Grieving Over Sin = More Sin?

[CuriousMike]

I have just been reading some older posts here on CAF, and am wondering about the following:

Many of us feel guilty, unworthy, angry, disturbed (and so on) when we sin.
If we continue to focus on our failure, is that constant dwelling and obsession on the thought inviting more sin to occur?

If this is true - Is it a result of “obsessing” over what has past, rather than turning to God and re-establishing ourselves in faithful life?

 

[Arizona_Fat_Gir]

Yes, I think so.

However, some sins are so terrible they suck your blood like vampires. One particular sin I am thinking about is child abuse. Just think how terrible those people who have abused and even killed children will feel later on. If they are given the grace of repentance, it may take a while for them to deal with what they have done. That goes for those who have abortions as well.

 

[frangiuliano115]

I have just been reading some older posts here on CAF, and am wondering about the following:

Many of us feel guilty, unworthy, angry, disturbed (and so on) when we sin.
If we continue to focus on our failure, is that constant dwelling and obsession on the thought inviting more sin to occur?

If this is true - Is it a result of “obsessing” over what has past, rather than turning to God and re-establishing ourselves in faithful life?

You have asked and answered your own question.

Man forgives sin
God forgives sin AND forgets sin

“And your sin I will remember no more!”
Hebrews 8:12

We have more trouble forgiving ourselves than God does.
I don’t think the obsessing over the sin will cause more sin (could depend on what it is) but we are told to forget it and move on. Satan likes us to keep thinking about how evil we are - but children of God need not listen to satan.

Check out my signature line…

Fran

 

[Trident_H]

There’s one sin (well a series that led to the one) that I’ve been dealing with. That led to some bad stuff happening. So for that it took a while to get over. It took a while and yeah. I’ve been pretty obsessed about it. But in the end I did sort of put it to rest. Sort of. I mean it can still bother a guy emotionally even if mentally it’s been dealt with.

And I guess that’s sort of the right way ahead I think. Because if this sort of stopped bothering me I think I’d have lost something in that. I’d think that I had grown a bit cold on that score.

But I don’t think it’s a sin to be in that kind of mind. To be constantly going over the same ground because of a real draw to deal with something big. I think it’s only a sin when a guy likes doing that. Or when a guy gives in to despair and figures he might as well let the sin win over.

I don’t know.

Peace.

-Trident

 

[Mary_Ellen]

If one has not gone to Confession the guilt and disturbance you describe is not necessarily bad - it can act as a prompting towards true repentance. If one has repented, confessed, and received absolution, however, and those feelings persist they can lead to doubt and what amounts to a rejection of the Mercy of God.

Harboring and holding onto feelings of unworthiness and concentrating on the anger we have towards ourselves is a sign that we are self-centered and not God-centered. We need to detach ourselves from our feelings, especially feelings about ourselves in this type of situation, and attach ourselves instead to our faith in God, in His promise of mercy, in his pure Love. We need to get out of God’s way and allow him to truly heal us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament is supposed to re-establish our broken relationship with the Almighty. Hanging on to those negative feelings just widens the gap between us and God

Be at peace.

 

[CRATUS]

I have just been reading some older posts here on CAF, and am wondering about the following:

Many of us feel guilty, unworthy, angry, disturbed (and so on) when we sin.
If we continue to focus on our failure, is that constant dwelling and obsession on the thought inviting more sin to occur?

If this is true - Is it a result of “obsessing” over what has past, rather than turning to God and re-establishing ourselves in faithful life?

We need to have a balanced attitude towards sin. Yes, it is wrong. Sin is going to be inevitable till we reach perfection in this life or not. Do not condone sin, but accept it. I think although Christians are held to a higher standard. We should not expect overnight Christians (ourselves and others) become miraculous saints in days. All is possible with Christ. We need to stay a little grounded though. God Bless.

 

[mikekle]

Ive had this problem too, there are a few things I just cannot confess enough, I wake up every day and tell God Im sorry for these things, even though they happened decades ago and Ive confessed them long ago.

Someone once told me I thought was good in this regard…“when you keep obsessing over a sin you have already been forgiven for, that is the enemy at work”.

 

[CuriousMike]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

It definitely sounds as though we must accept our wicked nature as a fact of our existence, but try as earnestly as possible to prevent it taking us over.

I will admit that the original post did answer itself in a backwards way. I see it as seeking clarification - “This is what I would like to know, and this is what I believe now - Is this right, wrong or can you clarify.”

 

[frangiuliano115]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

It definitely sounds as though we must accept our wicked nature as a fact of our existence, but try as earnestly as possible to prevent it taking us over.

I will admit that the original post did answer itself in a backwards way. I see it as seeking clarification - “This is what I would like to know, and this is what I believe now - Is this right, wrong or can you clarify.”

We’re all on a journey CuriousMike. We can only do our best - God knows the heart.

Are you married? Since the Church is the bride of Christ, I like to think of our rapport with Jesus in this way. You have an argument with your wife. Do you keep bringing it up, or do you argue about it once, get it taken care of, and then continue? It’s the same.

Fran

 

[CuriousMike]

We’re all on a journey CuriousMike. We can only do our best - God knows the heart.

Are you married? Since the Church is the bride of Christ, I like to think of our rapport with Jesus in this way. You have an argument with your wife. Do you keep bringing it up, or do you argue about it once, get it taken care of, and then continue? It’s the same.

Fran

No not married. I’ve never had a love life, nor do I feel the need for it as a young adult. I would prefer close, ‘good’ friendships or just being alone.

I have also been contemplating a vocation for the Priesthood, but since I’ve only been Catholic for a year, I need to give it time and let my faith grow further before going “diving right in”

 

[frangiuliano115]

No not married. I’ve never had a love life, nor do I feel the need for it as a young adult. I would prefer close, ‘good’ friendships or just being alone.

I have also been contemplating a vocation for the Priesthood, but since I’ve only been Catholic for a year, I need to give it time and let my faith grow further before going “diving right in”

You sound like a blessed person, and a wise one too.

Think everything over well. There will be much discerning to do, with which you’ll be helped along by mentors, but if you do decide to be a priest, we’ll all be very happy for you and also for us!

Fran

 

[CuriousMike]

You sound like a blessed person, and a wise one too.

Think everything over well. There will be much discerning to do, with which you’ll be helped along by mentors, but if you do decide to be a priest, we’ll all be very happy for you and also for us!

Fran

Blessed - Well, I suppose so. God is great!

Wise? I don’t think I can accept that. I’m still too young and inexperienced yet to know how to deal with every situation.

Thanks for your kind words

 

[frangiuliano115]

Blessed - Well, I suppose so. God is great!

Wise? I don’t think I can accept that. I’m still too young and inexperienced yet to know how to deal with every situation.

Thanks for your kind words

A person who knows what he knows
and knows what he does not know

is a wise person.

God bless you
Fran

 

[Vico]

I have just been reading some older posts here on CAF, and am wondering about the following:

Many of us feel guilty, unworthy, angry, disturbed (and so on) when we sin.
If we continue to focus on our failure, is that constant dwelling and obsession on the thought inviting more sin to occur?

If this is true - Is it a result of “obsessing” over what has past, rather than turning to God and re-establishing ourselves in faithful life?

There is a difference between focusing on our failure and obsessing over what has past. The word obsession indicates an abnormal degree. Is the focus on regret over voluntary sin or about what is involuntary? There can be value in reflection on particular influences to avoid future failures, but most important is not to consent to sin and to avoid situations. Since God gives us sufficient grace to overcome sin which is effective with our cooperation.