Mortal sin and Scripture . .

[ziapueblo]

I know that 1 John 5 talks of sin that is deadly. Does Scripture list what sins are mortal or is that part of our Holy Tradition? Thanks,

God bless,
ZP

 

[DavidFilmer]

Does Scripture list what sins are mortal or is that part of our Holy Tradition?

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2–17, Deuteronomy 5:6–21) is a rather comprehensive list. I can’t think of any act which might constitute a mortal sin that is not covered in some way by the Decalouge.

But, remember, the act itself is only part of what makes a sin “mortal.” It is possible to break every Commandment a thousand times but never commit a mortal sin.

In fact, the Church teaches that it is impossible to know with absolute certainty if a particular sin is mortal. A well-formed conscience and a sincere self-examination should give us a pretty good idea, but we can never be absolutely certain. This is one reason the Church encourages frequent Confession.

 

[ziapueblo]

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2–17, Deuteronomy 5:6–21) is a rather comprehensive list. I can’t think of any act which might constitute a mortal sin that is not covered in some way by the Decalouge.

But, remember, the act itself is only part of what makes a sin “mortal.” It is possible to break every Commandment a thousand times but never commit a mortal sin.

In fact, the Church teaches that it is impossible to know with absolute certainty if a particular sin is mortal. A well-formed conscience and a sincere self-examination should give us a pretty good idea, but we can never be absolutely certain. This is one reason the Church encourages frequent Confession.

Thanks!

 

[Nita]

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 5:21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things **shall not inherit the kingdom of God. **

Ephesians 5:5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

 

[Nita]

In fact, the Church teaches that it is impossible to know with absolute certainty if a particular sin is mortal. A well-formed conscience and a sincere self-examination should give us a pretty good idea, but we can never be absolutely certain. This is one reason the Church encourages frequent Confession.

The Church teaches that we cannot judge whether **another person **is guilty of mortal sin (since we cannot know their mind and heart). But it has always been my understanding that as individuals we can and should judge whether or not we are personally guilty of mortal sin – (that we knew a particular act was a grave offense against God, that knowing this we freely chose to do it anyway).

The Church tells us we may not receive Holy Communion if we are in the state of mortal sin. That automatically means we must be able to judge/discern whether or not we have committed a mortal sin.

Nita