Am I forgiven?

[FormerXCatholic]

I commit the same sins over and over again and I am genuinely sorry after each sin and I feel shame. When I go to the confessional I always confess these same sins. Am I actually absolved of sins when in my heart I know the likelihood of me committing the sin again is high? I always say that I wont do it again in my act of contrition but I end up doing it again and I feel mostly powerless. The sin is premarital sex and I am ashamed of it but my carnal instinct is stronger than my will to not commit the sin. So am I truly forgiven?

 

[brad90956]

I commit the same sins over and over again and I am genuinely sorry after each sin and I feel shame. When I go to the confessional I always confess these same sins. Am I actually absolved of sins when in my heart I know the likelihood of me committing the sin again is high? I always say that I wont do it again in my act of contrition but I end up doing it again and I feel mostly powerless. The sin is premarital sex and I am ashamed of it but my carnal instinct is stronger than my will to not commit the sin. So am I truly forgiven?

Yes, your sins are forgiven if you confess them with a contrite heart. You already stated you were, “genuinely sorry” so they are forgiven.

As for repeating the same sins over and over again, welcome to (my) the world. We are all sinners, each and every day.

I cannot give you any advice on how to overcome repeating the same sin(s)…I would suggest making an appointment with your priest to discuss the matter or bring it up to him at your next confession and state to him exactly what you have stated here.

God Bless

 

[Polyphony]

I would also want to gently point out the idea of near occasions of sin.

If you’re committing these sins because you’re not changing something in your life that inevitably leads to them, then I would encourage you to reconsider the idea of change. What do I mean by this? Well, if you have certain friends that make this easy for you in terms of opportunity, I would ask you to consider removing them from your life. If you’re doing a lot of partying, you really should stop. If you’re going out, and have determined not to meet people, but inevitably you do, then you should stop going out.

We should keep in mind that if we have an avoidable near occasion of sin in our lives, we have to ensure that we’ve removed it as best we can in order to truly have a firm purpose of amendment.

Having said that, we should also trust in Jesus. Do what you can to the best of your ability, and trust that Jesus will take care of the rest. But be honest with yourself, and do sincerely try.

 

[JewishCatholic]

I commit the same sins over and over again and I am genuinely sorry after each sin and I feel shame. When I go to the confessional I always confess these same sins. Am I actually absolved of sins when in my heart I know the likelihood of me committing the sin again is high? I always say that I wont do it again in my act of contrition but I end up doing it again and I feel mostly powerless. The sin is premarital sex and I am ashamed of it but my carnal instinct is stronger than my will to not commit the sin. So am I truly forgiven?

No. Not if you question the will of God. The only way to reach heaven is to set your heart on heaven and jesus. You must be perfect to get into heaven. Let me leave you with a verse.21Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property

Rich Catholics often ignore this. You must sacrafice everything, not just an hour a week.

Peace.

(You will go to hell if you dont)

 

[brad90956]

No. Not if you question the will of God. The only way to reach heaven is to set your heart on heaven and jesus. You must be perfect to get into heaven. Let me leave you with a verse.21Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property

Rich Catholics often ignore this. You must sacrafice everything, not just an hour a week.

Peace.

(You will go to hell if you dont)

FormerXCatholic,

Please talk to your parish priest about the question you posted and do not take advice from strangers on the internet.

 

[Vico]

I commit the same sins over and over again and I am genuinely sorry after each sin and I feel shame. When I go to the confessional I always confess these same sins. Am I actually absolved of sins when in my heart I know the likelihood of me committing the sin again is high? I always say that I wont do it again in my act of contrition but I end up doing it again and I feel mostly powerless. The sin is premarital sex and I am ashamed of it but my carnal instinct is stronger than my will to not commit the sin. So am I truly forgiven?

If you also have the resolution not to sin again.

Catechism:

1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.” 50

 

[Gorgias]

If you also have the resolution not to sin again.

This!

Remember, FXC, it’s not whether you succeed at not committing the sin again, it’s whether you have the firm resolve not to commit them again! (As Polyphony points out, that ‘firm resolve’ might include not putting yourself in situations which lead you to be tempted so strongly that you fall to the sin again.)

 

[FormerXCatholic]

These are all good answers and I hope JewishCatholic wasn’t banned because of his post. I think what JewishCatholic is trying to say is that if I don’t believe I am forgiven then its possible I am not. My belief deep down is that I am forgiven but I still dont feel worthy of it and I feel more guilt after each occurrence. I have been speaking to a priest about this but its at the point where I am embarrassed to talk about it because he is giving me good spiritual advice but I am falling short of his advice to chastity.

 

[Wesrock]

An honest intention to try to stop is sufficient. The major obstacle would be if you intended to sin again. Knowing that you will struggle and may fail is not itself a barrier to absolution.

At the same time, I would recommend Polyphony’s post and recommend against JewishCatholic’s (unless I’ve misunderstood what he was saying). And I would second bringing this direct concern to your priest.

 

[dcana]

As for repeating the same sins over and over again, welcome to (my) the world. We are all sinners, each and every day.

I too live in your world. Your world is well-populated.

My belief deep down is that I am forgiven but I still don’t feel worthy of it and I feel more guilt after each occurrence.

1. You are forgiven. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel forgiven. Trust God.
2. You are correct in not feeling worthy of it, since you are not. None of us are “worthy” of receiving forgiveness from God after having sinned against Him who is all-good, all-holy, and who we must love above all things. But that is precisely what makes Him so awesome! He forgives us anyway. That is what infinite love and mercy does. Of course this forgiveness was purchased for us at a price: the self-sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The only thing necessary is a contrite heart: “a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 50(51):19)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• 1 John 1:8-9

Say often: “Jesus I trust in you!”

God bless