Sins and Vices FAQ
Sins
What is Sin ?
Sin is an offence against God by thought, word, deed or omission.
Sin is an offence against reason, truth and right conscience.
Sin is a failure in genuine love for God and neighbour.
Sin and wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity.
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How did Jesus describe sin ?
Jesus taught that the root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man." (Matthew 15:19-20)
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How did St Paul describe sin ?
St Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the Fruits of the Spirit: "Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like." (Galatians 5:19-21)
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How are sins distinguished ?
Sins can be distinguished according to their objects, as can every human act.
Sins can be distinguished according to the virtues they oppose, by excess or defect, or by commandments they violate.
Sins can be classed according to the person they concern, whether they concern God, neighbour or oneself.
Sins can be divided into spiritual and carnal sins.
Sins can be divided as sins in thought, word, deed or omission.
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The Gravity of Sin: Mortal and Venial Sin
- What is 'actual sin'?
- Do sins differ in their seriousness?
- What is the teaching of the Church, Scripture and human experience?
- What is required for a sin to be mortal?
- How is 'grave matter' specified?
- Is it possible to commit a mortal sin?
- What is the effect of mortal sin?
- How is mortal sin overcome?
- What is venial sin?
- What is the effect of venial sin?
- Can all sins be forgiven?
- When can a sin not be forgiven?
- What are the six sins against the Holy Spirit?
Do sins differ in their seriousness?
Sins do differ in their seriousness and are rightly evaluated according to their gravity.
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What is the teaching of the Church, Scripture and human experience?
The Church, supported by Scripture and human experience, makes the distinction between mortal and venial sin.
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What is required for a sin to be mortal?
For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be met together:
the object must be 'grave matter';
it must be committed with full knowledge ;
and with deliberate and complete consent.
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How is 'grave matter' specified?
Grave matter is specified by the gravity of the offence against the Commandments and by the person offended.
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Is it possible to commit a mortal sin?
Mortal sin is always a radical possibility because of our human freedom.
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What is the effect of mortal sin?
Mortal sin kills the life of God's grace in our soul. It turns us away from God, who is our ultimate happiness.
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How is mortal sin overcome?
Mortal sin is overcome by a new initiative of God's mercy and a conversion of our hearts; this is normally accomplished in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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What is venial sin?
Venial sin is a failure to love God or our neighbour as we should, by an act which is not grave or serious.
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What is the effect of venial sin?
Venial sin does not deprive us of sanctifying grace or our friendship with God, or the promise of eternal happiness with God. However, venial sin does wound our relationship with God and with our neighbour.
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When can a sin not be forgiven?
A sin cannot be forgiven when a person refuses to accept the mercy of God. Such hardness of heart leads one to reject the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." (Mark 3:29)
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What are the six sins against the Holy Spirit?
They are: Presumption, Despair, Resisting the known truth, Envy of another's spiritual good, Obstinacy in sin, Final impenitence.
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What can sin lead to?
Sin can lead to other sins, and to vices by the repetition of the same sins.
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What are vices?
Vices are bad habits and can be classified according to the virtues they oppose or by linking them to the capital sins.
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What are the Capital sins?
The seven capital sins are: Pride, Avarice, Envy, Wrath (Anger), Lust, Gluttony (Greed), Sloth.
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How can these capital sins be overcome?
They can be overcome through the practice of the seven contrary virtues: Humility, Generosity, Brotherly Love, Meekness, Chastity, Temperance, Diligence.
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What are the 'sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance' that are mentioned in the Bible?
These four grave sins are: Murder (Genesis 4:10), the sin of the Sodomites (Genesis 18:20, 19:13),the oppression of the poor (Exodus 3:7-10, 20:20-22), Injustice to the wage earner (Dt 24:14-15).
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Can we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others?
We can have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we co-operate in them by:
participating directly and voluntarily in them;
ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
causing scandal or setting a bad example;
not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
protecting evil-doers.
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