Near Occasion Of Sin Guide (Lust)

Near Occasion Of Sin Guide (Lust)

For The Average Modern Catholic

Section 1: Understanding What Lust Is

Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes. – CCC 2351

But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt. 5:28

What is lust?
A1 Disordered desire for sexual pleasure

A2 Excessive enjoyment of sexual pleasure

A3 When is sexual pleasure okay i.e. ordered

Learnings from A1 / A2

A1 -> God has put a sexual drive in us, the word disordered implies that sexual desire itself is not evil or sinful.

A2 -> Excessive enjoyment shows that enjoyment of sexual desire (within order) is good. Excessive would mean to me the author anything that begins to seriously disrupt oneself physically and spiritually, takes the dignity of your partner, others, and obligations.

A3 -> “sought for, itself” sexual pleasure and desire should never be for just for one’s own enjoyment.

Scenario 1: A Date

With A3 we see that going on a date (with ordered intention of seeking a suitable spouse) can be arousing, however because going on a date is not solely for oneself the arousal that one feels is not disordered. That arousal becomes disordered and therefore sinful when

a.      One begins to feel the arousal for the arousal’s sake A1

b.     Begins to heighten the arousal or allows it to go uncontrolled

1.      The conjugal act is grave matter in this instance so heightening your arousal would put you in a near occasion of sin A1

2354

Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. … It is a grave offense.

B1. real or simulated sexual acts -> this implies that sexually suggestive content is not grave matter; however A1,2,3 are to especially be considered

Scenario 2: Suggestive Media

Analyzing Lust Factors

How to tell if you should interact with media that has sexually suggestive content.

A1 -> If you are interacting with that media for sexual arousal if so, this would be grave.

A2 -> Will this game cause you excessive arousal to the point you will on purpose start having and consenting to sexual thoughts, looking at what’s displayed sexually, start using the media you are interacting with as a means for sexual arousal? Then no do not interact with this.

A3 -> Is there a unitive reason like (as long as you are confident you can resist A1/A2) like playing games and hanging out with a partner/spouse? This may justify putting yourself at a higher level of risk.

Section 2: More Coherently Understanding Discernment

Through understanding types of occasions of sin

Near Occasion Of Sin: Are grave, purposely putting yourself into a near occasion of mortal sin (i.e. knowing you have a high chance you will mortally sin) is a mortal sin; like purposely playing a game that’s too suggestive for you or playing/watching for the wrong reason or too many pornographic parts; also flirting and causing tension with women you have no business with.

Necessary Occasion of Sin: Are not grave, you can put yourself in a necessary occasion of sin, which means your risk for sinning increases however you have a good reason; example flirting/hanging out with someone you are dating.

Remote Occasion Of Sin: are not grave: Example a game where there is sexually suggestive content, however you are not playing it desiring to be sexually aroused by the sexually suggestive content, and you are able to suppress any arousal that may happen or confident you can leave if you feel you will lose control.

Remote and Necessary Occasions of Sin may have some level of arousal that you will have to face / even an amount of pornography. Discern whether or not it is worth it for you to interact with whatever medium have these remote/necessary occasions of sin.

C1. Is the likelihood high that you will fall into mortal sin? (see Scenario 1 & 2 to discern) is it possible to mitigate, i.e. blocking accounts on X, making wholesome friends on X, the pornography is avoidable or if not very brief? Do you know you won’t be able to make it?

C2. Is there a reason for going to whatever media? Making friends, finding a wife, preventing depression. The more important the reason the less things become a near occasion and a more necessary.

C3. One can appreciate characteristics of the human body, so long as one does their best to suppress their arousal. Looking at David’s Michelangelo and Titian’s “Penitent Mary Magdalen” is a remote occasion of sin for most. Though some arousal may happen if one is of sufficient virtue and mind one can quell one’s actions of thought and deed. Though nudity these are not “real or simulated sexual acts”. Looking at anime there is at least almost always some level of fan services; arousal may happen but so long as you aren’t consuming media for A1 (desiring sexual satisfaction) and you can resist excessive arousal A2 (able to move past and ignore the arousal without falling into it) you are at a remote occasion of sin.