The Bible's Mortal Sins: A Guide To Seven Deadly Transgressions

The Bible teaches that sin is anything that goes against God's will and that committing a sin takes us farther away from God. In Christian theology, a mortal sin is a grave or serious act of offence that can lead to damnation if a person does not repent before death. Mortal sins are considered more severe than venial sins, requiring confession and resolution, whereas venial sins are minor offences that can be atoned for without confession.

According to Catholic doctrine, for a sin to be considered mortal, it must meet three criteria: the act must be committed with full knowledge that it is a sin, it must be committed with deliberate consent, and the matter of the sin must be grave. While there is no exhaustive list of mortal sins, commonly included are idolatry, heresy, atheism, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, murder, theft, and sexual acts such as adultery, pornography, prostitution, and rape.

The seven deadly sins—pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed—are also considered mortal sins and are seen as particularly destructive to the soul. These sins are called deadly because they can lead to spiritual death if not repented and forgiven.

Idolatry

Even simulating idolatry to escape death during persecution is a mortal sin. This is because of the pernicious falsehood it involves and the scandal it causes. The Catholic Church makes an essential distinction between idolatry and the veneration of images. While idolatry involves crediting an image with divinity or divine powers, the Church teaches that images have no divinity or virtue and are only representations of Christ and the Saints.

To be considered a mortal sin, three conditions must be met: the act must be of grave matter, it must be committed with full knowledge, and it must be committed with deliberate consent.

Sacrilege

There are three types of sacrilege: personal, local, and real. Personal sacrilege involves dealing with a sacred person irreverently, such as through violence or violating their ecclesiastical immunity. Local sacrilege involves the violation of a sacred place, such as a church, chapel, or cemetery. Real sacrilege involves the irreverent treatment of sacred things, such as the improper administration of sacraments or mistreatment of sacred pictures or relics.

Abortion

The Catholic Church teaches that procured abortion is a mortal sin against the Fifth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill". The Church holds that procured abortion is an intrinsic evil and a crime against human life, dignity, and freedom because it is the murder (direct intentional killing) of a human being (unborn person). The Church also teaches that procured abortion cannot be justified, legalised, participated in, or cooperated with, for any reason or under any circumstance.

The Church's position on abortion is based on the belief that human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of existence, a human being is considered to have the rights of a person, including the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. This belief is supported by early Christian writings such as the Didache, the Epistle of Barnabas, and the Apocalypse of Peter, as well as the works of early writers such as Tertullian, Athenagoras of Athens, and Clement of Alexandria.

The Church's teaching on abortion has been reaffirmed by various Popes, including Pope John Paul II, who stated that procured abortion is a moral evil that "has not changed and remains unchangeable". Pope Francis has also spoken out against abortion, calling it an injustice to the unwanted child and encouraging Catholics to protect the most vulnerable, who have the right to be born into life.

Despite the Church's clear stance on abortion, it is important to note that the forgiveness of women who have had abortions is also a part of Catholic doctrine. Pope John Paul II, in his teachings, acknowledged the complex factors that may influence a woman's decision to have an abortion and extended an assurance of the possibility of forgiveness through sincere repentance and confession.

Blasphemy

The unforgivable sin, or the eternal sin, is also associated with blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is based on several passages in the Bible, including the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10) and other New Testament passages (Hebrews 6:4–6, 10:26–31, and 1 John 5:16). These passages suggest that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unpardonable sin, as it involves attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan or resisting the truth. However, some theologians interpret the unforgivable sin as a rejection of Jesus Christ through determined malice and hatred.

Overall, blasphemy is a grave sin in Christian theology, and it is considered a direct offence against God and His goodness.

Murder

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, provides a foundation for understanding mortal sins. In the book of Genesis, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, which include "Thou shall not kill" or "Thou shall not murder." This commandment is summed up in another part of the Bible, Romans 13:9, which states, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church elaborates on the gravity of murder, stating that it is considered graver than theft because it involves taking a life created in the image of God. The Catechism also notes that violence against parents is considered graver than violence against a stranger.

In addition to the gravity of the act, two other conditions must be met for an act to be considered a mortal sin: full knowledge and deliberate consent. In the case of murder, this would mean that the person committing the act is aware that it is a sin and chooses to do it without being forced.

The Bible provides examples of the deadly nature of murder, such as the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis, where Cain is cursed by God for murdering his brother.

The New Testament also addresses the seriousness of murder, with Jesus stating that those who draw the sword will die by the sword. Additionally, the writers of the New Testament emphasize the importance of loving one another and not committing murder.

Overall, murder is considered a grave matter in Christian theology and is consistently listed as a mortal sin due to its severe nature and the intentional taking of a human life, which is created in the image of God.

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