You can sin in the mind. This is where sin begins. Those who would be keeping constant watch in discernment of their behaviour would be confessing sinful thoughts (venial, obviously).
The aim is to get to the point, where one thinks differently. A reach towards being pure of heart. A few stages before a Christian, in having put all their eggs in one basket (in order that they become a saint), might be living so virtuously that there isn’t any deliberation over options for doing what God would have them do.
I think it all depends on intent of thought. If we constantly name off every single “bad” thought we’ve had in the confessional, we will go crazy.
So, let’s look at feelings and thoughts of lust. These tend to come up when you’ve had problems with lustful temptation in the past. So, Satan is basically using it to tempt you. These thoughts can lead to sinful action that you may have had problems with in the past.
Now anger, if a thought makes you desire to be violent or to commit some kind of action; then I would consider it to be sinful. Anger and hatred are often linked. So, in terms of anger, if something/someone is making you so angry that you feel hatred towards it/them, then it’s probably sinful.
Basically, if a provoking thought gives you the desire to sin and you have full capabilities to sin. I think it may be best to seek a confessional. Or, if that thought only leads to more thoughts of committing sin. I understand that we can’t really control our thoughts, but if you choose to give into those thoughts (even if it stays in the mind), it may be sinful.
I think I explained that pretty poorly, but I hope it still makes sense. This one is somewhat tough.
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