Mortal sin easy or difficult to commit?

[EJJH]

Atassnia…You raise an excellent point. You have the three conditions necessary for a mortal or grave sin.

However, as a Catholic theologian, I raise the issue of whether any of us can truly understand what a life in an eternal hell is like. If we could experience one day in hell, would we have committed the action?

I had OCD in the area of scrupulosity. I saw mortal sins in almost every normal action. I went to confession countless times over a thirty year period. Looking back, at 72, with a better understanding of human acts, I can confidently say that NONE of my perceived grave actions were mortal sins.

Pope Francis has had some wise observations about judging others who apparently live sinful lives. We cannot judge. Only God can.

I wrote a book about Luther…“Table Talk with Martin Luther”. Was his break with the Catholic church a mortal sin? He had OCD and would spend up to nine hours in confession. I think if he had had access to medication available today that successfully treats scrupulosity, he may not have been the person who began the Protestant Reformation. The popes at the time were anything but saints. Popes Julius II and Leo X led corrupt personal lives.

Eternity is unknown to us as the hymn “Amazing Grace” points out…“when we’ve been there ten thousand years, we’ve only just begun”…at what point can one make a choice for eternal punishment?

I think there are souls in hell…the Hitlers, Stalins, and those who make hatred of God and others their mission in life. As to the billions of others who have lived and died, I cannot judge.

 

[DMC12]

It seems to me that it is difficult to commit a mortal sin. The three conditions for a mortal sin are:

1) It involves serious matter.
2) Full consent.
3) Full knowledge.

I could not find the three conditions in the CCC. Therefore, I could be mistaken. I can truthfully say that only one time in my life I committed a mortal sin-- I still sinned because I wanted to and did not care about the consequences. Yes, I went to confession and received absolution.

I just know that I have broken my relationship with Jesus when I go to Confession. So, why do people talk about committing mortal sin as if it were easy. Meeting all three of these conditions seems to be rather difficult to me. What do you think?

because for some of us unfortunately is.

 

[atassina]

DMC12, this is my exact point: someone may think they are committing a mortal sin when it is a lesser sin, which is still a spiritual problem. Were there any conditions that may have prevented full cooperation of the will? Problems such as fatigue, emotional issues, high stress, physical problems or any other mitigating conditions.

 

[JRKH]

DMC12, this is my exact point: someone may think they are committing a mortal sin when it is a lesser sin, which is still a spiritual problem. Were there any conditions that may have prevented full cooperation of the will? Problems such as fatigue, emotional issues, high stress, physical problems or any other mitigating conditions.

The above summarizes well the problem that I see with how the “three conditions” are often expressed. It also demonstrates how we can become entangled in legalities and miss the larger and more important picture.
Unfortunately the Catechism is not entirely clear on the matter either…at least not to me. (though bookcat keeps trying to explain it to me…)

However - the larger picture seems to be ignored in such discussions.
Our journey to God is not about avoiding sin. That is much more of an OT outlook.
Rather our journey is one of growing in holiness - of becoming perfect (in Agape) as as our heavenly father is perfect (Mt 5:48).

ALL sin, freely and knowingly committed, should be abhorrent to us no matter how large or small. It should be so for no other reason than because it violates the law of Love and injures our relationship with the one we are to love more than anything or anyone else.
Yes God is merciful and patient and will forgive us many things. But this does not mean that we should somehow see some things as acceptable because we know we can be forgiven. Such a view is presumption.

Concentrating on the levels of sin is looking in the wrong direction. It is like looking over ones’ shoulder instead of looking at the goal.

The Goal and the path are described as narrow. Therefore - it is wise to concentrate less on where we have been than on where we are going. Stay as near the center of the path as possible and keep an eye firmly fixed on the “narrow gate”.

Too much focus on what may or may not be mortal sin is like asking, “how close to the ditch can I wander without falling in?”

Sorry about prattling on so…

In the final analysis - what constitutes mortal sin in a specific often has to be determined by the penitent and their confessor. More often than not, we can know that we have deliberately sinned, but not necessarily know how seriously.

There is not clear cut answer to the OP question - is it hard or easy to commit mortal sin. In the end, the answer will vary based on the individual, the circumstances, and where they are in their journey.

I wish only to suggest that we all place greater importance and focus on growing in holiness and what helps us to do that - and less emphasis on the various intricacies of what offends God.

Just some thoughts…

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

To cut some bits:

Concentrating on the levels of sin is looking in the wrong direction. It is like looking over ones’ shoulder instead of looking at the goal.

The Goal and the path are described as narrow. Therefore - it is wise to concentrate less on where we have been than on where we are going. Stay as near the center of the path as possible and keep an eye firmly fixed on the “narrow gate”.

Too much focus on what may or may not be mortal sin is like asking, “how close to the ditch can I wander without falling in?”

Sorry about prattling on so…

…

I wish only to suggest that we all place greater importance and focus on growing in holiness and what helps us to do that - and less emphasis on the various intricacies of what offends God.

Part of knowing and remaining on the “narrow” way - is avoiding the deliberate jumping off of the various cliffs along the way…of knowing where those cliffs are. To be able to read the road signs as to what to avoid and where one is safe from such cliffs.

And many are just starting off along the path and are learning to understand the signs. Just as one must focus more on any matter when first learning it or getting a refresher course…or going deeper…think of how one focused when one learned to drive a car.

Yes that is not all there is - that is not the only “focus” – but we* are* faced with navigating through the culture of death – so such is part of it.

But Yes one can “overly focus” on such things…

Or to put in the way early Christians (and the Catechism) put its it also – there is a* way of death* and* a way of life* --and great is the difference between them.

They then proceed to do what? - list aspects of those ways…including what is of the way of death. It is good to be able to judge what is of death (mortal sin) and consoling to know that one is still living (though there are daily venial sins to repent of and work on) –still on the path of life.

Why?

So we can well choose the way of life (-though there will be still “venial sins” that happen as one travels that way - for those who are in “true life”.)

(To step into another analogy…but then return…

Such is part of the Christian life. While yes one is to avoid all sin - it is important to know what is what - just as in bodily heath it is important to know how to avoid Cancer to know what leads to it - and if one has it so it can be treated – more than say a cold or a cut on the hand that can heal from within.

But then again one ought not focus overly on such either – but live.)

Now what is the focus? The way of life! Including virtue - yes especially Faith, Hope and Love.

Or better yet ~ Who is* the focus*?

Jesus of Nazareth, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 

[JRKH]

Excellent Post BC…

Peace
James

 

[atassina]

james and book cat, really enjoyed both your posts will read fulfillment of all desire it on my shelf the OP

 

[Oreoracle]

It seems to me that it is difficult to commit a mortal sin. The three conditions for a mortal sin are:

1. It involves serious matter.
2. Full consent.
3. Full knowledge.

I’m not sure if this has been pointed out already, but if we agree with Socrates’ belief that evil is committed through ignorance and confusion rather than through malice, then it is impossible to commit mortal sins, at least in the strict sense given above.

 

[Bookcat]

I’m not sure if this has been pointed out already, but if we agree with Socrates’ belief that evil is committed through ignorance and confusion rather than through malice, then it is impossible to commit mortal sins, at least in the strict sense given above.

Socrates - as wise as he was did not get such right. Hence Christians do not agree with such (if your correct in recalling that he thought such)…though of course such would be partially correct - * some* evil is done via ignorance or confusion…

 

[EJJH]

I agree that it is difficult to commit a mortal sin…Socrates had it right.

 

[Bookcat]

Such does not fit into a blanket answer of easy or not – persons are different and in different places in life…and in the spiritual life…it can be “easy” for some and less so for others …but certainly God is faithful and gives us his grace -so let us always turn to him to avoid such – and if we should fall -turn right away to God --Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he wants us to have true life!

Here is the complete text from the Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a8.htm#IV

Also from the Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI:

395. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

396. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[sebastian1213]

I only wish it weren’t so easy. It is far easier for me to commit mortal sin than it is for me to get myself to confession. I wish that were the other way around.

aLearn to truly love the Sacrament, itself, not only for the forgiveness it provides, but the grace to avoid future relapses. I have read of what are referred to as 'devotional" confessions and those are made, not so much to just confess sins, but also to acknowledge the propensity to commit sin. I ahve actually found that I want to go more, not less often.

 

[DMC12]

i would like to comment something i found important, is about something called 5 steps to become an atheist. one of them was consider all sin mortal, of course all sin is bad, but considering all sin being mortal is a goodway to atheism, despair, or mental problems.

 

[mgoforth]

If God is placed first in ones life and if one seeks only to please Him - then sinning of any kind is difficult. But if one does not place God first in their lives…sinning, even serious sinning, becomes quite easy.

Best answer.