When is 'entertaining a sinful though' a sin?

[rc1]

When Satan tempts us with a vile/lustfull image, and, if one had an addiction in the past to lustful things, how is ‘entertaining a sinful thought’ defined?

What I struggle with - a lot - is when such an image comes up (or even a few in a row when I have forcefully rejected a previous one) , and for one of them I don’t immediately reject it.

We’re talking less than 5 (max 10) seconds here, but for some of them I seem to ‘drift’ or ‘choose’ or ‘wander’ or even ‘entertain’ them.

If you ask me a few minutes later, I probably am dwelling in ‘guilt’ and trying to decide whether it was a sin or not. Also, in general, I would not want such things.

This happens * A LOT * (I should add 20 asterisks)

I seem to want to know if that ‘split second time’ I did not reject it immediately is sin or not.

Yes I know that I should focus less on myself and more on the Lord, though some advice in this matter would be helpful I think…

 

[Irish_Becca]

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. After the thought enters your mind and you become conscious of it, shake your head and pray for God’s strength. If you are continued to be bothered by the lustful thought and can’t get it out of your mind, then are burdened with anxiety about it, you may have a problem with scrupulosity. I understand that, because I struggled with that A LOT before I got treatment for it. If you think this may be a problem for you, you should ask a priest for guidance.

 

[kristie_m]

I’m not sure if this is the “right” answer or not, but I tend to draw the line at this: If I am having the thought, and a realize that continuing to think about it would be sinful…if I do not reject it at that point, then it’s a sin. I am usually aware of the fact that I shouldn’t be entertaining the thought, before my conscience starts to bug me.

Hope that helps a little…

 

[August_Ambrose]

When Satan tempts us with a vile/lustfull image, and, if one had an addiction in the past to lustful things, how is ‘entertaining a sinful thought’ defined?

What I struggle with - a lot - is when such an image comes up (or even a few in a row when I have forcefully rejected a previous one) , and for one of them I don’t immediately reject it.

We’re talking less than 5 (max 10) seconds here, but for some of them I seem to ‘drift’ or ‘choose’ or ‘wander’ or even ‘entertain’ them.

If you ask me a few minutes later, I probably am dwelling in ‘guilt’ and trying to decide whether it was a sin or not. Also, in general, I would not want such things.

This happens * A LOT * (I should add 20 asterisks)

I seem to want to know if that ‘split second time’ I did not reject it immediately is sin or not.

Yes I know that I should focus less on myself and more on the Lord, though some advice in this matter would be helpful I think…

You seem to be in the occassion of sin a lot. Yes, the entertaining of a sinful thought is actually committing that sin. Remember what Jesus said about the man who committed adultery in his heart? If you take pleasure in a sinful thought, for just a moment, that is the sin of desire.Try this; its impossible to commit a sin while praying.!! Though you may be able to stop praying and have a lustful thought, but if you work on it, you can stop. Can you really meditate on the ‘‘blessed womb, Jesus’’ and have a sinful thought, man, you have it bad. If you want to save your soul, don’t do the things you do that are the occassion of the sin, even if you have to leave town.
The womans body is beautiful the Image and Likeness of our Creator. Think of your mothers body, how wonderful it was that she gave birth to you. If you still lust, you need professional help.
God Bless you and may he have mercy of your soul :

 

[rc1]

Hi Irish Becca,

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment.

True.

After the thought enters your mind and you become conscious of it, shake your head and pray for God’s strength.

I do react (shake arm - i.e. wave it away, head, say ‘no’, etc.), and sometimes way to forcefully at that

I don’t pray enough in those moments. Noted…

If you are continued to be bothered by the lustful thought and can’t get it out of your mind, then are burdened with anxiety about it, you may have a problem with scrupulosity.

I do… This thread lists a bit more about me.

I understand that, because I struggled with that A LOT before I got treatment for it.

What did you do for treatment if I may ask?

I’ve read ‘A thousand frightening fantasies’ partly (felt it was enough at the time and stopped), which was intense, but good. Maybe I should take it up again.

Thank you for the prayer! It helped.

 

[rc1]

Hi Kristie,

I’m not sure if this is the “right” answer or not, but I tend to draw the line at this: If I am having the thought, and a realize that continuing to think about it would be sinful…if I do not reject it at that point, then it’s a sin.

To me it seems so hard to qualify this, and if I do, then I doubt what I just qualified. I think the ‘doubting’ is allowed because I rely to much on my own strength. Pride…

I think the main point is for me to focus on God and our Holy Mother, and not on my own understanding.

 

[rc1]

You seem to be in the occassion of sin a lot.

Who isn’t?

Yes, the entertaining of a sinful thought is actually committing that sin.

On what is your statement based? Could you quote an authoritative source? I think you will find that though there is some Truth in your statement, there are surrounding factors that are missing from that statement.

Also;

2515 Etymologically, “concupiscence” can refer to any intense form of human desire. Christian theology has given it a particular meaning: the movement of the sensitive appetite contrary to the operation of the human reason. The apostle St. Paul identifies it with the rebellion of the “flesh” against the “spirit.” Concupiscence stems from the disobedience of the first sin. It unsettles man’s moral faculties and, without being in itself an offense, inclines man to commit sins.

2516 Because man is a composite being, spirit and body, there already exists a certain tension in him; a certain struggle of tendencies between “spirit” and “flesh” develops. But in fact this struggle belongs to the heritage of sin. It is a consequence of sin and at the same time a confirmation of it. It is part of the daily experience of the spiritual battle:

For the Apostle it is not a matter of despising and condemning the body which with the spiritual soul constitutes man’s nature and personal subjectivity. Rather, he is concerned with the morally good or bad works, or better, the permanent dispositions - virtues and vices - which are the fruit of submission (in the first case) or of resistance (in the second case) to the saving action of the Holy Spirit. For this reason the Apostle writes: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

Bold highlights added.

Good that I found that last quote (For the Apostle…), surely something I can use myself.

Remember what Jesus said about the man who committed adultery in his heart? If you take pleasure in a sinful thought, for just a moment, that is the sin of desire.

I think you are right.

Try this; its impossible to commit a sin while praying.!! Though you may be able to stop praying and have a lustful thought, but if you work on it, you can stop.

I think you’re in the middle here.

Can you really meditate on the ‘‘blessed womb, Jesus’’ and have a sinful thought, man, you have it bad. If you want to save your soul, don’t do the things you do that are the occassion of the sin, even if you have to leave town.

I think you’re quite incorrect here. The last time it happened (an hour ago orso), I was actually looking at a Crucifix. And, for those that are reading this and that struggle with this, it’s quite common, you’re not alone.

God Bless you and may he have mercy of your soul :

I hope He may Bless us all and have Mercy on us all.

 

[Newbie2]

I’m not sure if this is the “right” answer or not, but I tend to draw the line at this: If I am having the thought, and a realize that continuing to think about it would be sinful…if I do not reject it at that point, then it’s a sin. I am usually aware of the fact that I shouldn’t be entertaining the thought, before my conscience starts to bug me.

Hope that helps a little…

Good answer!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

THREAD DRIFT:

Our old Irish monseigneur had a favorite joke of the young man who confesses having impure thoughts. The priest asks him if he entertained them. He replied, :No Father. They were entertaining me."

 

[kristie_m]

THREAD DRIFT:

Our old Irish monseigneur had a favorite joke of the young man who confesses having impure thoughts. The priest asks him if he entertained them. He replied, :No Father. They were entertaining me."

worth the drift!

 

[Irish_Becca]

Hi Irish Becca,

True.

I do react (shake arm - i.e. wave it away, head, say ‘no’, etc.), and sometimes way to forcefully at that

I don’t pray enough in those moments. Noted…

I do… This thread lists a bit more about me.

What did you do for treatment if I may ask?

I’ve read ‘A thousand frightening fantasies’ partly (felt it was enough at the time and stopped), which was intense, but good. Maybe I should take it up again.

Thank you for the prayer! It helped.

I’m sorry it’s taken me a couple of days to reply!

I was diagnosed with OCD. My fear about intrusive thoughts began taking over my life. I had a lot of problems with things that logically I knew were ridiculous - logically, I knew I was not committing a sin, but emotionally, I couldn’t shake the fear. For instance, if I were holding my infant son, then started to think about sex with my husband, I would fear that I was molesting my son, which, of course, is ridiculous. But, for hours afterwards I would cry and confess over and over to my husband, and ask assurance from him. It was actually a priest who told me I might have a problem with OCD. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Zoloft, and my symptoms are gone.

 

[irishpatrick]

When Satan tempts us with a vile/lustfull image, and, if one had an addiction in the past to lustful things, how is ‘entertaining a sinful thought’ defined?

What I struggle with - a lot - is when such an image comes up (or even a few in a row when I have forcefully rejected a previous one) , and for one of them I don’t immediately reject it.

We’re talking less than 5 (max 10) seconds here, but for some of them I seem to ‘drift’ or ‘choose’ or ‘wander’ or even ‘entertain’ them.

If you ask me a few minutes later, I probably am dwelling in ‘guilt’ and trying to decide whether it was a sin or not. Also, in general, I would not want such things.

This happens * A LOT * (I should add 20 asterisks)

I seem to want to know if that ‘split second time’ I did not reject it immediately is sin or not.

Yes I know that I should focus less on myself and more on the Lord, though some advice in this matter would be helpful I think…

What follows is simply my suggestions, I hope they help, yet use them as you see fit:

If I may, I’d like to suggest you say the following prayers throughout the day, and say them many times when you feel these thoughts overtaking you:

*Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection 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 Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

O Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Court, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.

O Glorious St. Michael, I love you!

I Glorious St. Michael, help me!*

Further, ask your Guardian Angel to help you and always call upon Our Lady Mary to help during those times. Many people create names for their Guardian Angel and will call for their help by name when they need assitance. God, His Mother, and His Angels and Saints are there for us…call upon them in weakness and trouble.

My prayers are with you. God Bless.