Is this a mortal sin?

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catholic0913

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Hello,
I felt envious to someone and I wished that the person would get some physical harm, but as soon as the thought came I rejected the idea and thought “I really shouldn’t feel envy towards this person and I really should not wish the person any harm.”
I honestly don’t know why the thought came and I am wondering if I had committed mortal sin.
 
Sounds like more of a temptation. Once you realized what you were thinking, you took it back. I don’t believe you had full consent.
 
Sometimes in a bad mood, I had often thought I would like to throw somebody down an elevator shaft. Particularly when they harassed me and accused me of lying to them.

It’s normal to feel like retaliating, but of course entertaining the thought is not a good idea. Thoughts are not sins unless you keep thinking about it and truly wish to harm someone. I am sure if we knew everybody’s thoughts, we would be shocked.

When I came home upset after dealing with someone at work, my father used to say, “Imagine how he or she would look in their underwear. Then you’ll stop being angry. Understand that when you are give that person power over you let them get you mad.”
 
This is a classic example of spiritual warfare. Not all thoughts come from ourselves, Satan can plant evil thoughts in our minds as a temptation. What matters is how we respond to those temptations. You did the right thing in rejecting it and its only when we give into the thought, that is say “yes”, that the thought becomes a sin.

Now knowing this you’ll be better prepared for combat. I would suggest that in addition to rejecting the thought, that you also offer up a Hail Mary for the individual(s) that you were tempted to sin against. That way, you earn great merit for your soul and at the same time, you’ll lovingly benefit the souls of others. You will also render the enemy’s attacks fruitless.

Also, if you don’t already I would pray the Rosary daily. The Rosary bestows upon us heaven’s protection.

God bless you
 
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