Taking advantage of confession?

[Lea101]

Does anyone take it for granted. Sometimes when I am about to sin, I have this thought that goes like “I’ll go to confession this Sunday and I will confess this” and then I sin. And then after a while, I start to regret what I did and then feel guilty for wanting to go to confession because I planned to take advantage of confession earlier. Does it make sense? I was wondering about what I should do

 

[pianistclare]

I’m sure everyone has experienced this at some point. Children often say this, but it can happen to anyone.
Be at peace. That’st the prince of lies messing with you.
Confess it and pray for resolve against sin. When you feel tempted, pray the St. Michael prayer.

 

[Gertabelle]

Clare puts it very well.

I would just make sure to confess my thoughts of “I’ll just go to confession afterwards” as well. I think that’s the sin of presumption. Confessing it will bring tremendous grace to avoid it in the future.

God bless you!

 

[mommy_k]

This was posted not to long ago with a different example. It’s called the sin of Presumption if I am correct.

The way to avoid this is to remember that we don’t know when our time on earth will end…also sin on our soul somehow blocks God’s grace…for me I need all of this grace daily

An extreme form of this sin would be if someone went thier entire life sinning and thinking’-well, I will be getting Extreme Unction/Last Rights anyway…

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Does anyone take it for granted. Sometimes when I am about to sin, I have this thought that goes like “I’ll go to confession this Sunday and I will confess this” and then I sin. And then after a while, I start to regret what I did and then feel guilty for wanting to go to confession because I planned to take advantage of confession earlier. Does it make sense? I was wondering about what I should do

You could be committing the sin of presumption, i.e. I’ll sin because I’ll be forgiven in confession anyway.

Keep this in mind, you may not make it to confession and using confession to alter your behavior is an abuse of the sacrament.

First off, we go to Confession, because we realize we sinned and have offended God. Out of love for God, we desire to be reconciled to Him and His Church.

As a wise old priest once told me in confession, “until the reason to not sin becomes stronger than the desire, you’ll continue to commit the sin.”

The only way for the reason to become stronger, is through love. Love God with your entire being, and your neighbor. Examine yourself against these two and know they are the path you must follow. When you fall off the path, turn to God and ask for His forgiveness. Then go to Confession, as an act of love, not obligation.

Jim

 

[Lea101]

Thanks for the replies. Did not know there was a term for the sin.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Thanks for the replies. Did not know there was a term for the sin.

The actual definition of the term “sin,” means to “miss the mark.” It was often taught as being akin to an archer aiming at his target, but missing it.

Understood this way, makes it easier to forgive yourself.

Jim