Trouble understanding sin

[PelagiathePenit]

One hand, it is utterly unacceptable, no excuse. Another hand, it is inevitable. What is the best attitude to have towards sin? I should not feel true remorse for sin, yet sooner or later I will probably sin. We are always responsible for our sins. How much power do we have over our feelings, choices, etc? Sin is always a choice no matter what. Are feelings sins? How much power do we have over what bothers us?
One end God & Jesus love us no matter what, yet neither would ever approve or condone our sins.
I have a hard time distinguishing between our inherent personality and our sinful inclinations.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Unrepentant as usual, I see, Pelagia…you have asked four questions in one thread but perhaps you are mellowing actually.

We must always remember, Jesus said “Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”

We must strive strive not to sin, but at the same time we must remember that we are weak, which is rightly ordered humility, and that is why we must pray, pray, pray.

 

[christofirst]

Having a good, regular confessor can help with the questions that are troubling you.

You can analyze and overanalyze your behavior on your own (or on an anonymous forum), but very often it takes another person, especially one trained as a shepherd of souls like a priest in the confessional, to help you see clearly what is and what is not sinful.

That said, feelings are not sinful. They typically rise up involuntarily. However, if you go out of your way to foster certain feelings (the near occasion of sin), or engage and entertain those feelings, this is where sin begins.

My personal policy: when in doubt about sin, take it to confession, and trust that God is healing you and working through your confessor.

 

[fred_conty]

To really understand sin, personalize it. If you love Jesus, that is the most important point to know about sin. It offends Jesus, not just from his own point of view, but he loves you and sees the harm you do to yourself as well.

It is a mistake to think of sin as just another item in our vocabulary…dead. It is not dead at all because it affects our relationship with Jesus. He lives within us by grace…that is huge. We should provide him with a home within ourselves where he will be welcome and comfortable. For he wants to be with us every moment of our lives for his love wants this…union.

When we sin, this is nothing but turning him out. When we realize who is there in our heart because he wants to be there close to us out of love, then sin becomes out of the question.

And the way to make him every more present within is to receive his loving body and blood in the holy Eucharist where Jesus said “Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in them.” He feeds that divine presence of grace within us and we continually grow more in his divine life.

As this happens, sin becomes non negotiable, for we have him, the prince of peace.

May divine mercy, peace, and presence be yours in ever greater measure.