Yes, but the thought (plan) of committing any sin is a sin in and of itself. Temptation isn't sin, but evil desire is. I think what MLG was postulating was that evil desire in a reprobate is a given. Consequently, what makes hell "hellish" is that none of those desires will be satisfied. This is as contrasted with on earth, wherein many times the sin is satisfied.
In Dantes Hell, each sinner received what sin he wished, for eternity.
If they were damned anyway, why would this be worse? :)
Yes, but the thought (plan) of committing any sin is a sin in and of itself.
True. But on examination there's more to it that has severe cause and effect consequences.
The thoughts themselves are at first beyond our control, but less so with proper praxis. The thoughts can be immediately rejected or they can be entertained and played with. This can lead to placing ourselves in a time and place of opportunity. Then comes the act of sin itself. And further, the continuation of this process leading to an addictive state making it harder and harder to avoid.
Each of the stages brings more suffering, not less.
The Church has practical methods to help. Chief among them is examination of conscience and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Most important is awareness and remembrance: remembrance of God's love and remembrance of the pain of sin that can get forgotten in its glamour.
This is as contrasted with on earth, wherein many times the sin is satisfied.
Unless we confuse pleasure with happiness, sin is never satisfied, it results in a never-ending addictive desire for more, and greater and greater unhappiness.
Hence my theory is that leaving a sinner with only the thought of sin is a lesser suffering.