Is contemplation of committing a mortal sin a mortal sin in itself?

[benkim]

If you’re contemplating murder is that a mortal sin in itself or does it become a mortal sin when actual intent becomes involved? What if you have actual intent to do such a thing, but decide against it later?

 

[Trishie]

If you’re contemplating murder is that a mortal sin in itself or does it become a mortal sin when actual intent becomes involved? What if you have actual intent to do such a thing, but decide against it later?

Is that intending to. or wishing you could momentarily in anger or distress? The latter is perhaps only a passing emotion? Feelings are not sinful in themselves, it’s what you do as a result that may be, it’s consenting to unloving feeling where sin enters. To intend to commit murder is culpable as it involves some sort of decision to kill, and you would need to repent and confess such an intention. To change your mind not to kill involves some kind of repentance for your former intention. One would be wise to take such intention to Confession…and to pray mightily for a great increase of love and forgiveness for others. Is that any help? Trishie

I always feel such a sense of injustice when anyone murders or brutalizes anyone. This person’s life is their own, God’s unique gift to that person. How dare anyone else steal it from them!
Some of us can be hard to take, I know. God help us to love where love and even liking is difficult.

 

[Matthias123]

Fantasizing about committing any sin, is a sin. Fantasizing about committing a mortal sin would most likely be a grave matter.

 

[teachccd]

Fantasizing about committing any sin, is a sin. Fantasizing about committing a mortal sin would most likely be a grave matter.

Wouldn’t the third requirement of full consent only present itself when the act is actually committed? Yes, contemplating murder is disordered and one may have full knowledge of that but without carrying out the act I cannot find that sin to be mortal, in my opinion. So, I agree that fantasizing about a disordered action is a sin but one’s culpability may be diminished if they decide how terrible that act would be and refrain from committing it. Obviously some type of conversion has taken place but this would best be discussed with a priest in the confessional if one’s thoughts were brought to that level…teachccd

 

[KingAlfred]

If you’re contemplating murder is that a mortal sin in itself or does it become a mortal sin when actual intent becomes involved? What if you have actual intent to do such a thing, but decide against it later?

I think even contemplating these things is sinful, but understandable, given our fallen nature. Man can’t help but sin constantly because of it. Fighting off evil thoughts is part and parcel of bearing our Cross. At the same time, however, I don’t think contemplating a mortal sin, one that’s never carried out, is a mortal sin in itself. Our minds are constantly entertaining crazy notions, because we’re human, and deeply flawed. Christian self-mastery never ends, because we can never achieve the Lord’s perfection; yet try we must, always.

 

[benkim]

That’s what I was thinking because the three requirements for a sin to be mortal are 1. Serious matter, 2. Knowledge/firm belief that the act is seriously wrong prior to committing the act, and 3. Full consent of the will. And just contemplating doing the act in itself doesn’t meet the third requirement, which states that there must be full intent or consent to do the act. I’m a little iffy on that matter, however.

Oh yeah and I’m not contemplating murder right now, the question is purely hypothetical.

 

[2Bcatholic]

It seems to me that this would be a mortal sin because it was of grave matter, new it was grave matter and actually had the intent to carry out the deed even though one changed the mind at some point. Sounds like it meets the requirements to me!!!

First thought that came to my mind was when Jesus was addressing those about adultery and He said even if you look at a woman with lust in your heart you have already committed adultery…they didn’t actually have to follow through with the complete act before it was considered adultery so one can sin mortally even with thoughts

 

[benkim]

It seems to me that this would be a mortal sin because it was of grave matter, new it was grave matter and actually had the intent to carry out the deed even though one changed the mind at some point. Sounds like it meets the requirements to me!!!

I was just talking about contemplation of committing a mortal sin in my second post. Nothing about intent or changing ones mind in that post.

 

[2Bcatholic]

If you’re contemplating murder is that a mortal sin in itself or does it become a mortal sin when actual intent becomes involved? What if you have actual intent to do such a thing, but decide against it later?

Didn’t you say if you have actual intent but decide against it later? I was answering the original question!

 

[Pro_Domina]

Uh duh.
So much so that the last two commandments are against contemplating two others.

 

[Matthias123]

Wouldn’t the third requirement of full consent only present itself when the act is actually committed? Yes, contemplating murder is disordered and one may have full knowledge of that but without carrying out the act I cannot find that sin to be mortal, in my opinion. So, I agree that fantasizing about a disordered action is a sin but one’s culpability may be diminished if they decide how terrible that act would be and refrain from committing it. Obviously some type of conversion has taken place but this would best be discussed with a priest in the confessional if one’s thoughts were brought to that level…teachccd

Wouldn’t the third requirement of full consent only present itself when the act is actually committed?

Forgive me I don’t understand what you are trying to say. I was submitting that fantasizing about committing murder would be a separate matter in its self. It would be a sin of fantasizing and taking pleasure out of of betraying Jesus on the cross and separating your self from God. This is not just disordered it is gravely disordered. The act of murder in its self would be a grave matter but of a significantly higher degree.

So, I agree that fantasizing about a disordered action is a sin but one’s culpability may be diminished if they decide how terrible that act would be and refrain from committing it.

Once again I think you are looking at it as one sin instead of two separate independent sins.

Obviously some type of conversion has taken place but this would best be discussed with a priest in the confessional if one’s thoughts were brought to that level.

Good advice

 

[Verbum_Caro]

benkim,

A desire to sin can be a sin. If the desire to sin includes a deliberate intention to fulfill the desire (i.e. a deliberate intention to act to obtain what is desired) then the desire itself would be a sin. The gravity of this sin is determined by the gravity of the aimed at act.

In moral theology this is sometimes known as an “efficacious desire”.

What do you think?
VC

 

[larry85704]

Humm

God got upset with Adam. Bad for Adam, right?

But God didn’t want mankind to be separated from Him forever so He sent Jesus. Actions count.

In my book, no action, no sin.