
The Bible says that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). However, impure thoughts are not always mortal sins. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for a sin to be considered mortal, it must meet three conditions: the object is grave matter, it is committed with full knowledge, and there is deliberate consent. While impure thoughts always involve grave matter, they are not always committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. For example, if someone unintentionally sees something of a sexual nature on TV or in public, they cannot be held culpable for an unplanned event. However, if someone deliberately puts themselves in a position to have impure thoughts, it is likely a mortal sin.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Are impure thoughts mortal sins? | Only if you are opening yourself up to occasions or settings that are conducive to having impure thoughts. |
What constitutes a mortal sin? | Three conditions must be met: the object is grave matter, it is committed with full knowledge, and deliberate consent is given. |
What is grave matter? | Specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour your father and your mother. |
What is full knowledge? | Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God's law. |
What is deliberate consent? | It implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. |
What is the difference between impure thoughts and impure desires? | We sin grievously by impure thoughts when we take voluntary pleasure in them. We sin by impure desires when they are voluntary, i.e., when we perceive that what they aim at is a grievous violation of chastity, and yet use no violence to suppress them, but entertain them with pleasure. |
What You'll Learn
Impure thoughts are not sinful unless they are dwelled upon
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for a sin to be considered mortal, it must meet three conditions: the act must be of grave matter, be committed with full knowledge, and be committed with deliberate consent.
Sources suggest that impure thoughts are not sinful unless they are dwelled upon. For example, if one sees something of a sexual nature on TV or in public, one cannot be culpable for an unplanned event. However, if one opens themselves up to occasions or settings that are conducive to having impure thoughts, it is likely a mortal sin.
An impure thought can be a temptation to sin as it enters the mind, but it only becomes a sin when it is willed. Christ said, "Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This is a violation of the Ninth Commandment and a grave sin. However, an impure thought entering the mind is a temptation to lust, but is not lust itself. The mortal sin comes from choosing not to dismiss the thought but instead allowing the desire to be felt, an act of the will.
To summarise, impure thoughts are not sinful unless they are dwelled upon and acted upon with full knowledge and deliberate consent.
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Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent
Full knowledge means that the sinner is aware of the sinful nature of their act and its opposition to God's law. This implies a sufficient level of deliberation to constitute a personal choice. For example, if someone sees something of a sexual nature on TV that they did not expect, they cannot be held culpable for an unplanned event. On the other hand, if they deliberately seek out occasions or settings that are likely to evoke impure thoughts, this would likely constitute a mortal sin.
Complete consent implies that the sinner consents to the impure thoughts with full awareness of their sinful nature. This does not require a lengthy period of time; even a momentary indulgence in an impure thought with full knowledge can be considered a mortal sin. The progression from temptation to mortal sin typically involves the arousal of one's appetite, the delight or pleasure derived from the temptation, the mind's awareness of the evil or sinful nature of the temptation, and finally, the will's choice to entertain the temptation.
It is important to note that impure thoughts themselves are not necessarily sinful. They become sinful when they are willed or consented to with full knowledge. Unchaste thoughts can be venial or even non-sinful if they are involuntary or if the person resists and rejects them promptly.
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Unchaste thoughts can be mortal, venial, or not a sin at all
Unchaste thoughts are not necessarily willed, and therefore not necessarily sinful. Acts can only be sinful if they are willed. An unchaste thought entering the mind is a temptation to lust, but is not lust itself. The mortal sin comes from choosing not to dismiss the thought but instead allowing the desire to be felt—an act of the will.
Unchaste thoughts can be a mortal sin when they are entertained with full knowledge and deliberate consent. However, if the pleasure in the unchaste thought is involuntary, there is no sin committed. For example, if unchaste thoughts arise and one finds pleasure or sensual delight in them, but then resists as soon as one perceives that they are sinful, the pleasure is considered involuntary since the will offers resistance.
Unchaste thoughts can also be venial sins. This can occur when one does not purposely provoke or entertain unchaste thoughts and desires but is the cause of them through their own fault, such as when one allows themselves to participate in intimate familiarity with others, which they know can produce unchaste thoughts and desires. It can also happen when one yields to impure temptation out of inconsiderate curiosity, without taking pleasure in it.
Unchaste thoughts are not sinful when one finds displeasure in them and endeavours to banish them from their mind. As long as one does not wish to sin, they do not sin. Even if temptations against chastity are violent, frequent, or long-lasting, they are not considered sinful as long as one does not carelessly cause or consent to them.
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Impure thoughts are a violation of the Sixth and Ninth Commandments
Impure thoughts are not always sinful. For a sin to be considered mortal, it must meet three conditions: the object is grave matter, it is committed with full knowledge, and there is deliberate consent. An impure thought that enters the mind is a temptation to lust, but it is not lust itself. The mortal sin comes from choosing to entertain the thought and allowing desire to be felt, which is an act of the will.
Christ said, "Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mt 5:28). This is a violation of the ninth Commandment and a grave sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Ten Commandments "reveal, in their primordial content, grave obligations. They are fundamentally immutable, and they oblige always and everywhere. No one can dispense from them. The Ten Commandments are engraved by God in the human heart."
The Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), is rooted in integrity and honesty. It prohibits making false statements against our neighbor and applies to perjury, slander, and perversion of justice. It emphasizes the importance of truth and becoming more like God, who is truth and hates falsehood.
The Sixth Commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), is a direct prohibition against taking the life of another human being. It is a fundamental commandment that upholds the value and sanctity of human life.
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Fantasising can be harmful to the self and others
Fantasising can be harmful to oneself and others, especially when it becomes unhealthy. While fantasising is a common and healthy part of the human imagination, serving as a creative outlet and a means of relaxation, it can sometimes become detrimental to one's well-being.
Unhealthy fantasising is characterised by excessive time and energy spent on fantasies, using them as a means to escape reality and avoid facing real-life problems and emotions. It can lead to social isolation, impaired functioning in daily tasks, and negatively impact relationships. For example, when an individual neglects their real-life partner and becomes emotionally attached or obsessed with the object of their fantasies.
Additionally, obsessive thoughts and rumination can amplify fantasies, leading to further issues. Dissatisfaction with life or relationships, loneliness, and isolation can drive individuals to fantasise as a form of escapism, which, if left unchecked, can result in decreased self-esteem and heightened anxiety and depression.
To address unhealthy fantasising, it is important to recognise the signs and seek help if needed. Setting boundaries, such as time limits, and redirecting thoughts through mindfulness practices can be effective strategies. It is also beneficial to invest in real-world relationships and address the underlying causes of fantasies, such as loneliness or relationship dissatisfaction.
In summary, fantasising can become harmful when it interferes with daily life, causes emotional dependency, and negatively impacts relationships. It is important to strike a balance between imagination and reality to ensure fantasising remains a positive and healthy aspect of one's life.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all impure thoughts are mortal sins. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions: the object is of grave matter, it is committed with full knowledge, and there is deliberate consent. Impure thoughts that are involuntary or unintentional are not considered mortal sins.
Mortal sins are considered more severe and require full knowledge and complete consent. Venial sins, on the other hand, are committed without full knowledge or consent and are less serious.
It is important to recognize and reject impure thoughts as soon as they arise. Praying, such as the Rosary, and seeking spiritual guidance can help strengthen one's resolve against such temptations. Additionally, avoiding occasions or settings that are conducive to impure thoughts is crucial in preventing mortal sins.