Reasons to stop sinning

[on_the_hill]

Suppose Joe goes out and gets drunk nearly every Saturday night. When he gets drunk on Saturday night, he misses Mass on Sunday.

Joe knows this is wrong–a sin. But he does it anyway.

Joe goes to confession, but before long he’s out drinking on Saturday nights.

Joe’s wife tells him that his drinking is hurting their relationship and the family. Joe is upset and promises to quit. But soon enough he’s out drinking on Saturday night again.

Joe’s not really an alcoholic–that is, he’s not addicted to alcohol. He’s a social drinker.

One day, Joe realizes that his drinking may be leading to health problems. He gets concerned enough that he stops drinking.

Because he stops drinking, he is able to attend Mass.

Which would be better–that he quit drinking because of his fear of medical consequences, or that he would quit drinking because it is sinful ?

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Suppose Joe goes out and gets drunk nearly every Saturday night. When he gets drunk on Saturday night, he misses Mass on Sunday.

Joe knows this is wrong–a sin. But he does it anyway.

Joe goes to confession, but before long he’s out drinking on Saturday nights.

Joe’s wife tells him that his drinking is hurting their relationship and the family. Joe is upset and promises to quit. But soon enough he’s out drinking on Saturday night again.

Joe’s not really an alcoholic–that is, he’s not addicted to alcohol. He’s a social drinker.

One day, Joe realizes that his drinking may be leading to health problems. He gets concerned enough that he stops drinking.

Because he stops drinking, he is able to attend Mass.

Which would be better–that he quit drinking because of his fear of medical consequences, or that he would quit drinking because it is sinful ?

Joe IS an alcoholic, sorry. If one breaks promises and misses obligations than that’s an addiction.

Joe’s motivation is irrelevant. What is important is his contrition of being sorry for having offended God and hurt others.

 

[Crusaderbear]

It is offensive to God. THAT is all the reason you need! Health concerns help, but offending God…

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

It is offensive to God. THAT is all the reason you need!

Yes, but when it comes to habitual sin or addiction it may not be possible to see the reasons of appeasing a God they cannot see when there is something ripping their life apart from that they can’t even see.

A less-worthy catalyst is finite would be prudent, however, when one reaches a more mentally healthy place in their recovery, that they turn it to Jesus.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Yes, you can work your way to it, out of addiction, but the final answer remains as I have stated. I am not convinced addiction just ‘happens’. at some point you chose to drink. In this modern age, when the effects of alcohol are widely known, offense to God is what should keep you from doing it to begin with!

As for myself, I suffered from cluster headaches though out my college years - a migraine on steroids - that made sure I didn’t get a chance to start down that road, so I am probably not the best source in this discussion!

 

[Vico]

Which would be better–that he quit drinking because of his fear of medical consequences, or that he would quit drinking because it is sinful ?

Because it is sinful, which means it is a moral choice.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Tell Joe to hit me up on here via email, cause I need a new drinking buddy and someone to play darts with, and maybe some bowling here n there, and that he can tell his wife I promise to get home safely in a cab before midnight. An to stop worrying about it because chances are that he can tell his wife if she stopped nagging so much he wouldn’t be out drinking on Saturday night.

Superblue, you seem to like making shocking statements, but I have to say that the last part of your post is incredibly rude and inappropriate. Responsible adults have conversations with their spouses and are not “Driven to drink” because they are “nagged.” Blaming the wife for the husband’s sin or addictions is really beyond the pale.

 

[on_the_hill]

This is purely a hypothetical. I’m sure Joe exists out there somewhere, but I made up him and his situation for purposes of discussion.

 

[on_the_hill]

You’re right, it doesn’t “just happen.” There’s a first drink, a first smoke, a first whatever. However, it is scientifically, empirically, clinically proven that some people are predisposed to addiction. Genetics play a large role in this. Maybe there will be a genetic test someday that will identify alcoholics and opioid addicts and nicotine addicts early enough that they can know to stay away from it.

Sure, you can tell everyone to stay away from it, but people make mistakes, make bad decisions. They listen to their doctors and take prescription pain medications according to the instructions and they end up as addicts. If you’re sensitive enough, I bet that you could have problems if you drink the wine at Mass.

So, no–it doesn’t just happen. There are pre-existing conditions that strike at that first drink. For some people, the threats associated with sin might be enough to help them recover. For many more, no amount of prayer, contemplation, etc. is going to help without some other intervention.

To answer my own question, it doesn’t matter whether a person reforms/recovers for religious or medical reasons.

 

[ATraveller]

For a Christian, the main motivation should always be God. A Christian must fight and wrestle sin until the end because he or she loves God.
Matthew 24:13

But the one who endures to the end will be saved

Luke 10:25-28

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him [Jesus] to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He [Jesus] said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he [lawyer] answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” 28 And he [Jesus] said to him [lawyer], “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

Hebrews 10:26-27

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgement, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Once again, reasons why I don’t like this forum at times. Sexist remarks and racist remarks.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Once again, reasons why I don’t like this forum at times. Sexist remarks and racist remarks.

If you notice, you will see that there is usually only a handful of people making these comments. Given the new trust system, I think we will be seeing less and less of them eventually as they get flagged posts.