Am I sinning every minute?

[elysianverse]

I did a little experiment and tried to observe myself studying scripture. My thoughts were racing here and there, there wasnt even one holy thought. All of them worldly even though I was reading scripture!

If this is a mortal sin, what must I do?

 

[bmullins]

I think first off you set yourself up for failure in your experiment. By attempting to observe yourself while studying scripture instead of observing and concentrating on the scripture, you separated yourself from the task at hand. The only way you’re going to get your mind into scripture is to get your mind into scripture. Is it a sin for your mind to wander while studying? No. I would suggest though that you approach scripture with a much different attitude.

Start with prayer. Use a method like lectio divina to really concentrate your entire self into the study. That will help your mind, body and soul get into the entire ordeal.

 

[1ke]

I did a little experiment and tried to observe myself studying scripture. My thoughts were racing here and there, there wasnt even one holy thought. All of them worldly even though I was reading scripture!

If this is a mortal sin, what must I do?

You must get a grip on yourself, that is what you must do. I really suggest that you seek direction from a competent priest. You may tend towards scruples, or you may just need someone to help you form your conscience properly since this is all new to you. If you are intested in Catholicism, join an RCIA program as an inquirer. There is no pressure to beomce Catholic, I knew a Hindu man who remained an inquirer for 3 years before he moved towards getting baptized. Learn the faith not in random questions on the internet, but in an organize fashion where you can interact with people, attend Mass, learn to pray, ask questions, and build community.

 

[DexUK]

Sounds like that classic problem in physics: when trying to observe a thing’s quantum state, the very act of observing changes the state of the thing being observed.

Just study as best you can. Trying to observe yourself doing it is never going to work.

As for mortal sin, absolutely not. I don’t think there’s even a venial sin in what you describe. You’re just distracting yourself. Stop doing that and you’ll have more success in your studies.

 

[Bookcat]

I think first off you set yourself up for failure in your experiment. By attempting to observe yourself while studying scripture instead of observing and concentrating on the scripture, you separated yourself from the task at hand. The only way you’re going to get your mind into scripture is to get your mind into scripture.

 

[Bookcat]

You must get a grip on yourself, that is what you must do. I really suggest that you seek direction from a competent priest. You may tend towards scruples, or you may just need someone to help you form your conscience properly since this is all new to you. If you are intested in Catholicism, join an RCIA program as an inquirer. There is no pressure to beomce Catholic, I knew a Hindu man who remained an inquirer for 3 years before he moved towards getting baptized. Learn the faith not in random questions on the internet, but in an organize fashion where you can interact with people, attend Mass, learn to pray, ask questions, and build community.

 

[Lonely_guy]

If you are reading your Bible and your thoughts are somewhere else it is not a sin. I read the Bible every day and sometimes I just can’t keep my thought together. That happen to all of us,even priests. But if you feel you sin,then you probable are but the good news is that you identify it as a sin and you feel remorse. Try to choose a special time when you read the Bible. “Walk” thru your mind before and when you have done that your mind is free to understand the Bible. Don’t worry,by the way,we all sin,but as long as we recognize it we can deal with it. If you still fell bad,confess. And don’t worry anymore,God understand us much better then we use to think,He created us so He know us. Take care.

 

[Richard320]

I did a little experiment and tried to observe myself studying scripture. My thoughts were racing here and there, there wasnt even one holy thought. All of them worldly even though I was reading scripture!

If this is a mortal sin, what must I do?

To be a Mortal Sin, there must be full consent of the will. Since you wish to think holy thoughts, but can’t, it is not intentional. Therefore, no sin.

Meditation/Contemplation is not easy. Just shutting off the inner monologue (inner argument is probably more accurate) is a big achievement! Directing your thoughts is even harder. If you’re setting aside a fixed time every day to study scripture, and doing it without fail, you’re doing very good.

 

[Bookcat]

This is a book that too can give you a nice overview:

Order the book: usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=701

Online:

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Excerpt:

SIN

1. What does the acceptance of God’s mercy require from us?

1846-1848
1870

It requires that we admit our faults and repent of our sins. God himself by his Word and his Spirit lays bare our sins and gives us the truth of conscience and the hope of forgiveness.

1. What is sin?

1849-1851
1871-1872

Sin is “a word, an act, or a desire contrary to the eternal Law” (Saint Augustine). It is an offense against God in disobedience to his love. It wounds human nature and injures human solidarity. Christ in his passion fully revealed the seriousness of sin and overcame it with his mercy.

1. Is there a variety of sins?

1852-1853
1873

There are a great many kinds of sins. They can be distinguished according to their object or according to the virtues or commandments which they violate. They can directly concern God, neighbor, or ourselves. They can also be divided into sins of thought, of word, of deed, or of omission.

1. How are sins distinguished according to their gravity?

1854

A distinction is made between mortal and venial sin.

1. 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.

1. 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.

 

[LittleBits]

I have always wondered this question too…since buy nature we humans are not perfect and sinful, are we sinning just by virtue of being alive?

 

[Bookcat]

I have always wondered this question too…since buy nature we humans are not perfect and sinful, are we sinning just by virtue of being alive?

No. But it is true that even those who are “living in Christ here” will still have (outside some special grace) some venial sins…often. Those who are in mortal sin yes will likely commit more …

 

[puzzleannie]

I did a little experiment and tried to observe myself studying scripture. My thoughts were racing here and there, there wasnt even one holy thought. All of them worldly even though I was reading scripture!

If this is a mortal sin, what must I do?

sorry I don’t understand the question
where in reading the bible can you possibly see an occasion of sin?

 

[thistle]

i did a little experiment and tried to observe myself studying scripture. My thoughts were racing here and there, there wasnt even one holy thought. All of them worldly even though i was reading scripture!

If this is a mortal sin, what must i do?

Talk to a priest. Talk to a priest. Talk to a priest. Talk to a priest.

 

[3NailRenewal]

I did a little experiment and tried to observe myself studying scripture. My thoughts were racing here and there, there wasnt even one holy thought. All of them worldly even though I was reading scripture!

If this is a mortal sin, what must I do?

This happens to me to man. What i beleive is this:

Your Guardian Angel somehow influenced you to study scripture. However, i also beleive that Lucifer assigns a Demon to each of us, to mock God’s Angel given to us. I do not think going to a study group will solve your problem, both the Demon and the Angel are whispering thoughts into your head, WIll you choose to listen? And if so, who to?

Another thing that helps me out when my Demon whispers something in my ear is this: Being tempted is not a sin, giving into temptation is. I think if you keep reading the Bible and ignore the materialistic thoughts you are having, then you would not be sinning. if this helps, i hope it brings you concentration and happiness, if not, then i pray you find your answer.