Author Topic: effects of mortal sins (Read 2252 times)

spouse of Jesus · « **on:** July 22, 2010, 01:13:12 PM »

Is it true that our prayers in the state of mortal sin are not heard? and that either all mortal sins or none are forgiven? And that the intention to never sin again must be present?
Well, I pray Rosary daily and fear lest God rejects it, as I cannot make a sincere resolution never to sin again before every Rosary. I wonder if my acts of contrition are valid without such intention.
Sometimes I fell into a big sin against faith and want to be forgiven, but because I also have some other sinful habbits (eg. daydreams, backbitting etc.) which I can't stop suddenly, I fear lest it places an obstacle to forgiveness of graver ones.
note: currently acts of contrition are the only alternative I have for Confession.

Trinity · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:27:15 PM »

Poor thing. Thank God for the confessional!

Raoul76 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:33:11 PM »

She doesn't have the confessional. She's not even baptized.

Spouse, I don't understand whether you're committing mortal or venial sins. What is "daydreaming"? Do you mean contemplating lustful acts? Contemplating lustful acts is only a sin if you catch yourself doing it and say "I don't care, I'm going to think about it anyway" and then wallow in it. But the thoughts themselves are not sinful, because the mind drifts.

The good news is, once you are baptized, all this will be washed away. Hopefully by then you will have broken free of any habit of mortal sin.

It's strange for an adult convert to have a mortally sinful habit as they approach baptism... Would a priest even baptize someone in that condition?

wallflower · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:48:24 PM »

Sounds like you may have a couple scrupulous tendencies which are hell on earth if you don't have the guidance of the confessional.

We do have to be resolved not to sin again in order to be forgiven but this does not mean God will hold the future possibility of sin against us. In other words, if at the time you have a sincere desire not to sin again, it is forgiven. God does not withhold His forgiveness or His grace just because He knows we will sin again in the future or we suspect we will because of our weakness. If that were the case no one would ever be forgiven, not even in the confessional.

I've heard that "reasoning" used by someone who abused drugs as a reason to avoid confession, even though he wanted to go. "I know I'm going to do it again." But he realized that was counter-productive. He needed those graces now more than ever and God only asks for the best effort we can give. Sometimes it's not a lot, but it takes humility to admit that and confess anyway. As we continue to confess, the graces to fight that sin continue to be bestowed upon us until we can finally break free. You should never let "future sins" stop you from confessing or hoping to be forgiven. That is the work of the devil.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:50:55 PM »

You are right to be concerned as we all should be.

God does punish even venial sins very severely. Look to Moses and because of his hesitating faith, was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Deliberate venial sin is the greatest evil in the world next to mortal sin.
Catholics, myself included don't realize this as much as we should think on it daily.

During confession all that is required that you promise sincerely to TRY, not to sin again.

When you meditate daily on the horror of sin, it makes it easier to TRY never to sin again. We can't promise we will never sin, because we just can't make that promise.

If you are sincere in making this promise to TRY never to sin again, then all your sins will be forgiven in confession. That is my understanding of the sacrament.

Don't give into the :devil2: saying, "you can't do that". . . .promise never to sin again.

Many of our sins may not be sins but reactions to something, or what someone says, that is why, even posting here, we should take a deep breath, and think before we post.

Even so, if only a reaction, we have an obligation to stop this bad habit and develop good posting skills.

Guilty your honor! :judge: (speaking of myself)

Trinity · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:51:27 PM »

That has been my experience, too, Wallflower. Sometimes one has to practically live in the confessional to get over a particular sin. But with persistence comes grace and then you are free forever.

wallflower · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:51:30 PM »

Quote from: Raoul76

It's strange for an adult convert to have a mortally sinful habit as they approach baptism... Would a priest even baptize someone in that condition?

???? What does this even mean? Only perfect people are allowed to be baptized???

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2010, 02:07:25 PM »

Quote

In other words, if at the time you have a sincere desire not to sin again, it is forgiven. God does not withhold His forgiveness or His grace just because He knows we will sin again in the future or we suspect we will because of our weakness. If that were the case no one would ever be forgiven, not even in the confessional.

What if I know that I will sin again?

Trinity · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2010, 02:15:02 PM »

You can't know the future, Spouse. Have you heard of the saint who was tempted to lust and threw himself into a briar patch? No more temptation to lust, ever again. Besides, that is why we pray for our daily bread.

wallflower · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2010, 02:33:44 PM »

Quote from: spouse of Jesus

Quote
In other words, if at the time you have a sincere desire not to sin again, it is forgiven. God does not withhold His forgiveness or His grace just because He knows we will sin again in the future or we suspect we will because of our weakness. If that were the case no one would ever be forgiven, not even in the confessional.

What if I know that I will sin again?

The only way you can know that you will sin again, with so much certainty that God decides not forgive you, is if you are planning on it. If you're planning on it then you are not resolved to try not to sin again. In that case no you will not be forgiven until you have sufficient sorrow and resolution (which you can pray for). In that case the fear you feel is the very real fear of God and the consequences of deliberately refusing His graces.

If you speak of knowing, as in it's a weakness that you have not overcome and your intelligence tells you that you likely will and you foresee all the situations when it will/might happen, so you have a general knowledge of yourself, it is not an impediment to forgiveness.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2010, 03:02:56 PM »

Quote from: spouse of Jesus

Quote
In other words, if at the time you have a sincere desire not to sin again, it is forgiven. God does not withhold His forgiveness or His grace just because He knows we will sin again in the future or we suspect we will because of our weakness. If that were the case no one would ever be forgiven, not even in the confessional.

What if I know that I will sin again?

A Redemptorist told us that does not invalidate the confession, so long as you have contrition and the intention not to sin again, knowledge of weakness and propensity to relapse is not an obstacle to penance.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2010, 02:03:02 AM »

Quote from: antiBears

@ Spouse:

many of your posts are lengthy and over analyze multiple situations. You ask for help repeatly on many different threads and topics....

On this topic to combat sin and temptation, only your persistance in your Faith, prayer, and resisting those temptations will set you free. It's not magic, it's self control. Tough, but attainable with practice.

Perhaps if you can start a simple regimine of Faith Filled and quiet meditation to ease your mind you will calm down those thoughts that disturb you so much?

Start with seated quietness for a few minutes everyday, just repeating one or two prayers. Once you can do this with out destructive thoughts intruding, practice more mindful exercises like meditating on what the mysteries of the rosaries mean to you as you grow closer to God, as you meditate on each mystery
OR memorizing a psalm may also be helpful.

God bless you, and Peace!

great advice. Yes I have a disposition to over analyzing the details of everything. It is both useful and harmful!