What falls into the definition of lust exactly? (adult question)

[SpeakKindly]

I used to go to a Protestant church that pretty much labeled anything that was sexual outside of marriage as lust. So I’m not sure what is and isn’t meant to be called lust.

For example would lust not be an act, but more of an internal disorder towards sex? If so, then it would be possible to look at sex acts with your spouse in such a disordered way that it becomes lust (like having sex with them because you are aroused and want pleasure instead of masturbating)?

Or would lust be any act outside of marriage, like mutual masturbation, premarital sex, sexual groping, making out, etc? I’d assume not and simply label some of those as fornication, or with a more general label of sexual immorality.

 

[Lamentation]

I used to go to a Protestant church that pretty much labeled anything that was sexual outside of marriage as lust. So I’m not sure what is and isn’t meant to be called lust.

For example would lust not be an act, but more of an internal disorder towards sex? If so, then it would be possible to look at sex acts with your spouse in such a disordered way that it becomes lust (like having sex with them because you are aroused and want pleasure instead of masturbating)?

Or would lust be any act outside of marriage, like mutual masturbation, premarital sex, sexual groping, making out, etc? I’d assume not and simply label some of those as fornication, or with a more general label of sexual immorality.

Try this:
Lust - Catholic Encyclopedia

 

[Vico]

I used to go to a Protestant church that pretty much labeled anything that was sexual outside of marriage as lust. So I’m not sure what is and isn’t meant to be called lust.

For example would lust not be an act, but more of an internal disorder towards sex? If so, then it would be possible to look at sex acts with your spouse in such a disordered way that it becomes lust (like having sex with them because you are aroused and want pleasure instead of masturbating)?

Or would lust be any act outside of marriage, like mutual masturbation, premarital sex, sexual groping, making out, etc? I’d assume not and simply label some of those as fornication, or with a more general label of sexual immorality.

It covers both thoughts and actions. The sixth commandment is act primarily whereas the ninth commandment is thought primarily.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
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.
**Baltimore Catechism No. 3Q. 1282. What are we commanded by the sixth Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the sixth Commandment to be pure in thought and modest in all our looks, words, and actions.

Q. 1284. What is forbidden by the sixth Commandment?
A. The sixth Commandment forbids all unchaste freedom with another’s wife or husband; also all immodesty with ourselves or others in looks, dress, words, and actions

Q. 1317. What is forbidden by the ninth Commandment?
A. The ninth Commandment forbids unchaste thoughts, desires of another’s wife or husband, and all other unlawful impure thoughts and desires.

Q. 1318. Are impure thoughts and desires always sins?
A. Impure thoughts and desires are always sins, unless they displease us and we try to banish them.

Q. 1324. In what does the sixth commandment differ from the ninth, and the seventh differ from the tenth?
A. The sixth commandment differs from the ninth in this, that the sixth refers chiefly to external acts of impurity, while the ninth refers more to sins of thought against purity. The seventh commandment refers chiefly to external acts of dishonesty, while the tenth refers more to thoughts against honesty.