Conquering Sin - The Only Way to Succeed

Christ said: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Once we exist the confessional, we can take a deep breath. The Lord our God has forgiven our sins. But we aren't off scott-free. Now we must attend to the business of living and attempting to obtain that Christ-commanded perfection.

Numerous wise individuals of our current era have pointed out that "Where the attention goes, there the energy flows." The lesson is that, once confessed, we must not dwell on our sins and shortcomings, for this would only drive more energy into them. Instead, we are called to focus intensely on those opposite qualities that counteract such sin.

For example, if in my confession I asked for forgiveness for being selfish and irritable, I would spend the next week(s) with an intentional, daily focus on generosity, charity, and patience. I might write these words on a stick note and place it on my bathroom mirror so that each day could start with a reminder on how to live so that I might enter the next confessional absent or lessened of selfishness and irritability and richer in patience and generosity.

Here is a list of the primary sins of man along with the opposite qualities we may focus on to destroy the sins and occasions for our sin.

The First Commandment, “You shall Worship the Lord Your God and Him only Shall You Serve”

Idolatry—Idolatry can be the worship, veneration or belief in false gods but more commonly it is the fervent belief in our own opinions, illusory identities, and self-righteousness. To combat this sin, we must focus on questioning our opinions, and submitting to the doctrine of the Holy Mother Church and its Magesterium, and practicing humility.

Divination, magic and sorcery and Atheism—These are grave sins that includes attempting to command the powers of the occult, control or speak to demons or spirits (especially Satan), attempting to divine the future, and the use of magic charms (CCC 2116). Because atheistic humanism falsely seeks man and human glory and rejects God, atheism is a grave sin (CCC 2125). It is a sin against the virtue of religion. St. Paul tells us, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unholiness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice” (Romans 1:18). To combat these sins, we are advised to attend church weekly and on all holy days of obligation, to pray the rosary, to practice lectio divina, and to practice fasting, abstinence, almsgiving, and regular thanksgiving.

Sacrilege—The sin of sacrilege is a grave sin that consists of profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and liturgical actions of the Church as well as things consecrated to God (CCC 2120). To combat this sin we are advised to not only read the bible, but to listen to lectures of notable Catholic thinkers such as Bishop Fulton Sheen or Bishop Barron, and to read the lives of the saints and the writings of the Church Fathers and Popes.

The Second Commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”

Blasphemy—This grave sin is the uttering of hatred, reproach, defiance or speaking ill of God. Blasphemy against the Church, the saints and sacred things is also a grave sin (CCC 2148). It fails to give love and respect to our Creator. St. James speaks against sinners who “blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you” (James 2:7). To combat this sin we are called to pray the rosary or to practice the Jesus Prayer [ Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. ] and to attend weekly adoration for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Perjury and False Oaths—Those who take an oath in the name of the Lord and fail to keep it, or break the oath at a later date, show a grave lack of respect for the Lord of all speech (CCC 2152). Pledging oneself to commit an evil deed is also sinful. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks against sinners who give false oaths (Matthew 5:33-34). To combat the sins of Perjury and False Oaths we are called to practice radical (but tactful and sensitive when necessary) honesty.

The Third Commandment, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy”

Deliberate failure of the Sunday obligation—The Christian Sunday (the Lord’s Day) celebrates the new life of the world born in Christ’s Resurrection. All humans have a duty, to praise God and give him thanks. Thus all Christians are bound to participate in the Mass, and must partake of the Eucharist at least on holy days of obligation. Deliberate failure to do this constitutes a grave sin (CCC 2181). To combat this sin, make a commitment to honor the Sabbath. Add it to your calendar or mark off the entire day on your calendar. Use this time to deepen familial relationships, to read the bible or other religious writings, and to serve your fellow man.

The Fourth Commandment, “Honor thy father and mother.”

This commandment obliges the faithful to show respect for their parents — as children and adults. Children must obey their parents, and adults must respect and see to the care of their parents, when they become old and infirm. To combat this sin one must contemplate if, when, and how they may have dishonored their parents and then humbly seek their forgiveness.

The Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not kill”

Murder (intentional homicide)—Direct and intentional killing is gravely sinful (CCC 2268). It is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance, much like the murder of Abel at the hands of Cain. Indirect homicide can also be of grave nature (such as refusing to help a person in danger). However, the Church teaches that self-defense is permissible for the preservation of a one’s life. If the attacker is mortally wounded or killed, then the death of the attacker is not a sin. Those who use unnecessary aggression in self-defense can sin mortally, if the attacker is killed or gravely injured. As Christ teaches us, sins don't necessarily require the physical completion to be a sin - sometimes even the thought can be as evil as the action. In this case, one must consider where their thoughts were full of anger, resentment, judgment, hatred and all of the darkest emotions that inspire some to murder. Whichever of these qualities is dominant in the personality, we can choose to focus intensely on its opposite until the dark qualities are dispersed.

Abortion—Human life begins at conception in the mother’s womb. For God tells us, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew thee, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5). Abortion is therefore murder. The oldest Christian book (besides parts of the Bible) is the Didache, a book composed by the twelve apostles or their disciples. The Didache proclaims the ancient teaching of the Catholic Church, “You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish” (Didache 2,2). All Catholics who procure a completed abortion or participate in the execution of an abortion are automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Church (CCC 2272 and CIC Canon 1314). If we have had an abortion or assisted others in an abortion, we are called to study the sanctity of life, for example, in documents such as Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life"), written by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Euthanasia—The direct killing of the sick, handicapped, or dying, regardless of motive, is a grave sin. The will and action taken to cause a person’s death is an act of murder (CCC 2277). Those who are suffering and are nearing death must be allowed to die (or recover, which is sometimes a possibility) naturally. Administration of painkillers is permissible, provided the drugs are not willed as an end or a means to precipitate death. “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of ‘overzealous treatment” (CCC 2278). In this case death is not willed, but is merely accepted as inevitable and cannot be impeded. If we have participated in any way with Euthanasia of others, we are called to study the sanctity of life, for example, in documents such as Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life"), written by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Suicide—Suicide is murder of the self. It is contrary to the love of God, self, family, friends and neighbors (CCC 2281). It is of especially grave nature, if it is intended to set an example for others to follow. Voluntary cooperation in a suicide is also contrary to the moral law. However, the responsibility of and gravity of suicide can be diminished in the cases of grave psychological disturbances, anguish, grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture. But this does not make it morally permissible, and it is the judgement of God that will measure the gravity or responsibility of the sin. If we have entertained suicidal thoughts we are called to study the sanctity of life, for example, in documents such as Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life"), written by Pope John Paul II in 1995. We are also called to increase our service to others in these times that we may redirect our focus from ourselves to God within others.

Scandal—Scandal is an attitude or behavior that leads another to do evil. If someone is deliberately lead into a grave offense, that person’s tempter commits a grave sin (CCC 2284 and 2285). Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). To combat scandal, we must practice reticence to speak and an increased willingness and effort to listen. We must also practice radical honest and humility. One might read and/or memorize the poem "Humility" by Canon T. T. Carter.

Drug abuse—Drug abuse does grave damage to health and life and is a grave offense. Only legitimate therapeutic use is acceptable (CCC 2290). To combat drug abuse, one is encouraged to pray the rosary, to remove oneself from the social networks of other users, and to dedicate spare time and money to the service of helping other people with addiction problems.

Gluttony—Gluttony is an excessive love for food, and is a disordered passion for wordly appetites. Because it is contrary to the virtue of temperance, it can constitute a grave sin. Gluttony is also a capital sin (CCC 1866, 2290) We are called to combat Gluttony with fasting, abstinence, and other practices that strengthen the will power such as cold plunges and exercise.

Alcohol Abuse—Alcohol abuse can also be excessively dangerous and harmful to the body, and sometimes to neighbors (CCC 2290).. Because it is also contrary to temperance and is a disordered passion, it is a grave sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). See suggestions for drug abuse above.

Extreme Anger—”Anger is a desire for revenge. If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin (CCC 2302). Christ speaks against anger saying, “Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement (Matthew 5:22).” See suggestions for Murder above.

Hatred—Hatred of a neighbor is to deliberately wish him evil, and is thus a grave sin (CCC 2303 and Galatians 5:19-20). See suggestions for Murder above.

Extortion—Extortion is to obtain something from another by coercion or intimidation. It is an act of violence and theft, and is condemned by 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. To combat extortion in ourselves, we are called to reduce our addiction and attachment to material things. We can do this by eliminating the quantity of material goods we have by donating some of our material wealth to others on a regular basis and by simplifying our living surroundings.

The Sixth Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery”

Adultery—Adultery is marital infidelity. A married person who has sexual relations with anyone but their lawful spouse, even transient sexual relations, commits adultery (CCC 2380). To combat adultery we are called to remove ourselves from the near occasions of sin.... situations that may make it too easy for adultery to happen. We can do this by focusing on the resolution of conflicts with our own partner and by regularly attending Mass and, if possible, joining a bible study or charity group.

Divorce—The grave sin of divorce condemns those who divorce and remarry (Matthew 5:32) and those who divorce in the civil sense (except by grave dispensation). Hence divorce between two baptized Christians is a mortal sin (CCC 2384). See suggestions for Adultery above.

Fornication—Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman and is a grave sin (CCC 2353). St. Paul condemns fornication in his epistle 1 Corinthians 6:18. All aspects of intimate contact associated with the marriage act also constitute fornication for Jesus said, “I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 9:28). If lustful looks are adulterous, how much worse is lustful physical contact? One is encouraged to combat this sin by the study of the Sanctity of Life as mentioned previously. One can also volunteer in a children's hospital or retirement home.

Pornography—Pornography is the display of intimate real or simulated sexual acts to a third party. Because it removes the marriage act from within the sacramental sanctity of marriage, and perverts sex, it is gravely contrary to charity (CCC 2354). The display of pornography to children and other parties is especially gravely sinful because it is gravely scandalous. See suggestions for Fornication.

Prostitution—Prostitution reduces a person to an instrument of sexual pleasure and lust. It is gravely contrary to charity and chastity and defiles the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. However, destitution, blackmail or social pressure can reduce the gravity of the sin. Still, prostitution is always a sin (CCC 2355). See suggestions for Fornication.

Rape—A person who commits rape violates the respect, freedom, physical and moral integrity of the victim. It is a brutal crime of violence that can physically and psychologically scar a person for life. It is thus a grave sin (CCC 2356). See suggestions for Fornication.

Homosexual acts—Although it remains to be determined if homosexuality is a genetic, social or personal stigma, homosexual acts are condemned by God and can NEVER be approved by the Church (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Genesis 19:1-29, Romans 1:24-27 and CCC 2357). If homosexuals are born with the condition, then they are called to live a life of Christian purity and chastity for the greater love of Christ. Such people can experience a life of trial, which all others must treat with compassion and sensitivity. See suggestions for Fornication.

Incest—”Incest is intimate relations between relatives or in-laws within a degree that prohibits marriage between them” (CCC 2388). St. Paul condemns incest in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:1,4-5). See suggestions for Fornication.

Masturbation—”Masturbation is the deliberate stimulation of the sexual organs in order to derive sexual pleasure” (CCC 2352). The Church teaches that sex has two main purposes that must be sought in the marriage act: sex is for reproduction of children within a valid marriage, and it is a loving, unifying act between husband and wife. Masturbation violates both aspects of the natural law and is thus a grave sin. See suggestions for Fornication.

The Seventh Commandment—”You shall not steal”

Theft—All persons have a right to lawful private property obtained by legitimate work, inheritance or gift. To violate a person’s right to property by theft is a grave sin, especially if the loss of the property will severely hurt the victim (CCC 2408). The gravity of theft is determined by the harm it does to the victim. A poor beggar who steals a loaf of bread commits a less grave sin than a rich man who steals the savings of a destitute person. St. Paul tells us that thieves shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). See suggestions for Extortion and Theft.

Cheating –A cheater defrauds his victim of their property. It is morally of grave matter unless the damage to the victim is unusually light (CCC 2413). One can combat cheating through radical honest, almsgiving, and humility.

Defrauding a worker of his wages—This is one of the sins that cry to heaven for vengeance. Defrauding a worker of his wages withholds and impedes his ability to sustain basic needs for himself and his family. It is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance (CCC 1867). See suggestions for Cheating.

Unfair wagers—Unfair wagers in games of chance are of grave matter if they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others (CCC 2413). See suggestions for Cheating.

Taking advantage of the poor—The economic or social exploitation of the poor for profit harms the dignity and natural rights of the victim. It is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance (CCC 1867). See suggestions for Cheating.

The Eighth Commandment—”You shall not bear false witness against your neighbors”

False witness and perjury—False witness is a public statement in court contrary to the truth. Perjury is false witness under oath. Both acts are gravely sinful when they condemn the innocent, exonerate the guilty or increase punishment of the accused. They are of grave matter because they contradict justice (CCC 2476). See suggestions for Cheating.

Adulation—Adulation is verbal speech or an attitude that encourages or confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. It is a grave sin if it makes one an accomplice in another’s vices or grave sins (CCC 2480). See suggestions for Cheating.

Lying—Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. It is gravely sinful when it significantly degrades the truth. The gravity of this sin is measured by the truth it perverts, the circumstances, intentions of the liar and harm done to the victims (CCC 2484). Lying is a sin that originates from the devil, Satan, who is “the father of all lies” (John 8:44). See suggestions for Cheating.

The Ninth Commandment—”You shall not covet…your neighbor’s wife”

Lust—Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. It is disordered because sexual pleasure must not be isolated from its true, natural place: within the Sacrament of Matrimony that is ordered to procreation of children and a unifying love between husband and wife (CCC 2351). Lust, a sin and vice of the flesh, is often a difficult vice to overcome. Human weakness of will and lack of conformity to God is a result of the fall of mankind that causes a disorder between soul and body (called concupiscence) which is often manifested in lust. Yet, lust is a sin that can be overcome through prayer and grace through the Christian sacraments. Christ wills that we overcome lust and replace it with Christian love and purity of heart (Matthew 9:28). “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). See suggestions for Adutory.

The Tenth Commandment—”You shall not covet…anything that is your neighbors”

Avarice—Avarice is greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without limit. It is a passion for riches and luxury. Those who seek temporal happiness at the expense of spiritual duties, risk the grave sin of avarice. Avarice is one of the deadly vices (CCC 2536). See suggestions for Theft.

Envy—Envy, another capital sin, is sadness at the sight of another’s goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself. Envy can lead to grave consequences and can harm neighbors. If envy leads to grave harm to a neighbor, it is surely a grave sin. See suggestions for Theft.

Offenses Against Faith

Voluntary doubt of faith—Voluntary doubt of faith is disregarding the revealed truth of God and his Church (CCC 2088). Those who do this risk spiritual blindness and loss of faith. One must nip doubt in the bud. This can be done through prayer, study, and service.

Incredulity, heresy, apostasy, schism—Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or willful refusal to assent to it. Heresy is obstinate post-baptismal denial of a truth that must be believed with divine and catholic faith. Apostasy is total repudiation of the Christian faith. Schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or communion with the members of the Church (CCC 2089). These sins strain or break the bonds of unity with the offender and the Catholic Church. See suggestions for Doubt.

Offenses Against Hope

Despair in hope—Those who despair in hope, cease to hope in salvation from God or help in attaining forgiveness of sin (CCC 2090). Christian hope sustains a believer’s faith and dependence on God, and should not be neglected or rejected. We can fight the sin of despair by putting our faith in God and studying the lives of the saints and those who have experienced miracles. Listening to and reading testimonies is a great way to inspire faith and hope.

Presumption—The Church teaches of two types of sinful presumption: the presumption that man can save himself without help from God and the presumption that God’s power or his mercy will merit him forgiveness without repentance and conversion (CCC 2092). We can fight presumption by submitting to the Doctrines of the Church and Magesterium and practicing humility (See Benedictines seven types of humility).

Offenses Against Charity

Indifference—This grave sin entails neglect or refusal on divine charity (a.k.a. divine love). Those who sin in indifference fail to consider the goodness of charity, and deny its power (CCC 2094). We are called to do unto the least of men as we would do unto Christ himself. Let us practice the recognition of Christ in each individual.

Ingratitude—An ungrateful sinner fails or refuses to acknowledge and return the love and charity of God (CCC 2094). We can fight the temptation to be ungrateful by adding a prayer of thanksgiving to the end of our day right before sleep - simply reflecting on all the graces bestowed upon us by God that day, no matter how small they may seem.

Lukewarmness—Lukewarmness is negligence in response to God’s charity. It can also mean the refusal to give oneself to the prompting of charity (CCC 2094). See suggestions for Ingratitude.

Acedia (spiritual sloth)—Spiritual sloth, a capital sin, is the refusal of joy that comes from God. An sinner who indulges in acedia may even be repelled by divine goodness (CCC 2094). See suggestions for Ingratitude. It can also be helpful to listen to inspiring, religious music such as gregorian chant or larger choral works or even symphonic liturgical settings such as those by Brahams or Mozart.

Hatred of God—This grave sin is born of pride and is contrary to the love of God. A sinner who hates God willfully rejects him. Hatred of God refuses to acknowledge and praise God’s goodness and obedience (CCC 2094). To fight Hatred of God we must practice humility. From this practice all goodness wll flow.

Of course we must realize that this is certainly not a complete list of sins. The sins that are listed above are those of grave matter that can become mortal sins if they are done willfully and with full knowledge of their nature. Other sins are of venial nature, and are less grave than the ones listed above.  Regarldess of the sin specifics, the best way to virtually instantly destory those sins is to intensely focus on their opposite for the periods of time between when we enter the confessional (one to two weeks). With this practice one will surely move toward a quiet, natural sainthood.