Is any mercy to be found for those who admit they do wrong

[FaithBuild18]

Even if they do not stop their immoral ways?

For example, if a person is addicted to something immoral or evil, will they receive any mercy for admitting that what they do is immoral or evil, even if they persist in their addiction? Compared to if they were to entirely deny or rationalize away the wrongness of their actions? (and assuming in both situations the individual persists in the immoral action)

It seems to me that it’s significant for one to say “Look, Lord, I know what I’m doing is wrong,” than if they were to rationalize and deny the wrongness in what they do. This is assuming of course, that in both situations the individual actually does indeed know what they do is wrong, but the difference is that in one situation the individual admits it, while in the other he denies it. Will there be any difference in judgement for the two situations? Or will they receive equal punishment for not stopping the immoral action?

Perhaps my impression is fueled by my frustration over moral relativity that runs rampant in the post-modern era. I’m always inspired when I see people admit true evil, acknowledging God’s natural moral law, when the more popular option seems to be to rationalize it away as simply being “different,” not immoral.

 

[Rich_C]

We have to do more than admit that what we did was evil, we have to be sorry for it. If we’re truly sorry we can receive God’s forgiveness through the sacrament of penance, or by an act of perfect contrition in extraordinary circumstances. Persistance in the same sin due to addication doesn’t un-do our repentance, though we’ll have to repent again, and again and again, if necessary. Addiction may lessen our guilt since consent of the will is required to make a sin mortal.

 

[holyghost]

My understanding is that if someone is an addict, their culpability to sin is lowered.
I am an addict in recovery, and I can only speak for myself, but there were many years that I did not admit to being an addict. It was only until I was able to admit that, and call myself an addict, that I could surrender and begin the process of recovery.
I think that admitting and surrendering to the truth brings great graces because its the working of the Holy Spirit. Conversion and repentance is a process.

 

[IrishRush]

I don’t think anyone can accurately tell you what “punishment” will be merited out to anyone, including for the scenarios you provided. Only God knows what he will require of us for our sinful natures.
But consider this point of view -
You’re a parent with 2 kids, let’s say they’re twins. They both habitually steal from the cookie jar (yes, I know I’m over-simplifying this but stay with me). Twin #1 says “Daddy, I’m so sorry I stole the cookies, I know it’s wrong but I can’t help it. I want to stop but I keep going back, even though I know it’s wrong.” Twin #2 says, “Yes, Daddy, I took cookies from the cookie jar but I wanted them and I don’t see anything wrong with taking it. It doesn’t matter that you said don’t do it, I wanted it so I don’t think it’s wrong.”
Which kid do you love less?
Exactly.
Like the other poster said, acknowledge and be honestly sorry for you sins. Your Father still loves you and always will. And will also always love the other guy too.
God bless you and strengthen you, through His Grace, in your resolve to resist the temptation to repeat your sins.

 

[St_Francis]

God will always love us, but in the one situation, the person is doing one wrong thing, and in the other situation, the person is, by denying the wrongfulness of what he does, doing *two *wrong things.

 

[fred_conty]

If a person admits their wrong, there is hope.
If a person admits their wrong, and then says “please have mercy on me Jesus, and help me to want to change” there is an enormous hope for them.

The sinner should keep saying this thruout the day.

Promise of God
Mt 7: 10-11
If you then are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more
will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Promise of God
John 14;13-14
“And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

The only thing these verses need for them to work is TRUST.

“O blood and water gushing forth from the heart of Jesus as a font of mercy on us, I trust in you.”