Is cheating/lying a grave matter and a mortal sin?

[JackVk]

Okay, I know cheating on a test is lying, and lying is a sin. And I know that a mortal sin must be a grave matter that I know is a sin, but I did it anyway. But here is what happened today:

I was taking a test in botany, and I was drawing and labeling a life cycle for a flower. I was at one label in which I knew what the structure was, I just forgot the name of it. My professor was talking to another student during the test and I heard him say the word I was looking for, so I labeled it. I’m pretty sure this counts as cheating, but I get up at 5:30 in the morning to go to Mass every day. I don’t know if I should receive the Eucharist tomorrow, because I am potentially in a state of mortal sin.

I am not a habitual cheater, for the record. I have lost a lot of points on tests because of honesty (which is a good thing). But my real question is: am I not in a state of grace?

 

[DJgang]

You heard your professor speaking to another student and a word that he spoke jogged your memory and YOU remembered the correct answer?

That is not cheating.

Leaning over and looking at your friends paper and copying the answers that you don’t know and / or asking another person for the answer … now THAT is cheating.

 

[Bookcat]

From the Compendium of the Catechism:vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#A)%20COMMON%20PRAYERS%20COMMON%20PRAYERS)

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

Now think back…and apply that to yourself at the time of the event…

 

[JackVk]

Wait a minute…I may have been waiting for my professor to say what I was looking for…so maybe it was sin

 

[Bookcat]

Wait a minute…I may have been waiting for my professor to say what I was looking for…so maybe it was sin

But was is a mortal sin?..see above …(of course we should avoid venial sins too…)

(did it even enter your mind at the time…that such a think could be grave?? (not to say it was))

 

[DJgang]

Wait a minute…I may have been waiting for my professor to say what I was looking for…so maybe it was sin

Maybe the professor should keep his mouth shut during tests if he doesn’t want to give away answers.

I don’t think you sinned. That’s my personal opinion. I hate to see you worry really hard over something that you probably didn’t intend on happening …

 

[slywakka250]

This sort of thing happens all the time.

I even had one professor right down the answer for me on my paper. If the professor said it, then he is ok with you having that information on the test.

 

[Willy_Jose]

…I was taking a test in botany, and I was drawing and labeling a life cycle for a flower. I was at one label in which I knew what the structure was, I just forgot the name of it. My professor was talking to another student during the test and I heard him say the word I was looking for, so I labeled it. I’m pretty sure this counts as cheating,…

No, consider it as a bit of divine providence, or maybe lady luck if you prefer
Definitely not cheating.