what are mortal sins exactly ? i know their the worst and people who commits them know their sinning but what sins could be considered mortal ?
It is difficult to make a list of “actions” that are mortally sinful. The Church defines a mortal sin as having three components, the object is grave matter, full knowledge that it is sinful and full consent of the will.
There are seven sins, called the deadly sins that deal, not with actions but with attitudes that are much nearer the mark than trying to make a list of actions that are mortal sins.
Pride is excessive belief in one’s own abilities, that interferes with the individual’s recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.
Envy is the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situation.
Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.
Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.
Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath.
Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.
Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.
You will note in these that there can be many “small sins” that are committed becasue they stem from one of these “underlying” faults.
In the end, the thing that makes any sin “Mortal” is really a “defiance” of God and a rejection of God, through pride, in favor of ones self.
Peace
James
Mortal sin (grave sin) is defined in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition’ first printed in US in March 2000.
Those in the state of mortal sin can not receive Holy Communion.
From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
- When does one commit a mortal sin?
1855-1861
1874
One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
- When does one commit a venial sin?
1862-1864
1875
One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
Some examples of grave matter for mortal sin…
Adultery
Lust
Stealing a large amount
Masterbation
Fornication
Murder
Perjury
worshiping an idol of some god
Worshiping another god
various occult practices
terrorism
missing Mass on Sunday deliberately without excusing reason
blasphemy
Euthanasia
Contraception
Abortion
etc
As scripture refers, all sin is wrong but there is a sin that is mortal. Therefore, those are deadly sins that if you die in them, they prevent you from going to heaven. Where does scripture define these?
Ephesians 5: 3-5 fornication, covetousness…… 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Hebrews 10:25-26 missing mass deliberately, no sacrifice for sin for THEM. But a fearful judgement
immoraliy, is selling your inheritance Eph 5:5 , Hebrews 12: 16 - 17
Galatians 5: 19 - 21 sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, division, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, will not inherit heaven
Colossians 3: 5-6 immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry, …rath of God is coming
1 Corinthians 6: 9 - 10 no sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
etc etc
The answers are correct. But part of the equation must include the following.
There are 3 more to add that are not covered often - that of -
“Erroneous Judgement can be sinful” - CCC 1791 & 1792,
“Responsible for the sins of others” - CCC 1868
“When Complaisance is sin” - CCC 2480