Mortal Sin Questions

[C794]

Can a person’s intent make an action grave matter, if it wouldn’t have been grave normally. For example, say someone made the right decision in a given situation, but they did so with sinful motives. Does this person’s motive make the action grave matter?

Also, say someone was put into a situation, by another person, in which thier natural response is to engage in mortally sinful behavior This is done without prior thought to the sinfulness of thier actions. After a short time (less than 30 seconds) they relize that what they were doing was wrong and instantly try and succeed at pulling themselves out of the sinful behavior. In this situation does the eventual resistance to the action prevent the sin from being mortal, or does it remain so?

 

[Least]

Definition of Mortal Sin is temporally weighted in the future. Thereby, avoid x so as to not offend the LORD,

And that you have the potential for forgiveness (if so needed) to restore your relationship with the LORD should you find yourself not in avoidance of “X” by “Y.”

  H   O   W   E   V   E   R

Any-thing that separates you from GOD, if left, is a Mortal Sin, if your conscience is so weighted that you require absolution than you should seek it WITHOUT PERSONAL CONDEMNATION OF YOURSELF, JUST WITH PERSONAL CONDEMNATION OF WHAT HAS SO WEIGHTED YOUR SOUL. If you seek absolution, and instead find, what has so vexed your conscience, should not have (however unlikely), you are doubly blessed.

 

[Edmundus1581]

Can a person’s intent make an action grave matter, if it wouldn’t have been grave normally. For example, say someone made the right decision in a given situation, but they did so with sinful motives. Does this person’s motive make the action grave matter?

Yes, of course. Let’s say, for example, I have true information which could lead to the arrest and conviction of Mr Smith for murder. If I were to give that information to the police **only **because I hate Mr Smith and want him executed than I have committed a mortal sin.

Also, say someone was put into a situation, by another person, in which thier natural response is to engage in mortally sinful behavior This is done without prior thought to the sinfulness of thier actions. After a short time (less than 30 seconds) they relize that what they were doing was wrong and instantly try and succeed at pulling themselves out of the sinful behavior. In this situation does the eventual resistance to the action prevent the sin from being mortal, or does it remain so?

This sounds just like temptation and resistance. There is no sin in being tempted, and there is no sin in being put into the occasion of sin, without our conscious consent.

 

[C794]

Thanks for the replies

 

[C794]

So these questions came about in a conversation that I was having with a friend, and we couldn’t come to a conclusion so we asked here. Recently we’ve been discussing I modified version of the first question and wanted to get more oppinions.

In this version a person is still making the right decision with the wrong motives, but in this case they had attempted to avoid the action because they had a feeling that their motives would be sinful. Despite them trying not to do the action, they are constantly exposed to the situation. As a result, they end up doing the action they had wanted to avoid. Afterwards, they realize that the action was something that was to be avoided because of possibly bad motives. Upon realizing this they begin reflecting on their motives hoping to find that their motives during the action weren’t actually bad. In this case could the person have comminted a mortal sin?

 

[Bookcat]

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