Thinking of every action whether it's sin or not - healthy to spiritual life or no?

[ResoluteSheep]

What do you guys think? Or would this be counted as scrupulosity?

 

[Bookcat]

Depends on what one means.

If by every action - one means “every action” that would rather slow down life to say the least. Most things can be rather known to not be a sin - to be normal good things - without having to explicitly think about it.

While it is good when a person has first converted or first taken the reality of Christian life seriously to review what is sinful or not and seek to rather actively work on forming ones conscience - many things still will rather fall into the non-sinful area quite quickly as one comes to know what sin is and what sin is not.

Scrupulosity can yes lead one to fear sin everywhere - which means too to fear sin where sin is not. So yes one can say that such an approach as described in the question can lead to scrupulosity. For which a regular confessor is key and principles he can give one to act by due to ones scruples.

It may also be that a person who has recently converted etc - might go through a sort of temporary scruples…which can even have a good effect if not let go on too long and if the persons conscience is then rightly formed. They too should seek out a regular confessor.

 

[ResoluteSheep]

Depends on what one means.

If by every action - one means “every action” that would rather slow down life to say the least. Most things can be rather known to not be a sin - to be normal good things - without having to explicitly think about it.

While it is good when a person has first converted or first taken the reality of Christian life seriously to review what is sinful or not and seek to rather actively work on forming ones conscience - many things still will rather fall into the non-sinful area quite quickly as one comes to know what sin is and what sin is not.

Scrupulosity can yes lead one to fear sin everywhere - which means too to fear sin where sin is not. So yes one can say that such an approach as described in the question can lead to scrupulosity. For which a regular confessor is key and principles he can give one to act by due to ones scruples.

It may also be that a person who has recently converted etc - might go through a sort of temporary scruples…which can even have a good effect if not let go on too long and if the persons conscience is then rightly formed. They too should seek out a regular confessor.

Thanks Bookcat , I’ll check with my Confessor regarding scruples, I’m still not so sure if I have it or not, for me it’s either scrupulosity or a lack of knowledge

 

[Bookcat]

Thanks Bookcat , I’ll check with my Confessor regarding scruples, I’m still not so sure if I have it or not, for me it’s either scrupulosity or a lack of knowledge

Your welcome.

Ones regular confessor would be the one to discuss that with yes. And it may take a bit for him to judge - some cases are evident right away -others are less so. Also as I noted there can be “transient” cases where the person has just converted …and they more quickly pass.

I will re-post an older post of mine

A person struggles with scruples - what ought they do?

A person with scrupulosity --ought to have a “regular confessor” who can direct them --and even give them some general principles/rules to follow -to apply (principles for them due to their particular scruples -they are usually not for those with a normal conscience). Thus with their direction they can dismiss scruples. Such is the age old practice in the Church.

Scruples are to be dismissed not argued with.

Scruples are like a barking dog or a hissing goose -one does not stop to argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose does one? One keeps walking.

(image from a Carthusian writer from centuries ago).

Here is an article from Jimmy Akin of CA that I saw in the Register and saved for those who struggle with such.

ncregister.com/blog/jimmy…the-scrupulous

 

[7kidpapa]

Romans 12:2New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

This Scripture says you are definitely on the right track. To follow God/Jesus means to become like Him.

Hope this helps.