cruciferi]

Either hearing a joke, in response to some discussion of social behaviors, hearing a word or seeing an advertisement or thinking about the topic for any other reason.

So long as you’re not actively participating, no that’s not a sin.

So, in short, is thinking about impure things without the intent to derive impure pleasure from it a sin?

This discussion brings to mind what constitutes impure thoughts… No, that’s not a sin if you’re critically thinking about the subject.

I never intended to take pleasure in it, but allowed it in my head anyhow. Also, some of those times, I really don’t know if/what my motive was, and I worry now it was for pleasure.

Look, if you’re actively dwelling on impure thoughts that’s a sin. However, you will have random stuff come into your mind that you cannot control. Don’t dwell on the thoughts, just let them go.

 

[Ron_Conte]

So, in short, is thinking about impure things without the intent to derive impure pleasure from it a sin?

Not necessarily. St. Thomas gives the example of thinking about impure things in his work writing moral theology, which is obviously moral thoughts. But the intent to derive impure pleasure is not the only possible sin. Always the love of God and neighbor should be the standard for judging the morality of acts.

And you know that the three fonts are the basis for Church teaching on morality, right?

 

[LookingForHelp7]

I guess my question, in the simplest terms, is-
Does sexual pleasure in a thought make it impure, or can it be impure without it, or any desire or seeking of it, based in its subject matter?

 

[vallancec]

Is there a person in your life you can talk to about this? A priest, some one you trust? Strangers on the internet are not the best source for these types of questions. I hope you find the answers you need.