10/JESUS
10/4 SIN
WHAT IS SIN. To disobey God is to sin. To do what displeases
God is to sin. The result of sin is to separate oneself from God and eventually
bring suffering and sorrow to the sinner. There are two kinds of sin.
Disobedience in a lesser matter is called venal sin, and disobedience in a
serious matter is called mortal sin. Paul gives a list of some sins:
"Impurity, idolatry, rivalry, jealousy, selfishness, dissension, envy, and
excessive drinking.
MORTAL SIN. In the story of Adam and Eve, God told them they
could eat the fruit of all the trees except the fruit of one tree. The cunning
snake, a symbol of the devil, tempted them by lying saying the fruit of that
tree was good for them to eat. They believed the devil and ate the fruit
disobeying God. The result was their punishment of separation from God's
friendship and having to begin a life of hard work and suffering. Sin brings
suffering, sadness, and sorrow.
COMMITTING MORTAL SIN. Three factors involved in committing a
mortal sin are 1) The matter must be serious. To steal one dollar differs
greatly from stealing a million dollars. 2) One must know the matter is serious.
King David committed adultery by sinning with a married woman. 3) One must
freely do what is wrong. Judas the apostle freely committed a serious sin by
betraying Jesus for money. A serious matter, knowledge, and freedom are the
three factors involved when committing a mortal sin.
