How does one avoid Mortal Sin

[JRKH]

In another thread the title asked “How does one commit mortal sin”…After some discussion of the matter, our friend “Prodigal son” posted this.

I keep looking at the title of this thread and asking myself, “Why would someone want *instructions *on how to commit mortal sin?”

I thought this was a most interesting thought and replied with…
hhmmmm Interestingly - In this wonderful little jest, I think you have sort of hit the nail on the head here.

Even though we know such questions are asked with the intent of trying to avoid mortal sin…it really does take on the sense of giving instruction on how to commit mortal sin.

If we were to turn this title around and ask instead, how does one avoid mortal sin - what would the answers be?
In fact I like this idea so much that I am going to make a separate thread to perhaps get a wider (name removed by moderator)ut.

So here I am…asking the question… How does one avoid mortal sin?

What say you…

Peace
James

 

[Jeanne_S]

Daily prayer,rosary,frequent confession,Mass,by making God the center of your life.Focusing on Him.

 

[Sirach2]

The valid response that outdoes all others is found in today’s gospel with Jesus telling the pharisees to Love God, and Love neighbor - the two great commandments.

If one truly loves God with all their being, they will avoid sin like the plague. As St. Dominic Savio stated, “Death before committing mortal sin.”

 

[Boswell]

This should be a most interesting thread…

First of all, one should try to avoid ALL sin, mortal and venial, which I try to do, but having the frailties of human, fail at miserably every day. It’s taken me 70 years, but I am now terrified of mortal sin (which I should have been all along) and the consequences thereof. In order to avoid the occasions of sin which seem to be the most problematic for me, I surround myself with sacramentals such as a rosary at all times in my pocket; a rosary hanging from my rear-view mirror (difficult to drive to someplace I shouldn’t be with Christ on the Crucifix staring right at me); a small Crucifix hanging over the TV screen and laptop on my desk, etc.

I start each day with my morning prayers: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I will begin this day…” and use my iMissal to read the Mass readings for the day and read a short bio of the Saint of the Day. I also attend Mass on Wednesday and the Communion Service on Thursday.

I just try to fit my activities around my time with God rather than the other way around.

Boswell

 

[dividus]

An excellent title for a thread.
My experience of Mortal Sin is that any temporary pleasure is far outweighed by the remorse,guilt about others you have hurt, loneliness and misery you feel later.Probably years later. It would be well to reflect on this if tempted by Mortal Sin.

 

[nuntym]

• JMJ +

I’d say let yourself be tempted…by good deeds

 

[ffg]

My first thought was that to avoid means if action is not done, we will crash.

However, that would fly in the face of the definition of Mortal Sin, as it is our action that causes the sin if full knowledge of the grave matter was present when acting.

Therefore, if our desire is to avoid this term and State of soul, one must constantly be conciously offering up our thoughts and activities to God (make our life a prayer).

However good we are at multi-tasking, it’s really hard to be praying and sinning.

 

[marlap2]

Remembering that Christ died on the cross to FREE you from bondage from that sin. Your baptism sealed you to Him forever and satan has no hold on you. You might be listening to the evil one’s horrible taunts and condemnations. Don’t listen to him!

Immerse yourself in the sacraments, avoid near occasions of sin, stay away from circumstances, people or opportunities that might lead you there. After a period of time, like any addiction the desire to sin or temptation will abate.

Fight the good fight and don’t be afraid to ask for prayer. And know that your past might be an opportunity to help lift someone else out of the mire that you were stuck in, as a wounded healer, united with Christ. But in the meantime, allow Christ to lead you through this.

Peace!

 

[englishredrose]

Two answers and neither be popular on a Catholic board but am not having a go or anything just two answers that came to my head.

1. Don’t believe in God. If you don’t believe in God then you don’t sin and therefore dont do mortal sin is one way of avoiding Mortal Sin
2. Dont follow the Roman Catholic Faith of God and that way too one avoids Mortal sin. ONe may still sin depending on how the Church of your faith teaches it but Mortal sin isn’t something am particularly concerned about being anglican and therefore don’t have any quelms about avoiding mortal sin. Sin is just sin whatever commandment it comes under it is a Sin. Whether Mortal or Venile is irrelevent to me and makes it all very complicated when it needn’t. We have a hard enough time forgivining each other so to categorise our sins when at the end of it we still need to be sorry for any real peace seems fruitless. It that we sinned is the error of our ways, not what category it is. So by accepting Sin is all Sin then we can avoid mortal sin by its definition because it all sin anyway:thumbsup:

 

[Bookcat]

Conversi ad Dominum

Turn to the Lord.

Keep ones heart turned towards God.

One way to do this that is very good and ancient - is frequent “short prayers” -

– during all of life.

Work, reading, walking, shopping, recreation…

 

[WaitingForJesus]

Begging God to give me the grace I need not to do such things.

Staying away from people/places/activities that tempt me.

Keeping my mind on God through prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments.

 

[JRKH]

So many great answers

The commonality I see in many is the idea of love (agape) and focus - keeping focused on God and building up Love in our hearts.

It’s interesting that - in the many answers provided so far - none actually point to a need to know what mortal sin IS in order to avoid it. Rather they all point to the need to be properly focused on God and on Love and grace and prayer and good loving actions in order to avoid mortal sin.

Just to add my own thoughts to the mix…
I’ve long held the view that the issues of knowledge and choice were heavier than the issue of matter. In fact it is my view that knowledge and free choice increase the seriousness of the sin regardless of the gravity of the matter - but that would be for another thread.
The answers here seem to back up this idea. Answers like, avoid all sin, pray always, focus on God etc…all point to the issue of knowledge and choice…with choice being predominant. If you know something violates the law of love…then don’t do it…If you strongly suspect that something violates the law of love…then don’t do it…
Don’t worry about the particular gravity of a given sinful act…Just don’t do it…

I propose that this line of thinking would be useful to us in answering the various questions posed by members (often new ones) about “what is mortal sin” or what is grave matter or sufficient knowledge etc…
Rather than trying to discuss and define the finer points of the 3 requirements perhaps it we would be wise to try to redirect the poster to the more positive and properly focused course of Love and mercy and hope.

Peace
James

 

[ready]

How does one avoid mortal sin? By detesting all sin, even venial sins; with lots of prayer, spiritual reading and sacrifices/penances; plus by practicing the Presence of God and by avoiding all near occasions of sin. God bless you.