Confusion on when sin occurs

[Skj386]

Recently, I have had two occasions where I am unsure of if I had or had not sinned. The first is when a friend offered to tell me information about a test. I accepted this information intending to use it, but decided against it after considering it’s sinful nature. Did I already commit the sin when I took the information, or did I avoid it by resolving to prepare as if I had not received it at all?

 

[CRV]

imo, it would have remained at the stage of a temptation if your friend had offered to tell you the info and you rejected the offer immediately; but it’s possible sin entered once you accepted the information because you did have the intention to use it , whereby I assume this info would have given you an unfair advantage; a second sin did not occur as you then reconsidered the matter and chose not to use the info to your advantage.

The advice given to me when I am not sure whether I’ve sinned or not was to say something like for e.g. “possible detraction” (on one hand I thought I had sinned but taking intention into consideration I thought I hadn’t sinned, but wasn’t sure). I know other people who when not certain would say e.g. Detraction - not sure.

But with that said Sheehan Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine says “A doubtful sin is one as to which there is uncertainty in regard to its commission or its gravity or the fact of its having been previously confessed. If the doubt be supported by a good reason , confession is not obligatory, though for the penitents’ peace of conscience it is usually advisable.”

Pardon And Peace by Fr Alfred Wilson, scroll down to Doubtful Sins - you’ll find useful to read.

 

[Skj386]

If I had accepted the information without the intent to use it, would it still be sinful? In other words I’m clarifying if the sinful quality depended on the intent

 

[CRV]

To your first question I would say not in my opinion you were just listening to what was said and judged was wrong with no intent to use it.

IMO, as we can sin in thought and from what you wrote it appears that you did consent to using the info for gain, which was the reason you accepted it, there would be sin. Eg consenting to impure thoughts are sins.

 

[CRV]

If it was me and it was bothering my conscience I’d confess it as ‘accepted info regarding a test for personal advantage with the intent to use it, but chose not to follow through in doing so.’

It’d up to you you can always ask your priest about it.

 

[Vico]

Recently, I have had two occasions where I am unsure of if I had or had not sinned. The first is when a friend offered to tell me information about a test. I accepted this information intending to use it, but decided against it after considering it’s sinful nature. Did I already commit the sin when I took the information, or did I avoid it by resolving to prepare as if I had not received it at all?

Bishop of Krishnagar Louis LaRavoire Marrow, My Catholic Faith - A Manual of Religion pp. 50-51, Copyright, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963 by Louis LaRavoire Morrow

1. Sin is not committed without temptation. First an evil thought comes into the mind. This in itself is not sinful; it is only a temptation.

• A man may be in a jewelry store looking at some jewels. The salesman turns away to talk to someone else, leaving a precious diamond ring on the counter. The thought enters the man’s mind that it would be easy for him to take the ring and walk away unnoticed. This is temptation, not sin.

2. If we do not immediately reject the thought, it awakens in the mind an affection or liking for it.

• If the man in the above example does not resist and reject the thought, but plays with it, and becomes pleased with the idea, he thereby gives partial consent, and commits a slight sin.

3. Next the thought is followed by an evil desire in which we take pleasure.

• If, still playing with the thought, the man wishes that he could take the diamond ring without being noticed, the consent is complete, and he commits a sin in his heart (interiorly).

4. The resolution to commit the sin when occasion presents itself follows. Then the exterior act is committed.

• Finally, the man glances to see if the salesman is still busy. Then he takes the ring and walks away with it. Thus the wish or desire has been translated into an exterior act. Even should the man be prevented from stealing, he is guilty of grave sin.

An exterior sin is more evil than an interior sin, because it is attended by worse consequences.
1. An exterior sin often causes scandal, and is therefore more severely punished by God here on earth as well as after death.

• Drunkenness reduces the drunkard and his family to poverty and sickness. Impurity destroys the body, sometimes producing insanity. Murder often leads the culprit to the electric chair.

2. And worse, an exterior sin increases the malice of the will, and destroys the sense of shame. The repetition of exterior sins forms the habit of sinning, and vice is formed. The conscience goes to sleep, and the sinner becomes so hardened that he no longer sees the evil and wickedness of his sin.