Mortal or Venial sin?

[carguy]

I have always believed and never turned my back on the church, but was told about masterbation being wrong. So when I was a teenage I had engaged in the action but I never knew about it being wrong. I will say with same shame that I was addicted to it. I tried to start quite, before I knew it was wrong because I come to conclusion that it was an addiction. I also have started to look more closely at if I am living as a good Christian should. Now I was about a day or two into quitting when started to look at the things the church has banned. Which is when I found out that it was a grave sin. Also, I am ashamed to admit that I did watch porn while engaging in such acts. So I want to know if I have committed a Mortal or Venial sins?

 

[teachccd]

I have always believed and never turned my back on the church, but was told about masterbation being wrong. So when I was a teenage I had engaged in the action but I never knew about it being wrong. I will say with same shame that I was addicted to it. I tried to start quite, before I knew it was wrong because I come to conclusion that it was an addiction. I also have started to look more closely at if I am living as a good Christian should. Now I was about a day or two into quitting when started to look at the things the church has banned. Which is when I found out that it was a grave sin. Also, I am ashamed to admit that I did watch porn while engaging in such acts. So I want to know if I have committed a Mortal or Venial sins?

You cannot commit a mortal sin unless you know that the matter is grave and then you give full consent to the act. Then it would be a mortal sin. I would HIGHLY recommend that you go to confession even if you did not commit a mortal sin definitively. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will give you the graces, along with the Eucharist, to avoid these sins in the future. It is one tough battle and we need all of the armor that we can get. So, if you did not know that what you did was wrong then there is no mortal sin but there could be from now on. Seek the advice of your confessor and make regular visits to the confessional. It’s funny how so many can become addicted to vices but so few become “addicted” to confession. I was one of those so I cannot throw any stones. I do make it a “habit” now to seek frequent absolutions to provide me with the necessary graces to go on… teachccd

 

[carguy]

You cannot commit a mortal sin unless you know that the matter is grave and then you give full consent to the act. Then it would be a mortal sin. I would HIGHLY recommend that you go to confession even if you did not commit a mortal sin definitively. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will give you the graces, along with the Eucharist, to avoid these sins in the future. It is one tough battle and we need all of the armor that we can get. So, if you did not know that what you did was wrong then there is no mortal sin but there could be from now on. Seek the advice of your confessor and make regular visits to the confessional. It’s funny how so many can become addicted to vices but so few become “addicted” to confession. I was one of those so I cannot throw any stones. I do make it a “habit” now to seek frequent absolutions to provide me with the necessary graces to go on… teachccd

Thank you for advice, I will go to confession. Also, I will say having read on why it is such a grave sin my temptation for it has dropped dramatically. Understanding why it is wrong has been a great help, but I have a question I know it is a sin to think lustfully, but is it a sin then when I see a pretty women and think that she is would that be lustful? Again this because I am trying very hard to better myself.

 

[fred_conty]

I think in your particular circumstance, I would recommend that you look at the birds and trees for a while and make it a practise to say a prayer to Mary when the occasion comes up.

Just a spiritual thought for you.

 

[teachccd]

I think in your particular circumstance, I would recommend that you look at the birds and trees for a while and make it a practise to say a prayer to Mary when the occasion comes up.

Just a spiritual thought for you.

I would agree. My confessor told me that when I see a pretty woman to thank God for His beauty in creation. At first I thought that might be a good thought but not reality but now I can do it with no problem. Like anything we need discipline in our lives. By default we will always choose the lesser pleasure.

 

[teachccd]

Thank you for advice, I will go to confession. Also, I will say having read on why it is such a grave sin my temptation for it has dropped dramatically. Understanding why it is wrong has been a great help, but I have a question I know it is a sin to think lustfully, but is it a sin then when I see a pretty women and think that she is would that be lustful? Again this because I am trying very hard to better myself.

There is no doubt that you are bettering yourself. You are in good company as we all struggle with temptation. Just stay on the path that you are on and things will be good.

 

[DexUK]

You can’t help your instincts, but you shouldn’t dwell on them to the extent that you then deliberately objectify a woman who you recognise as beautiful simply for the purposes of your own pleasure, since that impedes the expression of love and the potential for openness to procreation. Of course you shouldn’t also be deliberately viewing every woman as a potential wife and nothing else, since that is also objectification.

Cultivate ‘moderation’ in your thinking and you should be ok.

As for addiction to ‘unsavoury’ behaviours, well in the case of true addictions, the mortal element is lessened because you are not in full control of your behaviour, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t confess, since the Grace that you receive by virtue of a contrite heart and subsequent absolution is a strong defence, if you let it, against recurrence. It may be that you do forget yourself again, as a result of your habituation, but God only asks you to try your best. Keep going to confession, keep praying to the Holy Spirit for strength and don’t drown yourself in unnecessary self-guilt.