All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri Impure Thoughts: How Far is Too Far?
Nov 25, 2025
Exploring the fine line between admiration and lust, the discussion highlights the stages of attraction and temptation. Dr. Sri delves into St. John Paul II’s teachings, emphasizing that noticing beauty is natural, but crossing into objectification is not. The podcast illustrates the journey from innocent attraction to the dangers of lust, using biblical examples like David and Bathsheba. Practical advice is offered on resisting temptation, fostering humility, and trusting in divine mercy, reinforcing the importance of purity in relationships.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Attraction Points Toward Relationship
- Sensual desire is a God-given, healthy response to beauty that points us toward personal relationship.
- The problem arises when sensuality becomes primary and we reduce a person to a body for pleasure.
Three Stages Toward Lust
- John Paul II maps three inner stages from innocent attraction toward lust: spontaneous reaction, sensual concupiscence, and carnal desire.
- Understanding these stages reveals how desire can shift from noticing beauty to using a person as an object.
Feeling Versus Consenting
- Sensual concupiscence is a wounded craving where attraction becomes a desire to consume, but it's not sinful if the will resists.
- JP2 distinguishes feeling the craving from consenting to it, so interior resistance matters morally.
