What is the difference between sin and temptation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter freesoulhope
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

freesoulhope

Guest
If this is somewhere else im sorry, but please give me all the links you can possibly manifest.

I am suffering terribly with temptations. I am having difficulty defining the difference between temptation and sin. For instance, When i prey the rosary, perveted foughts about mary being to bombard my brain. I all ways tell them to go away but they keep on attacking me, all the way through a session. Some times i get attacked by sins i have already confessed and been fogiven for, and i end up confessing the same sin to a preist, out of paranoia.

When i read the bible or anything to do with God, i am tormented to the point, that im allmost freaking out. Sometimes i get phantom pains, pains that are not real, but torment me, i cant get it out of my head. Whats going on! 😦
 
My best guess on the difference is that temptation is the opportunity for sin to take place while sin is giving into that temptation.

It’s not a sin to be tempted, but it’s how we act to the temptation that determines whether or not the action is a sin.
 
Dear freesoulhope - I agree with the explaination that LR THUNDER offers. I, and I would guess everyone, deals with this difficulty and some members of these forums have offered ways to deal with bad thoughts and tempations through prayer and perseverance in your struggle. Look at it as a cross that you may sometimes bear and that you can ask Our Lord to help you bear it. Read the lives of the Saints, these holy ones battled this daily. You are not alone- that’s no great revelation. Place it in Our Lady’s hands, She will always help you. Say the Memorare. I 'll pray for you too.
 
James has a pretty good summary of the difference.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:12-15, NKJV)
Click to expand...
I guess a good exhortation to draw from this passage would be to practice “spiritual contraception” where our own thoughts (those that draw us away from the things of God) are concerned.

Another explanation of the difference between temptations and sins comes from someone who said, “You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair.”

DaveBj
 
As a wise man once said - you cannot keep the birds from flying overhead (temptation) but you CAN keep them from making a nest in your hair (sin).
 
Temptation is the invitation to sin. It’s the desire to gratify one’s disordered passions in a way that violates the divine law. Sin involves giving in to and acting out these disordered impulses in knowing violation of the ten commandments.
A wonderful classic called “Sin and Its Consequences” by Cardinal Edward Manning (I think that’s his name) goes in depth about the insidious nature of sin and how to combat its ill effects in our lives. It’s a hard read that’s unsettingly frank but a must buy for any serious practicing Catholic.
 
Freesoulhope, keep persevering my friend! I had something similar happen to me, I kept telling those thoughts to go away, or swear words to get out of my head. I fought and prayed for the grace to keep fighting my temptation. Through prayer it has become very easy to ward off temptation. I know how difficult this is Freesoul but so long as you keep fighting those thoughts. Do not entertain those thoughts even once; do not allow them in even once, keep fighting. It will become easier. Things will get better. Know that. God love you.

-Alison
 
Brother / sister the difference between sin and temptation is that temptation is the thought coming to our mind. The sin is the actiing upon it in our minds.
What I do should I get these thoughts is to say
“No Lord I rebuke these thoughts and give praise to Jesus Christ. Lord bless that person, or, be blessed by what you do Lord, I love you and only you my Lord and God.
Oh most Holy Trinity of Love it is to you I give myself for ever to do with what you will”…
These weaknesses we all have, are the points the adverser attacks. He relies on these weaknesses to gain a strong whold on our soul, trieing to drag us down.
We have the strength in Jesus Christ to fight this. I would always fight him by repeatedly telling all thoughts to give praise to Jesus Christ because thats what he cannot do. I would also rebuke him in the name of Jesus Christ. and command him to go straight to the feet of Jesus Christ for his judgment.
I would also sing songs of praise and at that time put my whole mind inito praising in song in my mind so cutting out the thoughts. You have to keep on doing this untill they go and they do. The main point here is that you also train your thought patterns to change to better thoughts.

God loves us we must invite the Holy Spirit to come in and embead Himself in us each day, close our eyes tell the Holy Spirit we can’t do without Him, love Him prais Him and feel His presence (this comes over time).
Ask God how much He loves you, you will be surprised at the answer you get. Don’t think of the adverser telling you other wise.
God bless
Wayne
 
Mark Robert:
Temptation is the invitation to sin. It’s the desire to gratify one’s disordered passions in a way that violates the divine law. Sin involves giving in to and acting out these disordered impulses in knowing violation of the ten commandments.
A wonderful classic called “Sin and Its Consequences” by Cardinal Edward Manning (I think that’s his name) goes in depth about the insidious nature of sin and how to combat its ill effects in our lives. It’s a hard read that’s unsettingly frank but a must buy for any serious practicing Catholic.
Click to expand...
Do you know of any free stuff, I like apoligists that say it how it is, and dont try to make rosey gestures. Im really poor! 😦 but im okay 🙂
 
40.png
Alison:
Freesoulhope, keep persevering my friend! I had something similar happen to me, I kept telling those thoughts to go away, or swear words to get out of my head. I fought and prayed for the grace to keep fighting my temptation. Through prayer it has become very easy to ward off temptation. I know how difficult this is Freesoul but so long as you keep fighting those thoughts. Do not entertain those thoughts even once; do not allow them in even once, keep fighting. It will become easier. Things will get better. Know that. God love you.

-Alison
Click to expand...
Thank’s, i apreciate the love, God bless! 🙂
 
Grace & Peace!

Freesoulhope, with regard to your stuggle during prayer, repeating the opening 2 verses of Psalm 68 may be helpful as a way to pull focus back to your purpose and may also serve to help dissipate these unwanted thoughts. These verses figure prominently in the ritual of exorcism.

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;
let those who hate him flee before Him.

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
as wex melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God."

This traditional invocation of St. Michael may also be helpful to you:

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen.

Trans:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Under the Mercy,
Mark

Deo Gratias!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top