18th Sunday after Pentecost: On Bad Thoughts ~ St. Alphonsus

About this sermon

In this sermon for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori explains when bad thoughts become sinful, the difference between temptation and consent, and the remedies Catholics should use against persistent evil or impure thoughts. Beginning with Christ’s words, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” St. Alphonsus reminds us that God sees the hidden movements of the heart. Nevertheless, the mere appearance of an unwanted thought is not a sin. Temptations afflicted even the saints, and a person does not sin unless the will accepts or deliberately takes pleasure in the evil presented to the mind. This teaching offers consolation to scrupulous souls while warning against willingly entertaining sinful thoughts. St. Alphonsus distinguishes among suggestion, delectation, and consent, then explains the dangers of forming sinful habits within the imagination. Finally, he provides practical remedies: avoid occasions of sin, guard the eyes, reject temptations immediately, disclose persistent temptations to a confessor, invoke the help of God, pray before the Blessed Sacrament or a crucifix, and seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May God grant us purity of heart, vigilance over our thoughts, and strength during every temptation. 00:00 On Bad Thoughts 00:28 Christ Sees the Thoughts of the Heart 01:01 God Judges the Heart 01:17 Three Points of the Sermon 01:33 When Bad Thoughts Become Sinful 02:00 Temptation Without Consent Is Not Sin 02:14 Even the Saints Were Tempted 03:34 Why God Permits Temptations 03:41 Consolation for Scrupulous Souls 04:03 The Difference Between Temptation and Consent 04:21 Can Thoughts Be Mortal Sins? 05:10 Suggestion, Delectation and Consent 05:27 Resisting Temptation Brings Merit 06:01 Temptations Against Chastity 06:56 Guard Your Heart Carefully 07:14 Sinful Desire and Consent 08:05 Morose Delectation Explained 08:40 Unwanted Feelings Are Not Mortal Sin 09:02 How to Respond to Impure Thoughts 09:24 The Dangers of Entertaining Evil Thoughts 10:04 Bad Thoughts at the Hour of Death 12:00 Remedies Against Bad Thoughts 12:15 Remove the Occasions of Sin 12:46 Avoid Corrupting Books and Entertainment 13:02 Dangerous Romantic Occasions 14:09 Make a Covenant With Your Eyes 15:09 Reject Impure Thoughts Immediately 15:33 Never Argue With the Temptation 16:03 Prayer, Vigilance and Purity 16:12 Reveal Persistent Temptations in Confession 16:35 Call Upon God for Victory 16:51 Persevere in Prayer 16:59 Seek Our Lady, Mother of Purity 17:22 Choose God’s Grace Above Life Itself #SaintAlphonsusLiguori #CatholicSermon #Temptation #CatholicFaith #SpiritualWarfare #PurityOfHeart #CatholicTeaching #TraditionalCatholic #MortalSin #Scrupulosity #OurLady #SensusFidelium 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Holy Spirit
• Pentecost
• Spiritual Growth