Is using the Lords name in Vain in my head a mortal sin?

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Milena

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So, recently I went to confession, and oh how happy I was when I got out! But…unfortunately shortly after I got out I used the Lords name in vain in my head…to be specific I opened my car door and saw a mess and thought “Gosh Darnit” …only that wasn’t the phrase I used if you catch my drift. I felt so terrible! But the words never left my mouth…is it still a mortal sin ?
 
Milena said:
So, recently I went to confession, and oh how happy I was when I got out! But…unfortunately shortly after I got out I used the Lords name in vain in my head…to be specific I opened my car door and saw a mess and thought “Gosh Darnit” …only that wasn’t the phrase I used if you catch my drift. I felt so terrible! But the words never left my mouth…is it still a mortal sin ?
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Hi Milena- Using God’s name in vain is certainly grave matter but it sounded like more of a “reflex”…not the full knowledge and full consent in order to be a mortal sin. Your priest would be a better person to give you guidance though.
 
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You may be confusing grave matter with mortal sin…it may not even be mortal sin to say it aloud. Mortal sin requires: a. Grave Matter, b. Full Knowledge of gravity of action, and c. Full Consent.

So, assuming taking the Lord’s name in vain is Grave Matter, and assuming you are aware of taking the Lord’s name in vain is Grave Matter, that leave full consent…did you consciously take the Lord’s name in vain, defiantly, or did the emotion of the situation take over, and you simply did not restrain yourself? If so, it may very well have been venial rather than mortal, but take it to the Lord for forgiveness in prayer and your nightly examination of conscience, and take it to confession anyway, if it is weighing on your soul!
 
So what does it truly mean to use His name in Vain? Also I’ve been wondering this, and plan on confessing this soon, but if I think about using the Lords name in Vain does that count as a mortal sin? Like if I think “Gosh Darnit!” …only not that exact phrase if you know what I mean…I appreciate your time and answers !
 
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Welcome to CAF!

I see that you already started a thread on this yesterday. Starting another one will only confuse things, so you should continue the conversation in your existing thread 🙂
 
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Hey, just don’t do it. Don’t think it. It is habitual and you can break that.
 
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Recite the Divine Praises once or twice a day. It did wonders to curb my use of using the Lord’s name in vain, and other unsavory words, as well. I found about this in an old Latin Mass missal. It was titled “An Act of Reparation for Profane Language”, but it was a slightly shorter version of the Divine Praises. Hope you find this helpful.
 
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Administrative note: the mods merged the OP’s two almost-duplicate threads together, so that’s why you see her asking twice, also well as my now-confusing comment 🙂
 
As Jesus taught, sins can be committed in both thought and deed.

That being said, as others have noted, mortal sins have to be a deliberate choice. That being said, it can’t hurt to confess venial sins as well.
 
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If you have to ask, it’s probably not a mortal sin, seeing as that indicates a lack of full knowledge and, in this case, deliberate consent.

Talk to your priest if you’re concerned about it, not a bunch of anonymous message board posters.
 
I’m not sure this is considered grave matter, anyway, although it can certainly become a bad habit.
 
In my opinion (don’t take this as fact) with how common the phrase OMG is it’s hard to avoid it and it’s usually habitual and accidental

I’ve even heard many of my favorite priests use it innocently in conversations

If it’s a sin at all in these instances it’s likely venial

My advice is don’t focus on it (because you’ll likely just make your focus make it more sinful since you know what you’re doing)
And also try to turn into a GOSH or any other word you prefer
But there are far worse than OMG In my opinion
 
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