Lying--mortal sin in this case?

[Konohage]

I have a question concerning something that just happened to me.

I was studying for my biology quiz (which I take online) when my friend called me unexpectedly. I answered the phone, and she asked me to go with her to do some window shopping. I was wary about going with her, because I hadn’t eaten anything and was feeling a bit weak, and because I didn’t really feel like going. I was also planning on working on my bio studies some more.

So, I said, “I’m currently in the middle of a bio quiz.” As I was saying it, I realized I was lying, but I kind of meant it in the way that I was in the process of preparing for the quiz. However, after she asked me how long it would take, I corrected myself by saying “Well, I’m studying for the actual quiz right now,and then I’m going to take it.” She was cool about it, and said we could go tomorrow.

If I corrected myself and told her the truth, does the first lie still count, even though I didn’t persist in lying, but amended what I had said?

I didn’t mean to lie. I’m glad I got the chance to amend the lie and tell the truth.

Thank you. Just kind of worried I committed a mortal sin here.

 

[OpenSource]

Well, I may be wrong but I thought it would have to be a pretty severe lie to be mortal.

For example: Lying to the authorities about a criminal so the criminal would be safe and is able to go about victimizing people with your full knowledge that this would be a result of your lie…or lying about how many or the type of medication one should take that would be safe so the result would be the person would be sick or dying because of deliberate malice.

These are things that I would consider mortal. Not to justify the act, but it sounds like you were trying not to hurt her feelings by saying you were tied up rather than simply not wanting to go.

 

[achmafooma]

I don’t think it’s a mortal sin in this case because it doesn’t seem like grave matter. Whether you were in the middle of a quiz or in the middle of studying for a quiz doesn’t seem to be a serious distinction, given the context.

Add to that the fact that you didn’t intend to lie (it sounds to me more like you mis-spoke or just weren’t crystal clear), and you corrected it quickly…it sounds to me like it’s venial, at worst, if it was even a sin at all.

I am glad that you are trying to be aware of your sins – this is admirable, and you should keep doing it! But also be careful not to become scrupulous, that is, seeing sin where there is none.

Committing mortal sin requires full consent of the will, full knowledge, and that it concerns grave matter…in other words, it’s usually not something you can do by accident!

God bless you.

 

[Barbkw]

It puts a lot of inward pressure on a person to tell another person “no”.

What you might do (instead of having your mind develop all these specific avoidance scenarios) is to answer first on the positive and then let the person down easy.

Like:

“Thank’s for thinking of me! I’m busy with a project but I’d love to get back with you later.”

 

[odhiambo]

I have a question concerning something that just happened to me.

I was studying for my biology quiz (which I take online) when my friend called me unexpectedly. I answered the phone, and she asked me to go with her to do some window shopping. I was wary about going with her, because I hadn’t eaten anything and was feeling a bit weak, and because I didn’t really feel like going. I was also planning on working on my bio studies some more.

So, I said, “I’m currently in the middle of a bio quiz.” As I was saying it, I realized I was lying, but I kind of meant it in the way that I was in the process of preparing for the quiz. However, after she asked me how long it would take, I corrected myself by saying “Well, I’m studying for the actual quiz right now,and then I’m going to take it.” She was cool about it, and said we could go tomorrow.

If I corrected myself and told her the truth, does the first lie still count, even though I didn’t persist in lying, but amended what I had said?

I didn’t mean to lie. I’m glad I got the chance to amend the lie and tell the truth.

Thank you. Just kind of worried I committed a mortal sin here.

**
“I didn’t mean to lie. I’m glad I got the chance to amend the lie and tell the truth”
**
To me these two sentences you made are very important. you did not mean to lie. For us to commit a sin, the act has to be deliberate and taken with the full knowledge that one is lying.
The moment you realized that what you had said was not quiet the truth, you corrected it. I do not see any sin there. God always sees what is within us and He is a just God.

 

[slywakka250]

NOT mortal sin. . I’m concerned for you that you would consider this issue serious enough to post on this forum. Do you have obsessive thoughts about sin? I use too and it is a painful and joyless way to live.

 

[Konohage]

Thank you to all of you for your kind responses! They were most helpful, and God bless you all!

NOT mortal sin. . I’m concerned for you that you would consider this issue serious enough to post on this forum. Do you have obsessive thoughts about sin? I use too and it is a painful and joyless way to live.

Actually, this is part of my disorder (I am undiagnosed officially, but I have seen a counselor and have consulted two different doctors on the matter, both of which seem to agree with me) I have obsessive compulsive disorder, and one of the major ways it plays out is through scrupulosity. So, I often freak out over issues such as these Thank you for relating with me, it helps to know that I am not alone in dealing with these struggles, and that they can be overcome!

 

[baltobetsy]

Thank you to all of you for your kind responses! They were most helpful, and God bless you all!

Actually, this is part of my disorder (I am undiagnosed officially, but I have seen a counselor and have consulted two different doctors on the matter, both of which seem to agree with me) I have obsessive compulsive disorder, and one of the major ways it plays out is through scrupulosity. So, I often freak out over issues such as these Thank you for relating with me, it helps to know that I am not alone in dealing with these struggles, and that they can be overcome!

I’m so glad to hear you are getting some help. With scrupulosity, an essential part of the help you need is having a regular confessor who helps you with issues of conscience like this. I hope you can find someone to help you. Explain your situation to the priest and ask if he’s comfortable dealing with scrupulosity or if he can recommend someone who is.

 

[Konohage]

Thank you all again! I really, really appreciate it. God has been kind to me through the wonderful people on this forum, such as yourselves. God bless, all!