So what's the big deal about venial sins?

[ToeInTheWater]

Longtime lurker and occasional poster here. This forum (and some related ones) has many questions about “is X a mortal sin or not?” but not as many questions about whether something is a venial sin. I often get the idea that Catholics think venial sins are “Sin Lite”, no big deal, since they’re not going to send you to Hell. Especially in the masturbation topics, people often seem to say “masturbation isn’t always a mortal sin” and I get the impression they are very close to saying it’s not really a sin it all, that people who have a legitimate reason (such as immaturity, force of habit, etc) for this downgrade in this sin can go on masturbating all they want and not feel guilty about it at all.

Now, in Protestant belief, there is no difference between venial and mortal sin…ALL sins are, essentially, mortal. Now, to OSAS adherents the nature of sin is almost irrelevant since they focus more on how it’s having faith in Jesus that saves you. But not all Protestants believe in OSAS, and I don’t really see them caring about the distinction, either.

Anyway, if someone could explain what a venial sin is, what ill effects they have, and why you should care about them, I’d appreciate it.

 

[Trishie]

No, it is a fact that venial sins do matter.
And there is no free card to dodge serious sin. If a person does commit a serious sin out of habit, then they have a serious responsibility to break the habit.
They cannot fool God by hiding behind weakness if they allow it to go on without seriously working to avoid occasions of sin.
And ‘little’ sins are an offence against God and often other people.
They matter as such, and they also easily cause escalation into more serious sin.

And you mean that if I kill someone, it’s as serious to a Protestant as if I didn’t obediently put the garbage out when told by my parents?

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a8.htm

 

[Trishie]

1876 The repetition of sins - even venial ones - engenders vices, among which are the capital sins.

II. THE DEFINITION OF SIN
1849 Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as "an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law."121
1850 Sin is an offense against God: "Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight."122 Sin sets itself against God’s love for us and turns our hearts away from it. Like the first sin, it is disobedience, a revolt against God through the will to become "like gods,"123 knowing and determining good and evil. Sin is thus "love of oneself even to contempt of God."124 In this proud self- exaltation, sin is diametrically opposed to the obedience of Jesus, which achieves our salvation.125
1851 It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms: unbelief, murderous hatred, shunning and mockery by the leaders and the people, Pilate’s cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas’ betrayal - so bitter to Jesus, Peter’s denial and the disciples’ flight. However, at the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world,126 the sacrifice of Christ secretly becomes the source from which the forgiveness of our sins will pour forth inexhaustibly.
III. THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF SINS
1852 There are a great many kinds of sins. Scripture provides several lists of them. The Letter to the Galatians contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: "Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, 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."127
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.

IV. THE GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN
1854 Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. The distinction between mortal and venial sin, already evident in Scripture,129 became part of the tradition of the Church. It is corroborated by human experience.
1855 Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him.
Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it.
1856 Mortal sin, by attacking the vital principle within us - that is, charity - necessitates a new initiative of God’s mercy and a conversion of heart which is normally accomplished within the setting of the sacrament of reconciliation:

1 John 5:16-17
16If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. (1 John. 5:16,17)

 

[divinefaith]

Anyway, if someone could explain what a venial sin is, what ill effects they have, and why you should care about them, I’d appreciate it.

I’d look at Trishie’s posts. But I would add that we should care about them because we really are going to be punished if we dont make enough penance for them here. The consequence as you may know is purgutory (in the afterlife, before we get to heaven). While this isn’t as bad as hell it sure aint pleasant being there, even though its temporary.

 

[Bohm_Bawerk]

Anyway, if someone could explain what a venial sin is, what ill effects they have, and why you should care about them, I’d appreciate it.

I’m a former Catholic, and this was a topic that interested me greatly.

A venial sin is a sin that strains your relationship with God. This is in contrast to a mortal sin, which breaks your relationship with God. It is possible to enter Heaven (indirectly, through Purgatory) with a venial sin, but it is absolutely impossible for someone to enter Heaven with a mortal sin. This is mentioned in the Gospels: “If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that” (1 John 5:16). This is foreshadowed in Leviticus, where certain sins were punishable by death, for example, the sin of divination (consulting psychics, conjuring spirits, etc): "“A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads’” (Leviticus 20:27).

Now, don’t listen to people who make a big deal about venial sins. These are the people Jesus condemns - the people who follow the Law strictly for the sake of following the Law: “So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matthew 23:3). Even Jesus healed on the Sabbath: "Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). You will meet many Catholics, especially online, who will try and coax you into becoming scrupulous. Avoid these people [Pharisees] like the plague! They are up to no good. Consider yourself warned.

These are the facts: Venial sins are to be avoided. This is because Jesus commands his followers to be “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). We also know that in the afterlife, everyone will be refined like silver and tested like gold, so you should never be complacent with a venial sin: “I will refine them like silver and test them like gold” (Zechariah 13:9). However, given the fact that humans have the tendency to sin, it is almost a given that you will commit a venial sin. Even “a righteous man falls seven times” (Proverbs 24:16) but you are to have hope in God’s mercy and it is that which makes the righteous man “rise again” (cf. Proverbs 24:16).

Here’s another fact - Receiving Communion washes away your venial sins. Reading Scripture washes away your venial sins. Going to Adoration washes away your venial sins. It’s actually fairly easy to resolve the consequences of venial sins. You should not despair - “"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

This is the last fact - The only thing you need to do to get into Heaven is to die in a state of grace. I mention these things because this is authentic Church teaching. You will come across many Catholics who will speak a lot of balderdash about billions of people going to Hell, saying there is no hope, this that and the other. They will use the sayings of saints to further their agenda. Thing is, the Church does not recognize the teachings of the saints. They are private revelation. They are not part of the deposit of faith. Refer to the Bible and the Catechism. The “law” is there to free you, not to burden you or make your life miserable.

 

[JRRTFAN]

Longtime lurker and occasional poster here. This forum (and some related ones) has many questions about “is X a mortal sin or not?” but not as many questions about whether something is a venial sin. I often get the idea that Catholics think venial sins are “Sin Lite”, no big deal, since they’re not going to send you to Hell. Especially in the masturbation topics, people often seem to say “masturbation isn’t always a mortal sin” and I get the impression they are very close to saying it’s not really a sin it all, that people who have a legitimate reason (such as immaturity, force of habit, etc) for this downgrade in this sin can go on masturbating all they want and not feel guilty about it at all.

Now, in Protestant belief, there is no difference between venial and mortal sin…ALL sins are, essentially, mortal. Now, to OSAS adherents the nature of sin is almost irrelevant since they focus more on how it’s having faith in Jesus that saves you. But not all Protestants believe in OSAS, and I don’t really see them caring about the distinction, either.

Anyway, if someone could explain what a venial sin is, what ill effects they have, and why you should care about them, I’d appreciate it.

The act of sin is an act of interaction with God. There are things and situations in life which are right or wrong, some serious - faithful in marriage, some not so serious - telling a small lie to get out of an unpleasant situation. A total rejection of God is involved in infidelity. People do not necessarily totally rejecting God with the white lie but are, essentially, asking Him to turn a blind eye for a minute.

You’re not going to find a list of either venial or mortal sins. It’s a relationship issue.

 

[RICKY_RASPER]

I’m a former Catholic, and this was a topic that interested me greatly.

A venial sin is a sin that strains your relationship with God. This is in contrast to a mortal sin, which breaks your relationship with God. It is possible to enter Heaven (indirectly, through Purgatory) with a venial sin, but it is absolutely impossible for someone to enter Heaven with a mortal sin. This is mentioned in the Gospels: “If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that” (1 John 5:16). This is foreshadowed in Leviticus, where certain sins were punishable by death, for example, the sin of divination (consulting psychics, conjuring spirits, etc): "“A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads’” (Leviticus 20:27).

Now, don’t listen to people who make a big deal about venial sins. These are the people Jesus condemns - the people who follow the Law strictly for the sake of following the Law: “So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matthew 23:3). Even Jesus healed on the Sabbath: "Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). You will meet many Catholics, especially online, who will try and coax you into becoming scrupulous. Avoid these people [Pharisees] like the plague! They are up to no good. Consider yourself warned.

These are the facts: Venial sins are to be avoided. This is because Jesus commands his followers to be “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). We also know that in the afterlife, everyone will be refined like silver and tested like gold, so you should never be complacent with a venial sin: “I will refine them like silver and test them like gold” (Zechariah 13:9). However, given the fact that humans have the tendency to sin, it is almost a given that you will commit a venial sin. Even “a righteous man falls seven times” (Proverbs 24:16) but you are to have hope in God’s mercy and it is that which makes the righteous man “rise again” (cf. Proverbs 24:16).

Here’s another fact - Receiving Communion washes away your venial sins. Reading Scripture washes away your venial sins. Going to Adoration washes away your venial sins. It’s actually fairly easy to resolve the consequences of venial sins. You should not despair - “"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

This is the last fact - The only thing you need to do to get into Heaven is to die in a state of grace. I mention these things because this is authentic Church teaching. You will come across many Catholics who will speak a lot of balderdash about billions of people going to Hell, saying there is no hope, this that and the other. They will use the sayings of saints to further their agenda. Thing is, the Church does not recognize the teachings of the saints. They are private revelation. They are not part of the deposit of faith. Refer to the Bible and the Catechism. The “law” is there to free you, not to burden you or make your life miserable.

Hello Bohm,
your words are very enlightening. But they betray the truth that is in your heart.
You Sir are a believer!
Your Brother in Christ,
Richard.

 

[divinefaith]

Hello Bohm,
your words are very enlightening. But they betray the truth that is in your heart.
You Sir are a believer!
Your Brother in Christ,
Richard.

Yes he sounds like a believer