1. What is sin?
Sin is any thought, word, desire, action or neglect forbidden by the Law of God.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1st John 1:8).
2. When am I guilty of sin?
To be guilty of sin
1) I must realize that I am breaking God’s Law, and
2) I must freely choose to do it.
3. How many kinds of sin are there?
There are two kinds of sin: Mortal Sin, which is a big sin, and Venial Sin, which is a small sin.
“There is a sin unto death” (1st John 5:16).
4. Name some mortal sins.
Refusing to accept all of God’s Teaching
Never praying
Telling serious lies
Not going to Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation.
Getting very drunk
Killing an unborn baby in the womb
All sins of sex
Stealing something expensive
5. What does mortal sin do to my soul?
Mortal sin kills the grace in my soul.
“What fruit had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death” (Romans 6:21).
6. Where will I go if I die with a mortal sin on my soul?
If I die with a mortal sin on my soul, I will be sent to hell forever.
“They shall have their portion in the pool burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Apocalypse 21:8).
7. Can all mortal sins be forgiven?
Yes, all mortal sins can be forgiven if I am really sorry for them, promise not to do them again and do all that Jesus has commanded me to do to get them forgiven.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all iniquity” (1st John 1:9).
8. Name some venial sins.
Telling small lies
being impatient
ordinary anger
stealing something cheap
speaking or thinking unkindly of others
getting slightly drunk.
9. What does venial sin do to my soul?
Venial sin does not kill the grace in my soul, but it does make me less pleasing to God.
“If any man’s work burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1st Corinthians 3:15).
10. Why should I avoid venial sin?
I should avoid venial sin because each venial sin I commit makes me weaker so that I fall more easily into mortal sin.
“He that contemns little things shall fall by little and little” (Ecclesiasticus 19:1).
11. Can a number of venial sins become a mortal sin?
No, a number of venial sins by themselves cannot become a mortal sin if added together.
12. If I do something wrong, but through no fault of my own do not know it is wrong, am I guilty of sin?
No, if I do something wrong but through no fault of my own not know that it is wrong, I am not guilty of sin.
For example, I eat meat on Friday, forgetting, through no fault of my own, that it is Friday. In such a case, I am not guilty of sin.
13. If I do something, I know is wrong but am uncertain whether it is a mortal or a venial sin, what kind of a sin do I commit?
I do something which I know is wrong but am uncertain whether it is a mortal or a venial sin, I commit a mortal sin, because I show myself willing to offend God seriously.
For example: I do not know whether it is a mortal or venial sin to eat too much. I am guilty of a mortal sin if I go ahead and eat too much, although later on I find out that it is a venial sin.
14. Am I guilty of sin if I intend to do something wrong, even though I do not actually do it?
Yes, I am guilty of sin if I intend to do something wrong even though I do not actually do it, because even the intention to offend God is a sin. But actually doing the act makes it a bigger sin.
For example: I fully intend to commit adultery, but I am prevented from doing so. In such a case, I am guilty of sin.
15. What should I do if I am not sure whether or not something is a sin, or whether it is a mortal or venial sin?
If I am not sure whether or not something is a sin, or whether it is a mortal or a venial sin, I should refrain from doing it and in the meantime find out for sure from the Priest.
16. What is temptation?
Temptation is an attraction to commit sin.
“The life of man upon earth is a warfare” (Job 7:1).
17. Is temptation a sin?
No, temptation is not a sin. I am not guilty until I actually choose to make the sin my own.
“Every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, beggeth death” (James 1:14, 15),
18. Can I always overcome temptation?
Yes, I can always overcome temptation, because no temptation can force me into sin and God will always help me if I ask Him.
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12).
19. What should I do when I am tempted?
When I am tempted, I should ask God to help me not to sin, and then I should get busy doing something else.
“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
“Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak” (Matthew 26:41).
20. How can I avoid temptations?
I can avoid temptations by avoiding the near occasions of sin and by asking God for actual graces.
“O Lord, Father, and God of my life … give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all coveting. Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind” (Ecclesiasticus 23:4-6).
21. What are the near occasions of sin?
The near occasions of sin are all persons, places or things that may easily lead me into sin.
“Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones” (Ecclesiasticus 32:5).
22. What are actual graces?
Actual graces are helps of God which enlighten the mind and strengthen the will to do good and avoid evil.
“And He said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity” (2nd Corinthians 12:9).
“Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
23. Can persons in mortal sin receive actual graces?
Yes, persons in mortal sin can and do receive actual graces to help them be sorry for their sins and turn back to God.
“For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
24. Can I resist actual graces?
Yes, unfortunately, I can resist actual graces, for I am free, and God does not force me to accept them.
“By the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace in me hath not been void” (1st Corinthians 5:10).
“We exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain” (2nd Corinthians 6:1).