Temptations or sins?

[Shameless]

Sometimes I have a hard time telling the difference between a temptation and actually sinning, I struggle with impurity and I have images in my head a lot, If that pops into my head (the image) of something I've done in the past how do I tell if it is the flesh bring it up for me to sin or if I'm actually giving real lustful thought to it?

[trailblazer]

It does not become sin unless you dwell and fanticize about it. Otherwise, it is a temptation.

[Lux_et_veritas]

Temptation is like a ladder. You can land on the ladder through no fault of your own, or by engaging in things that you shouldn't (i.e., porn or movies with explicit images).

Now that you envision the ladder, when you land on it, you are on the first rung. At the point that you realize that you are on that first rung and the temptation is there, take that snapshot in time and commit it to memory. This was your chance to say, "no" to the second rung. If you say "yes" and climb, urges build and make it more difficult to say "no". The higher you allow yourself to climb, the harder it will be to get back down without falling.

I would worry less about when it crosses the line than about just getting down when you recognize you are on that first rung.

It helps to pray a rosary and ask the Blessed Mother to whisper in your ear, "This is your chance to say, 'no'".

Especially in matters of impurity, it is of absolute importance to remove yourself from the stimulus - be it physical such as a picture, or mental. If it is mental, do something distracting like put on a DVD, or change a radio station, or anything to get you off that first rung.

Hope this helps.

[Mercy Alvarenga]

I had just been wondering about the same question, not in regards to impurity, but other "thought" sins, like pride or uncharitable thoughts about other people.

Do the same answers apply? For example, if I realize after 2 minutes that a train of thought has become prideful and, with God's help, we derail that thought-train, have I already sinned? Or would it only be a sin if I deliberately keep thinking along those lines -after- I've realized what I'm doing? (if I continue on to the "second rung")

[Chris Jacobsen]

If you have to ask if it is a temptation or a sin, it is a temptation, not a sin.

[Lux_et_veritas]

Originally Posted by Mercy Alvarenga

I had just been wondering about the same question, not in regards to impurity, but other "thought" sins, like pride or uncharitable thoughts about other people.

Do the same answers apply? For example, if I realize after 2 minutes that a train of thought has become prideful and, with God's help, we derail that thought-train, have I already sinned? Or would it only be a sin if I deliberately keep thinking along those lines -after- I've realized what I'm doing? (if I continue on to the "second rung")

I think it depends on what it is. Case in point, you bring up a prideful act. I don't think that you actually sin, no matter how high up the ladder you go, but you make it more difficult to get down off the ladder the higher you allow yourself to go. This is a signal to get down sooner lest you fall. Some will fall only half-way up the ladder and this is important to note too. If you are falling half-way up the ladder, it is a half-hearted attempt to stop. It is another thing that I believe should be confessed if you should mention - "I fell", and I fell only having put a half-hearted effort into not falling. I was trying to get over something difficult and this is what I did. I began to confess "attitudes" and "effort level" to stopping.

Now, let's use another example - impurity. Walking up the ladder of temptation with regards to impurity I believe does involve sin. This is because it is hard to walk up that ladder without committing lust in some way, within the mind. I believe this is also the reason why it is critical to get down immediately when one recognizes they are on the ladder of temptation on a matter of impurity.

Passing thoughts are NOT a sin. One could have a passing thought that they wish someone close to them would die. It could be a split second that it enters your mind. Sinning would be entertaining it, rejecting the thought would a source of inner strength. The devil often puts these fleeting thoughts into our heads, much like he put actual temptations in front of Jesus. Jesus rejected them and so should we. Passing thoughts on sinful behavior is normal and many of the saints had to deal with them. It's how you respond to them that counts.

[chevalier]

Mortal sin requires grave matter, full consent and full knowledge, but you probably know this. If something goes into your mind against your will, it's hardly full consent. Telling a struggle with temptation from a real sin for failing to fight hard enough may be quite difficult.

Something you don't invite and don't welcome is still impurity that you need to oppose but I suppose it's venial if any sin at all.