How to know if you are in mortal sin

[RileyG]

Self-explanatory

If I have to ask "Am I in mortal sin/not in the state of grace" that essentially means I have not committed a mortal sin because I do not have full knowledge or full consent?

Theologically, what does "full consent" mean?

Thanks

 

[Skye1300]

I agree. I think in order to have full consent, you have to know that what you are doing is wrong and choose to do it anyway. If you are not sure, then that means if you did something, it was something you did not know was wrong so you were not in full consent. Like an uniformed decision. Like someone telling you to push a button for treats but not telling you that someone dies when you push that button. So you push it just thinking you're getting treats.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Self-explanatory

If I have to ask "Am I in mortal sin/not in the state of grace" that essentially means I have not committed a mortal sin because I do not have full knowledge or full consent?

Theologically, what does "full consent" mean?

Thanks

I'm not speaking authoritatively but I think "full consent" means you've weighed the act and you've consciously decided to go through with it. Consent means "permission for something to happen" which in this context I suppose would me you've given yourself permission to indulge in whatever sinful action is in question.

I would think that we know we're in mortal sin because we had full knowledge of the sin in question. For example, viewing pornography: if someone willfully sought out a pornographic website to indulge the sinful appetite for such things, they committed a mortal sin and if they have even a basic understanding of the Church teaching on these things, they would know what they did constitutes a mortal sin and thus they are not in a state of sanctifying grace.

There aren't loopholes to this either, like "oh man I didn't know that qualified as pornography". Like the saying goes, if you have even an inkling that it's wrong, it probably is and should be confessed.

 

[pdudgeon]

Hmmm, just asking, but is there a list of mortal sins somewhere?

 

[Miss Shelby]

Hmmm, just asking, but is there a list of mortal sins somewhere?

I just go by the ten commandments. Did I miss mass? Did I take the name of the lord in vain. did I lie. was I jealous? did i steal something from the canteen at work? etc.

 

[Miss Shelby]

there is an encyclical somewhere detailing it but I can't find on the website.

 

[Lady Bug]

In our RCIA we got handed out an "Examination of Conscience" sheet, which gives you a pretty good idea of what sins to look for. I don't know if you can get your hands on one of those, but that may help.

 

[Susie~Q]

In our RCIA we got handed out an "Examination of Conscience" sheet, which gives you a pretty good idea of what sins to look for. I don't know if you can get your hands on one of those, but that may help.

The church I went to back home had some printed out so you could take one with you, I am also sure there is something like that on-line.

 

[RileyG]

I'm not speaking authoritatively but I think "full consent" means you've weighed the act and you've consciously decided to go through with it. Consent means "permission for something to happen" which in this context I suppose would me you've given yourself permission to indulge in whatever sinful action is in question.

I would think that we know we're in mortal sin because we had full knowledge of the sin in question. For example, viewing pornography: if someone willfully sought out a pornographic website to indulge the sinful appetite for such things, they committed a mortal sin and if they have even a basic understanding of the Church teaching on these things, they would know what they did constitutes a mortal sin and thus they are not in a state of sanctifying grace.

There aren't loopholes to this either, like "oh man I didn't know that qualified as pornography". Like the saying goes, if you have even an inkling that it's wrong, it probably is and should be confessed.

Thank you

 

[Christopher0121]

Aren't there three criteria for something to be a mortal sin? I heard they are...

It must be a gave matter.
It must be done with full knowledge of its gravity.
It must be deliberate and without any form of compulsion.

And so, one might commit an act that isn't a gave matter, and it isn't a mortal sin. Or, they might not have full knowledge of how grave a matter it is, and so it isn't mortal sin. Or it might be something habitual, learned, conditioned, or an addiction, and so it is compulsive and isn't mortal sin. Such sin leaves one in need of counseling, re-education, treatment, and healing.

I could be mistaken. But this was something I remember hearing discussed somewhere.

 

[RileyG]

Thanks everyone! I have a very delicate conscience and go to confession often and repeat route prayers compulsively over and over. I desperately need a good spiritual director. God bless

 

[WarriorAngel]

Thanks everyone! I have a very delicate conscience and go to confession often and repeat route prayers compulsively over and over. I desperately need a good spiritual director. God bless

Try not to be scrupulous, which also is a sin.
Relax.

Scrupulosity:
very concerned to avoid doing wrong.

Symptoms of Scrupulosity

Repetitive thoughts about being sinful, dishonest, or lacking integrity. Ruminating about past mistakes, errors, or possible sinful behavior. Excessive fear of the possibility of committing blasphemy. Excessive focus of religious and moral perfection.

Is scrupulous a sin?

In the 19th century, Christian spiritual advisors in the U.S. and Britain became worried that scrupulosity was not only a sin in itself, but also led to sin, by attacking the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Made for Glory - Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? • Saint Dominic Media

 

[WarriorAngel]

Self-explanatory

If I have to ask "Am I in mortal sin/not in the state of grace" that essentially means I have not committed a mortal sin because I do not have full knowledge or full consent?

Theologically, what does "full consent" mean?

Thanks

You're a convert?
What faith did you once follow?

 

[RileyG]

You're a convert?
What faith did you once follow?

No. I'm a cradle Catholic.

 

[RileyG]

Try not to be scrupulous, which also is a sin.
Relax.

Scrupulosity:
very concerned to avoid doing wrong.

Symptoms of Scrupulosity

Repetitive thoughts about being sinful, dishonest, or lacking integrity. Ruminating about past mistakes, errors, or possible sinful behavior. Excessive fear of the possibility of committing blasphemy. Excessive focus of religious and moral perfection.

Is scrupulous a sin?

In the 19th century, Christian spiritual advisors in the U.S. and Britain became worried that scrupulosity was not only a sin in itself, but also led to sin, by attacking the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Thank you. It is very helpful.

 

[pdudgeon]

In our RCIA we got handed out an "Examination of Conscience" sheet, which gives you a pretty good idea of what sins to look for. I don't know if you can get your hands on one of those, but that may help.

That's cool! We never got those, so thanks for the tip!

 

[WarriorAngel]

Examination of Conscience for Adults: A Comprehensive Examination of Conscience by REV. DONALD F. MILLER, C.SS.R.