Which Do I Confess: Masturbation or Fantasizing?

[LemmeThink4aSec]

Thank you for asking this question. I know that to some it’s scrupulous or unimportant, but I have been wondering this same thing for a while now.
I broke the habit of masturbation and it was difficult, but I have not yet stopped fantasizing. I’m trying. The reason I would like to have a clear distinction drawn is because I know that masturbation is a mortal sin that means I cannot take Communion at Mass when I commit it. I need to know if fantasizing is the same as masturbation so that I’m sure I can’t receive Jesus, before passing Him up.
As far as Confession, I just confess “impure thoughts”.

 

[TrueLight]

he reason I would like to have a clear distinction drawn is because I know that masturbation is a mortal sin that means I cannot take Communion at Mass when I commit it. I need to know if fantasizing is the same as masturbation so that I’m sure I can’t receive Jesus, before passing Him up.
As far as Confession, I just confess “impure thoughts”.

Good point.

 

[hazcompat]

The Philokalia:

A clear rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied. When the Apostle said, ‘Make no provision to fulfill the desires of the flesh’ (Rom. 13:14), he was not forbidding us to provide for the needs of life; he was warning us against self-indulgence. Moreover, by itself abstinence from food does not contribute to perfect purity of soul unless the other virtues are active as well. Humility, for example, practiced through obedience in our work and through bodily hardship, is a great help. If we avoid avarice not only by having no money, but also by not wanting to have any, this leads us towards purity of soul. Freedom from anger, from dejection, self-esteem and pride also contributes to purity of soul in general, while self-control and fasting are especially important for bringing about that specific purity of soul which comes through restraint and moderation. No one whose stomach is full can fight mentally against the demon of unchastity. Our initial struggle therefore must be to gain control of our stomach and to bring our body into subjection not only through fasting but also through vigils, labors and spiritual, reading, and through concentrating our heart on fear of Gehenna and on longing for the kingdom of heaven.

peace

 

[Vico]

Thank you for asking this question. I know that to some it’s scrupulous or unimportant, but I have been wondering this same thing for a while now.
I broke the habit of masturbation and it was difficult, but I have not yet stopped fantasizing. I’m trying. The reason I would like to have a clear distinction drawn is because I know that masturbation is a mortal sin that means I cannot take Communion at Mass when I commit it. I need to know if fantasizing is the same as masturbation so that I’m sure I can’t receive Jesus, before passing Him up.
As far as Confession, I just confess “impure thoughts”.

Thoughts can also be sinful, when entertained.

Baltimore Catechism No. 3 - Lesson 34 has:

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.

 

[GwenL]

Personally I am still stuck with my kernal of truth and running 12 miles a day. Personally, I would just tell him whatever it was you did. There only so much a Pastor can take so, remember once the priests know you for something don’t bother coming around to confess the same sins over and over. Find a new Catholic Chruch around the corner or the other city.

The last two sentences are terrible advice. If you commit the same sins over and over, you should confess those same sins over and over. It’s the only way you will defeat them, with the grace of the sacrament. Why in the world would you want to go to a different church?

I once said to my confessor, “I keep confessing the same old sins.” He said, “what, you want new sins?”

Lustful thoughts, when they invade your mind without your invitation, are a temptation and not a sin. Perhaps you see an attractive person, someone makes a suggestive remark, you see something on TV or a billboard. Sometimes your automatic reaction is stimulation and desire. That is how we are wired as humans–if we didn’t have that reaction, the race would die out pretty quick. That automatic reaction is not sinful if you reject it. (note, I’m not talking about the reaction a married person has to their spouse) You did not will to see that picture or hear that suggestion. Lustful thoughts become sinful when you entertain them–keep them, work them around, build your fantasy, etc. Here, your will is involved–you decide to keep the thought and build a fantasy. When you entertain them to the point of committing a sexual act in your mind, I think you have mortally sinned.

 

[The_Reginator]

The Philokalia:

A clear rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied. When the Apostle said, ‘Make no provision to fulfill the desires of the flesh’ (Rom. 13:14), he was not forbidding us to provide for the needs of life; he was warning us against self-indulgence. Moreover, by itself abstinence from food does not contribute to perfect purity of soul unless the other virtues are active as well. Humility, for example, practiced through obedience in our work and through bodily hardship, is a great help. If we avoid avarice not only by having no money, but also by not wanting to have any, this leads us towards purity of soul. Freedom from anger, from dejection, self-esteem and pride also contributes to purity of soul in general, while self-control and fasting are especially important for bringing about that specific purity of soul which comes through restraint and moderation. No one whose stomach is full can fight mentally against the demon of unchastity. Our initial struggle therefore must be to gain control of our stomach and to bring our body into subjection not only through fasting but also through vigils, labors and spiritual, reading, and through concentrating our heart on fear of Gehenna and on longing for the kingdom of heaven.

peace

Well said hazcompat!

 

[LemmeThink4aSec]

The last two sentences are terrible advice. If you commit the same sins over and over, you should confess those same sins over and over. It’s the only way you will defeat them, with the grace of the sacrament. Why in the world would you want to go to a different church?

I once said to my confessor, “I keep confessing the same old sins.” He said, “what, you want new sins?”

Lustful thoughts, when they invade your mind without your invitation, are a temptation and not a sin. Perhaps you see an attractive person, someone makes a suggestive remark, you see something on TV or a billboard. Sometimes your automatic reaction is stimulation and desire. That is how we are wired as humans–if we didn’t have that reaction, the race would die out pretty quick. That automatic reaction is not sinful if you reject it. (note, I’m not talking about the reaction a married person has to their spouse) You did not will to see that picture or hear that suggestion. Lustful thoughts become sinful when you entertain them–keep them, work them around, build your fantasy, etc. Here, your will is involved–you decide to keep the thought and build a fantasy. When you entertain them to the point of committing a sexual act in your mind, I think you have mortally sinned.

Thank you I think I agree.