Question about Sin

mrschavez2124 said:

So if someone had resolved to sin, that is to make a choice to turn from God by willfully deciding to do something against his will, and then before actually sinning, realizes that they do not want to do that sin and repents from it... is that still considered a sin? If so, is that a mortal sin, if the sin that was in question itself was mortal?
I struggle with a mortal sin that is an addiction but even then, I was right with God after confession a few days ago and yet I found myself today resolving to do it "one more time" and now I just know that is a horrible abuse of Christ's sacrifice and I do *not* want to do it.. but that part of me still does and I'm actively fighting against the urge. I feel as though I will give into temptation especially after feeling as though I've already failed God by even resolving to in the first place. But then I read the parable of the two sons and I feel as though because I resolved to do one thing but will, ideally and will all of my prayer and strength, not actually do it, I am not in sin as long as I do not actually do it.
I don't have the ability to get a quick response from my confessor for advice so I am coming here for help. I'm just looking for clarity and advice. Thank you.

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Passing thoughts are temptations and not actual sins. Indulging in a temptation to something which would be a sin is also likely a sin. The difference is what we do with a temptation.

A mortal sin is something that requires three things; grave matter, a willful decision, and complete freedom. Lacking any of those things it would not be a mortal sin. It sounded like you willed to do it, but it is unclear from your post whether you had complete freedom, or if it was grave matter.

I don't want or need to know what you contemplated. And you should be careful of what you reveal in these fora as nothing is truly private. That said, since you didn't mention any restraints on your freedom, such as habit, you were probably not coerced into this. And if it were not grave matter you wouldn't be posting about it. So the guess from here is had you gone through with whatever, it could have been a mortal sin. Not doing it, pulling back at the last moment, that does have some merit and shows that grace was active working in your life. But I would confess it as soon as you can. Even if it were not a mortal sin, which I can't tell you because I can't know.

If you continue to have this desire, if it's a sort of habit of mind to go there, stop it in it's tracks and then figure out how you got to those thoughts. Then begin to avoid the things that led you to there.

Your answer lies in Ezekiel 18. It is a wonderful passage about how grace works, though it does not mention the sacrifice of Christ, which is the strength of that work.

As you can clearly see, I am not Catholic so what I say may not be accepted Catholic doctrine. I do not intend to dishonour your faith.

mrschavez2124 said:

So if someone had resolved to sin, that is to make a choice to turn from God by willfully deciding to do something against his will, and then before actually sinning, realizes that they do not want to do that sin and repents from it... is that still considered a sin? If so, is that a mortal sin, if the sin that was in question itself was mortal?
I struggle with a mortal sin that is an addiction but even then, I was right with God after confession a few days ago and yet I found myself today resolving to do it "one more time" and now I just know that is a horrible abuse of Christ's sacrifice and I do *not* want to do it.. but that part of me still does and I'm actively fighting against the urge. I feel as though I will give into temptation especially after feeling as though I've already failed God by even resolving to in the first place. But then I read the parable of the two sons and I feel as though because I resolved to do one thing but will, ideally and will all of my prayer and strength, not actually do it, I am not in sin as long as I do not actually do it.
I don't have the ability to get a quick response from my confessor for advice so I am coming here for help. I'm just looking for clarity and advice. Thank you.

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Romans 7:17
“Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”



9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

mrschavez2124 said:

So if someone had resolved to sin, that is to make a choice to turn from God by willfully deciding to do something against his will, and then before actually sinning, realizes that they do not want to do that sin and repents from it... is that still considered a sin? If so, is that a mortal sin, if the sin that was in question itself was mortal?
I struggle with a mortal sin that is an addiction but even then, I was right with God after confession a few days ago and yet I found myself today resolving to do it "one more time" and now I just know that is a horrible abuse of Christ's sacrifice and I do *not* want to do it.. but that part of me still does and I'm actively fighting against the urge. I feel as though I will give into temptation especially after feeling as though I've already failed God by even resolving to in the first place. But then I read the parable of the two sons and I feel as though because I resolved to do one thing but will, ideally and will all of my prayer and strength, not actually do it, I am not in sin as long as I do not actually do it.
I don't have the ability to get a quick response from my confessor for advice so I am coming here for help. I'm just looking for clarity and advice. Thank you.

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being tempted is not itself sin, Jesus was tempted and did not sin, you were tempted and did not sin.

disciple Clint said:

being tempted is not itself sin, Jesus was tempted and did not sin, you were tempted and did not sin.

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very well said

I would say that being resolved to sin “one more time” is a very dangerous mindset to get into, but is not a mortal sin itself

Rhamiel said:

very well said

I would say that being resolved to sin “one more time” is a very dangerous mindset to get into, but is not a mortal sin itself

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I sort of agree.

There is temptation and then there is wallowing in temptation, entertaining it, planning to act on it. A temptation is no sin, even if some of our evangelical brethren seem to think that it is. But making plans to act on a temptation, that is I think a sin. I've been tempted, and then I've engaged in temptations too, and there is a difference even if no actual fulfillment of the temptation has occurred. When one gets to the point of deciding to do it, whatever the 'it' is, if the 'it' is a mortal sin something sinful happened in the decision. Whether it is a mortal sin to plan it and then back away at the last moment would be debatable. I would not want to proclaim a 'yes' or a 'no' on that. She did turn away, which is great. It shows God is working in her life. But she did intend to do it, which is as you say 'dangerous'. Her soul could have been in real peril. The proper thing is to confess it with a firm purpose of amendment and figure out how to avoid the near occasion of this sin and other sins in the future.

@chevyontheriver already said what I wanted to say so I'll ask this: is it possible to remove the temptation from your life? Whatever this urge might be towards, is the object of your urge something that you can distance yourself from?

If it's a thing, place or a person that is essentially a near occasion of sin then perhaps it would be prudent to make sure that thing, place or person isn't part of your life if possible. If you're able to do that, then the next thing I would do is perhaps speak with a priest, maybe see about connecting with a spiritual director who can help give you some guidance if you don't already have one, and if necessary seek out a Catholic counselor who can help give you the tools to resist this addiction.