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scimitar60
Guest
If we give consent to all sins, and all sins are bad, then doesn’t that mean that they are all mortal?
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Holly3278
Guest
No, just because we consent to all sins and all sins are bad doesn’t mean that all sins are mortal. Sins have varying degrees of gravity. For example, being lazy one day isn’t anywhere near as bad as going out and murdering someone.
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diggerdomer
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mdgspencer
Guest
A passage in the first epistle of John shows there are sins which are mortal and sins which are not. “If anyone sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is a sin which is mortal, I do not say one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.”(1 John 5:16-17)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains what makes something a mortal sin. For one thing the person has to be fully conscious of the seriousness of the sin, for example. If he is not fully conscious of this (and there are different reasons why this can occur), it need not be a mortal sin.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains what makes something a mortal sin. For one thing the person has to be fully conscious of the seriousness of the sin, for example. If he is not fully conscious of this (and there are different reasons why this can occur), it need not be a mortal sin.
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Thoughtfulone
Guest
What does he mean when he says we should not pray if we know someone has committed a mortal in? Does this mean that it requires personal conversion on the part of the sinner? Wouldn’t prayer at least for their conversion be a good thing?
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JRKH
Guest
Consider this -
You are the parent of 2 adult children living with you.
There are rules in the household that the children are expected to live by, even though they are adults. These are rules that 1) respect you and your home, and 2) are reasonable tasks that show they are a part of the household.
Now the adult child “A” does not always abide by the rules…sometimes they have a good excuse, other times it is just lazy or willful disobedience. When confronted they are sorrowful and respectful to you.
Adult Child “B” does not abide by the rules and when confronted, instead of being repentant, is disrespectful and beligerent.
Which of the two Children will you be forced to kick out of the house?
Peace
James
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slywakka250
Guest
I have a hard time believing in the distinction between mortal and venial. Consider the most grave venial sin (not sure which this would be), and compare it to least grave mortal sin (say, something like eating meat on a abstaining Friday)
venial sin: ends up being a tiny (comparatively speaking) obstacle to your spiritual development. Do nothing about it, and you will have all the time you need in Purgatory to perfect your love for God.
mortal sin: infinitely more evil than the most grave venial sin. Basically an altogether different kind of thing. a single mortal sin, (say you die immediately after) constitutes an “eternal” choice or rejection towards God. a 100% NO to God, and a commitment to never want God in any way, shape, or form, for all eternity, no exceptions. You commit mortal sin, you choose to remove yourself from God FOREVER. the most evil thing possible.
I have a hard time seeing how the most serious venial sin can still be a “sin” when compared to the least grave mortal sin, given the huge difference in the outcome(eternity). So yes, I repeat your question, why aren’t all sins just mortal???
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JRKH
Guest
I’m not sure If I can explain this very well but let me give it a try…Jesus said that there is one sin that will not be forgiven in this world or the next. That is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. Jesus also tells us that the two great commandments are, Love God with our entire being, and Love our neighbors as ourselves. He then says that all of the law and the prophets are based on these two commandments…
So we should take this as our starting point.
So - What makes a sin mortal is when it demonstrates that we do not love God and, in fact, we turn away from God. If we actively deny God’s Love, and Salvic plan for us; if we actively deny God’s sovereignty over us then we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit and are in mortal sin. This principle is embodies in the Catachism where it enumerates the requirements for mortal sin. It must be serious AND you must know it AND you must consciencely decide to do it anyway. IN other wors you must consciencely go against God.
In fact, this denial of God’s sovereignty over us is the root source of ALL mortal sin. Look at what Jesus says about serving two masters, you will Love one and hate the other or serve on and neglect the other. If you Love God you do not wish to offend Him, even in small ways. If you choose to consciencely and defiantly offend God by sin, then you are demonstrating that you love sin more than God.
So my advice to those struggling with this is always the same. Look up, not down!!
Seek to Love God. Seek the Kingdom. Seek to live in and walk in His ways. Conform yourselves to Christ. Look up toward the great hope of heaven and the beatific vision.
Do not look down at the abyss we are passing over in this life. Christ is the Bridge. Don’t seek to analyze sin. What purpose does it serve except to weaken our resolve to Please God? If we sin, large or small, run back to his arns and ask forgiveness. Go to Confession and the Communion regularly to gain strength.
Move forward in Christ.
Peace
James
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Bookcat
Guest
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
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.
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.
A distinction is made between mortal and venial sin.
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.
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.
For more read the Catechism: vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a8.htm
- What is sin?
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.
- Is there a variety of sins?
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.
- How are sins distinguished according to their gravity?
A distinction is made between mortal and venial sin.
- When does one commit a mortal sin?
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?
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.
For more read the Catechism: vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a8.htm
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scimitar60
Guest
What? So If someone masturbates they ‘remove themself from God FOREVER. the most evil thing possible.’
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mdgspencer
Guest
By a mortal sin someone rejects God.
By a venial sin someone goes against God without rejecting God. Perhaps for example by acting without thinking so they are not fully aware at the time of the seriousness of what they are doing.
By a venial sin someone goes against God without rejecting God. Perhaps for example by acting without thinking so they are not fully aware at the time of the seriousness of what they are doing.
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scimitar60
Guest
Hmm, does this mean that sometimes it could be a venial sin? I don’t know about all of you but for me sometimes I get so clouded around lustfull thoughts it just happens without me even thinking straight!
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JRKH
Guest
As you can see from the responses these things can become complex. That is why most of us, when confronted with specific questions, will advise the questioner to get to confession and talk these things over with their confessor. Your comment above is a perfect example of this. We can offer some general advice but you would be much better served by speaking with your confessor.
Now having said that, I will state that, what you write above only reenforces the need to:
- Avoid the near occasion of sin,
- Catch these thoughts early and seek grace through prayer to resist the tempation, and
- get involved in virtuous activities that will weaken the tempations and strengthen the opposing virtue.
Peace
James
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scimitar60
Guest
Thanks, fast reply!
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Cherry5
Guest
Good response James, I agree it is very difficult to pin an act as being mortal (keeping in mind the consequences) as quoted by Bookcat “One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent” we have a good idea of what is a grave matter, but what does “full knowledge” really mean?
For example we know masturbation is a grave matter, many do it knowing it is a grave matter - does this mean they have “full Knowledge” and probably do it with consent. on the face of it, it seems to be clear cut “mortal sin” but is it?
I understand mortal sin to be intentionally rejecting God, in this case I do not believe that most people masturbate because they want to show their “rejection of God” but do it because the flesh is weak, and other reasons. Please do not misunderstand what I am trying to convey, I do not condone masturbation - this is only an example. Some how I think our Father is more understanding than we give Him credit for. I don’t believe he is “out to get us” He is more interested in saving us.
God Bless
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