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Kurt H. wrote:

Hi, guys —

  • Is it a mortal or venial sin if I was sleeping and had a lustful thought that lasted 3 to 5 seconds after trying to fight it off?

I ask because I felt aware of these issues (in my sleep) when the thoughts started to happen, but I know, when determining if something is a mortal sin or not, (that consent matters) and I was wondering if sleeping in this scenario effects the issue.

Kurt H.
  { Is it a mortal sin if I was sleeping and had a lustful thought that lasted 3 to 5 seconds? }

John replied:

Kurt —

If you were sleeping it wasn't sin at all. 

If you are awake, it depends.  A passing thought is not sin until you give active consent.

Sexual appetite is a real appetite for food. If you see and or smell very appealing food, you may immediately want to taste it, even if you're not remotely hungry.  

This holds true with a lustful thought. The key is not giving consent. Don't embrace it. Those thoughts just happen. It's not sin until you actively embrace it. Whether it's venial or mortal sin will depend on how much you dwell on it.

When you're asleep, you have no choice.

John
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