
Confession is a way for those who are seeking forgiveness or approaching baptism to heal. Some sins that can be confessed include blasphemy, missing Mass, premarital sex, drunkenness, and artificial birth control. Other sins include rioting, treason, divorce, and covenant-breaking.
What You'll Learn
Sexual sins: masturbation, premarital sex, adultery, etc
Sexual sins are a broad category of sins that are often confessed. These include masturbation, premarital sex, and adultery.
Masturbation is considered a mortal sin by the Catholic Church, although there can be mitigating factors regarding an individual's culpability. It is often confessed and confessed frequently. It is considered a sin of impurity, and confessors are encouraged to be specific about their impure thoughts and actions. This is because the more specific the confession, the more tailored the penance and absolution. However, it is not necessary to go into graphic detail, and a confessor should not ask for more detail than is required.
Premarital sex is also considered a sin, and this includes oral sex, intercourse, and impure touching. It is also considered a sin to miss Mass on any Sunday or Holy Day, which may be relevant if a Catholic has missed Mass due to sexual activity.
Adultery is another sexual sin that is often confessed. This includes any sexual activity with someone who is not your spouse. This can include thoughts, images, and fantasies, as well as physical acts.
It is important to remember that while these are considered sins, it is also important to approach them with compassion and understanding. Sexuality and intimacy are essential parts of most people's lives, and it can be challenging to balance religious teachings with personal desires and relationships. Confession should be a safe space for individuals to discuss their sexual sins without embarrassment or judgment.
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Sins against God: blasphemy, desecration, etc
Sins against God, including blasphemy and desecration, are considered some of the most severe transgressions in many religions. Blasphemy is defined as showing disrespect towards God or His Holy Name, while desecration involves treating sacred objects or places with contempt or disrespect. These acts are seen as a direct offense to God and are often considered unforgivable in some faiths.
Blasphemy can take many forms, such as cursing God, willfully degrading things related to God, or attributing evil to God. For instance, in the Bible, Jesus states that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. This refers to a persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's convicting work, where individuals harden their hearts and refuse to repent or believe in Christ. It is a fundamental state of the heart that manifests in one's words and actions.
Desecration, on the other hand, involves violating the sanctity of sacred objects, places, or symbols. This can include acts of vandalism, destruction, or misuse of religious artifacts, places of worship, or holy texts. Such acts are considered deeply offensive to the faithful and are often seen as a form of sacrilege.
Other sins against God include:
- Speaking against the Holy Spirit
- Hating God
- Disobedience to God
- Idolatry: Loving someone or something more than God
- Witchcraft and sorcery
- Astrology
- False teaching and heresy
- Unbelief and faithlessness
- Denying Christ
These sins are considered serious offenses against God and often require sincere repentance and a commitment to change in order to seek forgiveness.
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Sins against others: slander, detraction, dishonouring family, etc
Sins against others are a broad category of sins that can cause significant harm to our relationships and well-being. When confessing, it is important to be aware of the impact of our actions on others and to seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. Here are some examples of sins against others:
Slander and Detraction: Speaking ill of others, whether it be through spreading lies (calumny) or revealing unkind truths, is considered a sin. Gossip and backbiting also fall into this category, as they involve speaking negatively about others behind their backs.
Dishonouring Family: Bringing dishonour to one's family, school, community, or the Church is a serious offence. This can include any action or behaviour that reflects poorly on these institutions or goes against their values.
Disobedience to Parents/Teachers: Disobeying or disrespecting one's parents and teachers is considered a sin. This can include talking back, refusing to follow instructions, or engaging in behaviour that goes against their teachings.
Using Others for Personal Gain: Taking advantage of others for personal gain, such as using them to achieve our goals or satisfy our desires, is a sin. This can include manipulating, deceiving, or exploiting others for our benefit.
Reckless Behaviour: Endangering oneself or others through reckless actions, such as driving recklessly or engaging in risky behaviour, is a sin. This demonstrates a lack of regard for the well-being and safety of oneself and others.
Violence and Abuse: Inflicting physical, emotional, or verbal harm on others is a serious sin. This includes actions such as murder, abuse, assault, or any form of cruelty towards others.
Harbouring Ill-Will: Holding on to negative feelings towards others, such as contempt, bitterness, wrath, or revenge, is considered a sin. Instead, we should strive to forgive and let go of these negative emotions.
Quarrelling and Strife: Engaging in frequent quarrels, arguments, or strife with others is considered a sin. This can include starting conflicts, refusing to compromise, or creating a hostile environment for those around us.
Pride and Arrogance: Having an excessive sense of self-importance, boasting about one's accomplishments, or looking down on others is a sin. This can include bragging, being overly proud, or believing that one is better than others.
Lying and Deceit: Dishonesty, lying, and deceit are considered sins. This can include telling lies, misleading others, or hiding the truth to serve our interests or protect ourselves.
Breaking Promises: Deliberately breaking promises or commitments made to others is a sin. This demonstrates a lack of integrity and respect for the trust placed in us by others.
These are just a few examples of sins against others. It is important to reflect on our actions and their impact on those around us, seeking forgiveness and working to repair any harm caused.
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Sins of excess: drunkenness, gluttony, greed, etc
Drunkenness, gluttony, and greed are all considered sins of excess.
Drunkenness
Drunkenness is caused by the excessive consumption of intoxicating beverages. It is considered a type of gluttony and is one of the seven deadly sins. The Bible admonishes against drunkenness in Proverbs 23:20-21: "Do not join with wine bibbers, nor with those who glut themselves on meat. For drunkards and gluttons come to poverty, and lazing about clothes one in rags."
Gluttony
Gluttony is defined as the ongoing and excessive consumption of food and drink. It is one of the seven deadly sins, believed to spur other sins and further immoral behaviour. In addition to Proverbs 23:20-21, the Book of Ezekiel also references gluttony in its judgment upon the wicked city of Sodom: "They were proud, sated with food, complacent in prosperity. They did not give any help to the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49).
St. Thomas Aquinas specifies five ways in which gluttony can present itself:
- Hasty eating or drinking: consuming food or drink too rapidly or at an inappropriate time.
- Sumptuous consumption: choosing rich or expensive food or drink over healthier or more moderate options.
- Excess: consuming too much food or drink.
- Greed: consuming food or drink too eagerly and refusing to share.
- Dainty eating: consuming food that is dainty in quality or excessively prepared.
Greed
Greed is the selfish and excessive desire for more than is needed, particularly in reference to material goods. It is also considered one of the seven deadly sins. The Bible warns against greed in Hebrews 13:5: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Greed is a false pathway to enjoyment, built on the lie that only this earthly life exists. Jesus calls those who store up earthly wealth but lack a relationship with God foolish. Greed leads to a feeling of lack and scarcity, robbing individuals of contentment and gratitude.
The antidote to greed is not poverty, but generosity—looking outward to give to others in need. This allows individuals to actually enjoy their possessions, recognising them as gifts from God.
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Sins of omission: not praying, neglecting duties, etc
Sins of omission refer to the things we should be doing but are neglecting. These are some examples of sins of omission:
Not praying
Failing to pray every day is considered a sin of omission. Prayer is a way to communicate with God, and by not praying, we are neglecting our relationship with Him. It is important to set aside time each day for prayer and to cultivate a habit of prayerfulness.
Neglecting duties
Neglecting our duties to God, ourselves, and others is a sin of omission. This includes failing to read and study the Bible, not attending church services and neglecting our spiritual growth, as well as neglecting our personal health and well-being. It also includes failing to fulfil our responsibilities to others, such as neglecting our family duties, being lazy in our work or studies, or failing to care for those in need.
Not seeking God's will
As Christians, we should seek to align our lives with God's will. By not seeking His will for our lives, we are missing out on His plan and purpose for us. This may include not surrendering to God's word as taught by the Church, not seeking to love Him with our whole heart, or pursuing our own desires instead of His.
Not using our gifts and talents
God has given each of us unique gifts and talents to be used for His glory and the benefit of others. By burying our skills, talents, and resources, we are sinning through omission. This may include not using our time, money, or possessions to help those in need, not sharing the Gospel with others, or not using our spiritual gifts to build up the Church.
Not practising self-discipline
Self-discipline is important in our spiritual lives, and a lack of it can lead to sin. This includes sins such as gluttony, drunkenness, and lustful thoughts or actions. By not controlling our thoughts, words, and actions, we can fall into sin and cause harm to ourselves and others.
Not being a good witness
As Christians, we are called to be a light to the world and to let our lives reflect the love of Christ. Sins of omission in this area include not being a good example to others, not bringing peace into our homes, not dressing modestly, or not being careful with our words, thereby causing scandal or leading others into sin.
Confession is an important part of the Christian life, as it allows us to repent of our sins and receive forgiveness. By confessing our sins of omission, we can realign our lives with God's will and purpose for us.
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Frequently asked questions
Gluttony, drunkenness, and lustful thoughts and actions.
Not praying every day, not contributing to charity, and neglecting prayers.
High-mindedness, arrogance, boasting, and hypocrisy.
Wrath, rage, revenge, quarrelling, and strife.
Rioting, treason, stirring up opposition against authority, and slander.