In this high-tech age, everything can be transferred electronically. Bluetooth, Airdrop, and Messenger to name a few help users exchange information. Unfortunately, although it has great advantages, this also becomes an easy way to commit sins such as lust. In this blog post, we will discuss this specific trend today that can damage a soul, sexting.
Sexting
Sexting is a term derived from the words sex and texting. It involves sending sexual materials such as messages, gifs, images, or even videos.
Among these, sending images and videos are the popular ones.
“Send nudes” as they call it, people exchange sexually explicit content for pleasure.
Sadly, just like other lustful sins, this one is also normalized.
Unmarried couples usually do it.
But, there are also individuals who use it as their source of income.
They send their nude images and videos for money.
Somehow it resembles prostitution.
Catechism
CCC 2351 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.
Sexting is lust.
It promotes sexual pleasure, masturbatory, in particular. It is actually the same as pornography in a way that the recipient results in fantasizing the image or video of the sender.
Sending Nudes is a Sin
Since the Catholic Church is against lust, it can be said that She also opposes, sexting.
Therefore, to answer the question.
Is sending nudes a sin?
Yes. Sending nudes is a sin. Actually, sexting in general is a sin. It promotes sexual pleasure on part of the recipient, using the images and videos to commit other sins like masturbation.
Mortal or Venial Sin
Now that we know that sending nudes is a sin, let’s proceed to discuss its category.
Is it a mortal or venial sin?
For a quick recap, the Catholic Church categorizes sin depending on gravity.
It could be mortal or venial.
These are the conditions for a sin to be mortal.
- It is of grave matter
- Committed with full knowledge
- Committed with deliberate consent
Let’s use sexting, specifically sending nudes, as an example.
If individuals exchanged nude photos/ videos despite awareness that it is a sin, then there is a mortal sin.
To elaborate.
First, sending nudes is a lustful sin, therefore, it is a grave matter.
Next, the persons committed it in full knowledge. Meaning there was a consciousness on their part that it is a sin.
Lastly, committed it with full consent. Despite they knew that it was sinful, they still deliberately committed it.
Note that all conditions must exist. If a sin lacks one of the conditions, it will fall as venial.
Confession
As mentioned, lust is a grave sin and therefore must be confessed.
Confessing that one sent nudes can be embarrassing and awkward. But if you really are serious about asking for forgiveness. You can absolutely do it.
To confess, you just have to tell the priest your sin. In this case, sending nudes.
You can then proceed by mentioning the times you fell for this sin.
The priest will then give you counsel, ask you for penance and finally absolve you.
But, note that true repentance is when you change for the better.
If it is your first time on confession, here is a guide for beginners.
Or if you are struggling with scrupulosity, you check this Confession Guide.
Resources
Lust is one of the sins people easily fall into. The temptation is just too hard to bear. But this should not be a hindrance for us to keep ourselves pure.
If you are struggling with lust, here are the resources you can check.
Some Parishes have Office for Family Life. You can check if there are counseling volunteers or if they have recommendations.
You can also directly go to your Spiritual Director which is highly suggested for accountability.
Conclusion
This digital age we are in can affect our life living as chaste. The internet made it even more challenging to be pure.
That said, we as Catholics should be more vigilant.
We should fight this spiritual battle harder!
Through prayer, Sacraments, and the resources available, we can defeat any kind of lust!
May we always call on Our Lady for help, especially in times of temptation.
Loving Mother, pray for us.