At what point is it considered a sin?

[ZoonCorp]

I have been thinking about this since I am struggling with this.

I’ll try to give an example of what I want to say:

Imagine a murderer plans to murder someone. He knows that what he is about to do is sinful and so if he would proceed, he would commit mortal sin. But he still prepares for the murder, despite this knowledge. He pick up and prepares his tools and weapons and places them on the table etc etc etc…
However, he may change his mind after the preparation and decide not do go and murder someone, or he can proceed.

Without going into details, I can admit that I am guilty of this preparation for sin (Not murder!).

Is this act of preparation for sin sinful?
Do I have to tell the priest in confession that I have prepared for sin and how I did it? I imagine that it is some form of mortal sin since you are actually willfully preparing to sin.

Thank you for your answers!

 

[Veronica97]

I’m going to say that it is a mortal sin if the person knew he was seriously wrong in planning/preparing for murder and yet went on planning/preparing anyway. It is best to go to confession and be free of it. HOWEVER, God is PLEASED (very pleased!) that the person did not go through with the sin of murder! There is reason for rejoicing (and yet confession needs to be made or that person is likely to begin planning again!)

 

[sw85]

I have been thinking about this since I am struggling with this.

I’ll try to give an example of what I want to say:

Imagine a murderer plans to murder someone. He knows that what he is about to do is sinful and so if he would proceed, he would commit mortal sin. But he still prepares for the murder, despite this knowledge. He pick up and prepares his tools and weapons and places them on the table etc etc etc…
However, he may change his mind after the preparation and decide not do go and murder someone, or he can proceed.

Without going into details, I can admit that I am guilty of this preparation for sin (Not murder!).

Is this act of preparation for sin sinful?
Do I have to tell the priest in confession that I have prepared for sin and how I did it? I imagine that it is some form of mortal sin since you are actually willfully preparing to sin.

Thank you for your answers!

The moment your will consents to an evil act, you are guilty of sin. Thus a sincere, knowing, conscious intention to commit a sin, even if not subsequently acted on, is itself a sin in need of repentance.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Planning for a murder is a sin, perhaps a mortal one. The person has sinned in their heart.
If I were to commit such a sin, I would confess that “I had thoughts/plans of intending violence towards another person.” Just as if someone has impure thoughts of sexual nature, they would confess just that…and not necessarily go in to gritty details that aren’t required for the priest to know…as long as the seriousness and nature of the sin are communicated.

That’s my understanding anyways! Either way, yes, that is a sin.

 

[Stumblesalot]

I have been thinking about this since I am struggling with this.

I’ll try to give an example of what I want to say:

Imagine a murderer plans to murder someone. He knows that what he is about to do is sinful and so if he would proceed, he would commit mortal sin. But he still prepares for the murder, despite this knowledge. He pick up and prepares his tools and weapons and places them on the table etc etc etc…
However, he may change his mind after the preparation and decide not do go and murder someone, or he can proceed.

Without going into details, I can admit that I am guilty of this preparation for sin (Not murder!).

Is this act of preparation for sin sinful?
Do I have to tell the priest in confession that I have prepared for sin and how I did it? I imagine that it is some form of mortal sin since you are actually willfully preparing to sin.

Thank you for your answers!

Hi,

I think this is the proverbial ‘can of worms’. Are these preparations a genuine precursor to actually enacting the sin or are they simply a therapeutic measure used to alleviate resentful or angry feelings etc. for an act that you know, in your heart of hearts, you would never actually commit? In either case, I feel you are leading yourself into temptation and are perhaps approaching or testing boundaries you really DO NOT WANT TO CROSS. I would attend confession and discuss the matter with your priest in detail. You are in my prayers.

God bless

 

[Bible_is_truth]

I have been thinking about this since I am struggling with this.

I’ll try to give an example of what I want to say:

Imagine a murderer plans to murder someone. He knows that what he is about to do is sinful and so if he would proceed, he would commit mortal sin. But he still prepares for the murder, despite this knowledge. He pick up and prepares his tools and weapons and places them on the table etc etc etc…
However, he may change his mind after the preparation and decide not do go and murder someone, or he can proceed.

Without going into details, I can admit that I am guilty of this preparation for sin (Not murder!).

Is this act of preparation for sin sinful?
Do I have to tell the priest in confession that I have prepared for sin and how I did it? I imagine that it is some form of mortal sin since you are actually willfully preparing to sin.

Thank you for your answers!

Hi,
For me personally sin starts in our mind and heart, example, even looking at a another woman with lust and intent,still is sin, yes for me I would ask God’s forgiveness ,I can only say also that the sin was never carried out is a Thanksgiving and still ask forgiveness and praise our Lord that we were stopped from doing the sin in practice.
Blessings to you.

 

[Bible_is_truth]

I have been thinking about this since I am struggling with this.

I’ll try to give an example of what I want to say:

Imagine a murderer plans to murder someone. He knows that what he is about to do is sinful and so if he would proceed, he would commit mortal sin. But he still prepares for the murder, despite this knowledge. He pick up and prepares his tools and weapons and places them on the table etc etc etc…
However, he may change his mind after the preparation and decide not do go and murder someone, or he can proceed.

Without going into details, I can admit that I am guilty of this preparation for sin (Not murder!).

Is this act of preparation for sin sinful?
Do I have to tell the priest in confession that I have prepared for sin and how I did it? I imagine that it is some form of mortal sin since you are actually willfully preparing to sin.

Thank you for your answers!

Just to add,
you may not tell the priest , say, remember God see’s everything.

 

[bz5]

Jesus mentioned the law given to Moses - that we should not murder - and added that we should not hate so I believe any serious intention to murder certainly is mortal sin so yes, confess. But obviously, the fact that one doesn’t go through with the plan makes a huge difference to the intended victim, all their loved ones, the society who would be depressed and afraid of the violence around them, the costs to the court system, etc… not to mention the distress, guilt, and/or disgrace felt by the killer’s loved ones.

 

[ZoonCorp]

Thank you for all your replies.

Just to clarify; in my case it was a genuine precursor to actually enacting a sin of sexual nature. That’s also why I want to know how much I should say and not say to the priest in confession. As Garyjohn2 said, I don’t want to go into details if it isn’t necessary, but if it is I’ll do it. So what should I say, really?

I very much appreciate your help!

 

[Veronica97]

Depending upon what the sin is, you could say, “Father, I entertained lustful thoughts all day and in great detail, but I didn’t commit an impure act, although I wanted to.” Or “I made a date with a married woman and planned to commit adultry with her. We had a drink together, but I changed my mind and decided to leave the bar alone.” I don’t think you have to go into a long drawn-out story. Just state it clearly so that the priest will understand what you were planning to do. He will then tell you what you can do to overcome these types of situations in the future.

 

[Stumblesalot]

Thank you for all your replies.

Just to clarify; in my case it was a genuine precursor to actually enacting a sin of sexual nature. That’s also why I want to know how much I should say and not say to the priest in confession. As Garyjohn2 said, I don’t want to go into details if it isn’t necessary, but if it is I’ll do it. So what should I say, really?

I very much appreciate your help!

I would suggest you explain to the priest in detail

1.What the sin was
2.The desired outcomes of your subsequent preparations
3.How far down the line you were with these preparations before turning back

If necessary, you can retain your anonymity by attending another parish for the purposes of confession. You are in my prayers.

God bless