Occasions of sin

[Joseph_DiBari]

I’m having a little trouble phrasing my question. Basically, can one be guilty of a mortal sin by intention, and by deliberately placing themselves in bad circumstances / near occasions of sin? Let’s say I wanted to commit a sin against purity, or maybe an act of revenge against someone, and let’s say I planned it and orchestrated things to that effect but stopped almost at the last second due to conscience as well as a knowledge of the future guilt and inconvenience which would be added to my life. How much sin would I be guilty of? Is it possible to commit a mortal sin of desire, basically, by wallowing in bad thoughts and plans? I have had some people tell me it is simply a matter of resisting temptation, and therefore a virtuous thing, and others tell me that in such a situation I am guilty of the mortal sin because I probably fully intended to commit the sin until the last minute when i changed my mind. Sorry if this seems convoluted or if this question has been asked before, I am grateful for any advice offered

 

[Trishie]

I would certainly confess the intention, but also give God thanks and praise that God offered the grace to withdraw from acting out the intended sin, and the grace to accept.
There is sin in the intention, but grace in desisting, but it really is a matter a person needs to take to confession. Jesus does take seriously the desire to act in sin . Consider what He said about lust. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
However there is a radical difference between actually murdering someone, or committing rape, than just thinking about it then resisting.The person is actually unharmed…but regarding your own soul, that is a matter between your priest in Confession and God.

Whatever it was, I thank God for your sake and those involved that you resisted the temptation strong as it evidently was.
May God continue to bless you.

 

[Bookcat]

I’m having a little trouble phrasing my question. Basically, can one be guilty of a mortal sin by intention, and by deliberately placing themselves in bad circumstances / near occasions of sin? Let’s say I wanted to commit a sin against purity, or maybe an act of revenge against someone, and let’s say I planned it and orchestrated things to that effect but stopped almost at the last second due to conscience as well as a knowledge of the future guilt and inconvenience which would be added to my life. How much sin would I be guilty of? Is it possible to commit a mortal sin of desire, basically, by wallowing in bad thoughts and plans? I have had some people tell me it is simply a matter of resisting temptation, and therefore a virtuous thing, and others tell me that in such a situation I am guilty of the mortal sin because I probably fully intended to commit the sin until the last minute when i changed my mind. Sorry if this seems convoluted or if this question has been asked before, I am grateful for any advice offered

YES. Mortal sin can be via not only action but via thoughts and desires or omissions.

Mortal sin begins here long before the action that is desired is done (presuming the full knowledge and complete consent).

It is good and a response presumably to actual grace that one stopped and did not make the mortal sin worse by carrying it into action. So the person would continue to respond to grace and repent and go to confession confessing their mortal sins (in number and kind and circumstance that changes the kind…like it was ones brother one was going to murder but did not carry out).

Can one be “tempted” and have all sorts of thoughts come to one without ones seeking them that one does not consent to? Yes and the non consent – the reject then can be an act of virtue. Though in the case of “putting oneself into a near occasion of mortal sin” that can have been a sin too depending on what is meant by that–so the person could discuss with their confessor.

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

1853 Sins can be distinguished according to their objects, as can every human act; or according to the virtues they oppose, by excess or defect; or according to the commandments they violate. They can also be classed according to whether they concern God, neighbor, or oneself; they can be divided into spiritual and carnal sins, or again as sins in thought, word, deed, or omission. The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will, according to the teaching of the Lord: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man."128 But in the heart also resides charity, the source of the good and pure works, which sin wounds.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a8.htm#II

Compendium:

1. 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.

1. 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#Life%20in%20Christ

 

[Bookcat]

I’m having a little trouble phrasing my question. Basically, can one be guilty of a mortal sin by intention, and by deliberately placing themselves in bad circumstances / near occasions of sin? Let’s say I wanted to commit a sin against purity, or maybe an act of revenge against someone, and let’s say I planned it and orchestrated things to that effect but stopped almost at the last second due to conscience as well as a knowledge of the future guilt and inconvenience which would be added to my life. How much sin would I be guilty of? Is it possible to commit a mortal sin of desire, basically, by wallowing in bad thoughts and plans? I have had some people tell me it is simply a matter of resisting temptation, and therefore a virtuous thing, and others tell me that in such a situation I am guilty of the mortal sin because I probably fully intended to commit the sin until the last minute when i changed my mind. Sorry if this seems convoluted or if this question has been asked before, I am grateful for any advice offered

YES. Mortal sin can be via not only action but via thoughts and desires, intentions or omissions.

Mortal sin begins here long before the action that is desired is done (presuming the full knowledge and complete consent).

It is good and a response presumably to actual grace that one stopped and did not make the mortal sin worse by carrying it into action. So the person would continue to respond to grace and repent and go to confession confessing their mortal sins (in number and kind and circumstance that changes the kind…like it was ones brother one was going to murder but did not carry out).

Can one be “tempted” though and have all sorts of thoughts come to one without ones seeking them that one does not consent to? Yes and the non-consent – the reject then can be an act of virtue.

Though in the case of “putting oneself into a near occasion of mortal sin” that can too have been a sin too depending on what is meant by that–so the person could discuss with their confessor.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd – the person ought to make an act of perfect contrition right away --and run to him in confession. He loves us.