May

17

On Dealing with Sin

May 17, 2007 |

“Sin never helps.” Sin always wounds us and leaves us worse off. We delude ourselves that the sinful indulgence will somehow ease our way. It does not. Sin is not practical.

“We can’t achieve happiness in our lives if we hold on to serious sin.” We fear to let go; but once we let go, we enter a world better than we could ever have imagined for ourselves. It is all about trusting God who wills the best for us because he loves us, a God who wants to make us happy and joyful and content.

“Big sins are bad. Little sins are less bad, but still bad.” Pay attention to deliberate venial sin. Anyone familiar with the writtings of the saints knows how important it is to tale deliberate venial sins very seriously.

“Dealing with the affection for sin.” True freedom from sin includes freedom from the affection for sin. The vacuum that affection for sin seeks to fill must be filled by affection for the fruits of the Holy Spirit as listed in Galatians. As human beings, we need to experience pleasure - but let us take pleasure in what is good for us and makes us stronger and healthier.

“Temptation is not sin.” All the great saints were tempted throughout their lives. The reality of temptation must not be allowed to lead us to despair. We keep beginning again and again in humility.

“Avoid near occasions of sin.” That magazine is better left unread, even if it is considered acceptable by contemporary social standards. That particular website or advertisement should be avoided, even if it is not technicaly considered obscene. We know what is at issue. With the contemporary collapse of moral standards, we need to draw lines radically different from those of current social convention in what we read, what we look at, and how we dress.

“Talk to somebody.” Discuss your struggles with a confessor or spiritual director or Christian friend. Disclose your sins to a confessor or spiritual director; hold nothing back. Of course, prudent discretion must be used when seeking to disclose outside the seal of the confessional. You can always present difficult situations to trusted, mature friends without naming details or giving names.

“Humility.” Do not get proud because you overcame a paricular sin or fault. Pride cometh before a fall. Know that you will be continually humbled–so get ready.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Abbey-Roads2 » Blog Archive » On dealing with sin… on May 17, 2007 8:19 pm

    [...] A hermit has an excellent post on the subject of sin - visit him at Immaculate Heart of Mary Hermitage.  Good counsel.  [...]

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