What else is a sin?

[seeker_of_God]

I’m still in the process of figuring out what is or is not sin. I know the 10 commandments are the big ones, and then the capital sins, but then I don’t know what else.

I hope I don’t come across as arrogant or anything in my post, but I’m honestly trying to figure out what all I do that is sinful. I am also sometimes prone to scrupulosity so it is a delicate balance.

I don’t think I’ve done anything to sin against any of the commandments for a while. Sometimes I’m surprised by what is included under those, though. I mean that I just read that abusive language is included under the 5th commandment. But as far as I know, I’m not having trouble with any of the commandments.

The capital sins is sort of something else. Sometimes proud thoughts come to mind, but when I notice them I push them away and focus on God. I’m told it can’t be sin if it’s not an act of the will. Is this correct?

Gluttony I am not so sure about. Sometimes I eat a little too much, and I’m not so great with eating healthily. I am overweight, but I’m also on medication (for thyroid) that has a lot of effect on that so I don’t know how much of it is what I eat. So I don’t know what falls into the territory of gluttony or not.

In the category of sloth, I am confused on that as well. Certainly right now it is summer, so I’ve been rather sedentary. Of course I’ll be going back to college later this month, and then will resume classes, studying, and the like. I don’t know if anything I do (or don’t, as the case may be) falls into sloth.

I don’t think I have a problem with any of the other capital sins.

One thing I encountered the other day that I wasn’t so sure about either. There was a situation with my mother that left me in rather a bad mood, but I still remained respectful. I didn’t really will myself to be in a bad mood, and it’s really hard for me to get out of one for a while afterwards, so is that a sin, as long as nothing is said that is disrespectful?

Is procrastination a sin, or doesn’t it matter as long as it gets done? That’s one problem I have a lot with homework, assignments, and papers.

I was thinking yesterday about software and license agreements. A lot of times when installing software or signing up for something online, one is asked to read over an agreement of some sort, and then check a checkbox to indicate your acceptance. I wondered if not actually reading the agreement and terms of service, but just checking the box, would be lying, since you are implying you read and have agreed to the terms? That’s unfortunate, since some of those are so long.

So anyway, my basic purpose is to try to figure out what else is venial sin. I’m trying to find the sins I’m unaware of so I can pray to God for the grace to overcome them and perhaps expose them in confession, since that sacrament has been of a great help to me with overcoming and resisting sin in general.

I know I’m far from perfect, so it bothers me I’m unable to think of much more at the moment, and that’s why I fear coming across as arrogant. I thank God for giving me the grace to overcome the sins and temptations I have, but I pray that my further faults would be revealed. I know that even the saints went to confession even up to their deaths, so that’s why I’m sure I’m missing something.

Perhaps I should work on what I have, and God will reveal further faults. I don’t know. But I’m not even sure how to work on the things I mentioned or what I need to do.

Or perhaps now I should work on the virtues. But I wouldn’t know where to start. Perhaps I should work on doing more good instead of just avoiding sin. Well I’ve been working on that a little, as a way to combat selfishness, so that has been helping a little.

What I’ve read here so far says that venial sins are those that are to a lesser degree than mortal sin, so that a white lie might be a venial sin, but a lie that would harm someone would be mortal. But I know there must be more to this, and so that’s why I ask here.

Again, this really bothers me writing this post, because I don’t want to come across the wrong way. I know I have much to improve, and I don’t want to sound like I don’t acknowledge that. But I have a great fear of offending God and I wanted to make sure first and foremost I’m doing everything I can to avoid that.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Most things do not fall neatly into two categories: sins on the one hand, and non-sins on the other.

As C. S. Lewis said, it’s like a piano–it doesn’t have 2 kinds of notes, right and wrong notes. Every note is right sometimes and wrong at other times.

Even St. Francis de Sales said that the right motive can make a bad act neutral, and a neutral act virtuous.

Sounds like you could use a spiritual director.

 

[Tietjen]

The capital sins is sort of something else. Sometimes proud thoughts come to mind, but when I notice them I push them away and focus on God. I’m told it can’t be sin if it’s not an act of the will. Is this correct?

It is not a mortal sin.

One thing I encountered the other day that I wasn’t so sure about either. There was a situation with my mother that left me in rather a bad mood, but I still remained respectful. I didn’t really will myself to be in a bad mood, and it’s really hard for me to get out of one for a while afterwards, so is that a sin, as long as nothing is said that is disrespectful?

To be in a bad mood but not act out against another person is not a mortal sin. It is possible to be angry and at the same time not be guilty of sin (venial or mortal).

Is procrastination a sin, or doesn’t it matter as long as it gets done? That’s one problem I have a lot with homework, assignments, and papers.

If it is I would imagine it falls under being sloth. However, I don’t believe that putting off homework would rise to the level of “grave matter.”

I wondered if not actually reading the agreement and terms of service, but just checking the box, would be lying, since you are implying you read and have agreed to the terms? That’s unfortunate, since some of those are so long.

No it would not be a sin to not read those user agreements. However, legally you are still responsible for what they contain and it might be unwise to agree to something without knowing what you were agreeing to.

What I’ve read here so far says that venial sins are those that are to a lesser degree than mortal sin, so that a white lie might be a venial sin, but a lie that would harm someone would be mortal. But I know there must be more to this, and so that’s why I ask here.

For a sin to be mortal it must contain 3 elements:

1. It must be grave in nature.
2. You must know and understand that the sin is grave
3. You must freely choose to commit the sin.

When those three elements exist, a mortal sin has been committed. The only people who can truly know whether a person has committed a mortal sin are the person involved and God, because only those two know for sure if elements 2 and 3 have been met. Here is a resource that may help you understand better the subject of Sin as it’s explained within the Church.

newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm

 

[seeker_of_God]

Most things do not fall neatly into two categories: sins on the one hand, and non-sins on the other.

As C. S. Lewis said, it’s like a piano–it doesn’t have 2 kinds of notes, right and wrong notes. Every note is right sometimes and wrong at other times.

Even St. Francis de Sales said that the right motive can make a bad act neutral, and a neutral act virtuous.

Sounds like you could use a spiritual director.

Thanks, that helps a bit. I will be looking for a spiritual director once I go to college at Franciscan University of Steubenville, later this month (so excited ). Everyone’s been telling me the same thing, that I need a spiritual director, in most of my threads, so I am looking forward to finding one. I need one anyway because I’m in formation for the Confraternity of Penitents, and they require one to have a spiritual director quite early on.

See, I think I’m starting to understand the whole idea of mortal sin, but now I’m lost. I don’t know what is a venial sin, besides the same things except to a lesser degree than grave sins. My first focus was making sure I wasn’t committing any mortal sin, and I thank God that he has helped me so much in resisting that type of sin.

But I know that even venial sin offends God, which is why I wanted to know what all is venial sin. I once read, I think on this site, it could even be things such as immoderate laughter, which really confused me, especially since I can be quite a jovial person.

But I feel like everyone around here who talks about sin is only talking about mortal sin, and not too much about venial, so I’m not sure where to look, which is why I posted this thread.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[seeker_of_God]

It is not a mortal sin.

But my concern is whether it is sin at all, not necessarily grave.

To be in a bad mood but not act out against another person is not a mortal sin. It is possible to be angry and at the same time not be guilty of sin (venial or mortal).

Thank you. Same as above.

If it is I would imagine it falls under being sloth. However, I don’t believe that putting off homework would rise to the level of “grave matter.”

Same as above. My question is about sin, of any kind.

No it would not be a sin to not read those user agreements. However, legally you are still responsible for what they contain and it might be unwise to agree to something without knowing what you were agreeing to.

Agreed it’s unwise. But I’m not seeing how it’s not a lie to say you have read and accept them, when you have not read them.

For a sin to be mortal it must contain 3 elements:

1. It must be grave in nature.
2. You must know and understand that the sin is grave
3. You must freely choose to commit the sin.

When those three elements exist, a mortal sin has been committed. The only people who can truly know whether a person has committed a mortal sin are the person involved and God, because only those two know for sure if elements 2 and 3 have been met. Here is a resource that may help you understand better the subject of Sin as it’s explained within the Church.

newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm

Thanks, and I understand this. But as before, my question is about venial sin, too.

Thanks.

 

[Angel7]

I respect your fear of offending The Lord. It is a strong sense. But I think you misunderstand venial sin. You are trying to avoid ALL sin, which is pretty cool. But remember Venial sin is not strong enough to cut The Relationship that people have with GOD. We commit Venial sins alot, some probably more noticable than others. You might fail to give someone some help, or miss an opportunity of Charity. Or a offense, where you lacked suffecient Knowledge. Yes, all sin is bad, our sins were paid for by Jesus Christ, The Lord, on The Cross. So avoiding all types of sin is of quite importance. But Venial sins can be washed away by certains acts. Recieving The Lord in The Blessed Sacrament, The Eucharist, will take away Venial sin. Good deeds can pay for Venial sins, Indulgences (too I think). Only The Sacrament of Reconciliation, The Sacrament Of The Anointing Of The Sick, and Perfect Contrition can take away mortal sin (Asking for mercy in near death situations would fall under Perfect Contrition right? I am not sure if it would fall under Imperfect or Perfect Contrition).

Venial sin, although still a sin, is not Life-threatening, Is what i am saying

 

[Timbothefiveth]

I think perfect contritition is only if you are truly sorry for offending the Lord and not motivated by fear, and I’m not sure if that works if you could go to confession when you try to be perfetly contrite but don’t… I would go to confession to be safe.

 

[EmeraldWings]

See, I think I’m starting to understand the whole idea of mortal sin, but now I’m lost. I don’t know what is a venial sin, besides the same things except to a lesser degree than grave sins. My first focus was making sure I wasn’t committing any mortal sin, and I thank God that he has helped me so much in resisting that type of sin.

But I know that even venial sin offends God, which is why I wanted to know what all is venial sin. I once read, I think on this site, it could even be things such as immoderate laughter, which really confused me, especially since I can be quite a jovial person.

But I feel like everyone around here who talks about sin is only talking about mortal sin, and not too much about venial, so I’m not sure where to look, which is why I posted this thread.

Thanks again for your help.

I would strongly recommend getting this book -
fraternitypublications.com/catrexofcofo.html
it’s only $4.50, and it’s really the best examination of conscience i’ve seen,
it gives an explanation of certain sins and virtues, then lists their mortal and venial sins, and then gives remedies for them,
it’s really exactly what you are asking for, i’m sure it will help you.

Aside from that, as a word of advice, don’t worry yourself to much about what you don’t know,
pray for guidance and you will learn gradually, which is the best way, because if you learn all your sins to fast, you may become overwhelmed to overcome them,
God will bring the things you need into your life when you are ready for them, God knows what is best for you and you really need to trust in that,
Jesus Himself told us “Don’t worry”, and that was not just a word of comfort, it was an order, He wants us to trust in Him, but how can we say “Jesus I trust in You”, and then worry about everything in and around our life that we are unsure of.
although i don’t know you, maybe you’re not worried over anything like i’m saying, so don’t take it personal if i’m wrong

Well, look at it this way, even when you get a spiritual director, you will not go over everything all at once, you will take it one step at a time, because even your spiritual director knows not to give you to much to think about,
God knows you do not want to offend Him, He knows that as soon as you learn of one of your sins you will immediately work to overcome it, but He is also very patient with us, even though our sins offend Him, He loves us more then we can imagine and in ways we do not understand, and likewise, when He is offended, it is not the same way you or i may become offended, when we get upset or angry over something, it is usually our pride that causes that, even if we are not saying it or thinking it consciously, it’s still our pride going “wait a minute, how dare you do this to me, what did i do to deserve this?”
but God doesn’t get offended that way, although i can’t tell you exactly how He gets offended, since i only have my own limited human understanding of the word, but i imagine His “offense” is something along the lines of a violation of His love, or a disagreeable affect we cause on Him and those around us,
but because God loves us so much, i imagine that He is more concerned with how we are hurting ourselves, rather then how we are hurting Him,
of course for us it should be the other way around, our first concern should always be God, and to help ourselves for love of God,

well, i guess what i am trying to say is, God wants you to be at peace, He wants you to have joy in all things, even your sufferings, so if this matter is upsetting or worrying you at all, then you are not handling it the right way, you need to just trust that God will guide you at the right times and He will help you discover your sins and strengthen your virtues as you become ready, of course God uses different means to accomplish this, sometimes through other people(especially your priest and spiritual director) sometimes through spiritual reading, and then most importantly through prayer, meditation, and the sacraments.

as for what all venial sin is? well, first of all, venial sin is an offense against God that does not take away sanctifying grace, instead of it killing the soul as mortal sin does, it is more a sickness to the soul, and in which case can be cured by means other than confession(although confession helps greatly with overcoming venial sins also)
communion for example takes away venial sins, and blessing yourself with holy water also takes them away, by saying “By this holy water and by Your Precious Blood, wash away all my sins, O Lord.”
the saints seemed to take venial sins just as seriously as mortal ones, one saint i read(i forget which one) said even before venial sins, death first O Lord.
When people commit a venial sin, they do not decisively set themselves on turning away from God, but from overfondness for some created good fall short of God.
so venial sin can really be anything that does not work to know, love, or serve God,
but that is a big step to take, and one that you cannot expect to reach very quickly, which is why i say, do not worry, and do not take on to much at once, because before you can live that way, you need to learn how, and you can only learn by practice.
and even then, you cannot expect to reach that kind of perfection in your life time, all God asks is that you reach for it, so as long as you are just trying and not giving up, then you know you are pleasing God.

ok well that’s all, i think you should definitely get that book i showed you, i have no doubt it will help you immensely.
alright, hope this helps, tc.

 

[Angel7]

It is hard to explain what venial sin is. it is a “little” sin, but still worrysome.
Remember to avoid venial sin and MORTAL sin especially, like the plague.
Avoid all sin likes it’s some type of virus, I hope I was not saying that venial sin was OK in my last post.
Good luck.
May GOD bless you!

 

[Bookcat]

Here is a nice overview…

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

you can buy it in bookform too

 

[Bookcat]

From the Compendium of the Catechism

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.