Not all sins are the same 

Sin is the Root of all Evil

Anyone who sins not only harms themselves but also inevitably harms others. Sin, even the most hidden sin, always has a social dimension. Moreover, where a sin is committed, not only do people suffer: But so does nature and the entire planet. 
However, exaggerated this may sound, the greatest danger to humanity is not war, disease, or natural disasters. The greatest threat is unrepentant sin because sin is the root of all evil. It creates disorder and disaster, which can take various forms. This also means that it is never God who punishes people. Sin itself punishes us. My sin and the sin of others.

What kinds of Sin are there?

There are not only sins that consist of evil thoughts or actions. There are also what we call sins of omission. We read an example of such a sin in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, several people walk past an injured person. But they don’t do anything. This “doing nothing” is their sin. Because they could and should have done something! 
There are also habitual sins that people commit again and again. They can lead as far as addiction. Or sins of thoughts and imagination that you are not acting upon at the moment but which you dwell on and would perhaps commit if the opportunity arose. 
Then, the Catechism of the Catholic Church lists the seven capital sins: Pride, Greed, Envy, Rage, Lust, Intemperance, and Sloth. They are called “capital sins” because they lead to further sins. Imagine: Someone gets drunk (a sin of intemperance) and kills someone while intoxicated.

Venial Sin versus Grave Sin

Not all sins are the same. The Catechism distinguishes between venial and grave sins. Venial sins are those “minor” sins we commit in everyday life out of carelessness. They “weaken” our love. Venial sins should be avoided and confessed, too. They can become a habit and, at some point, lead to grave sin. Grave sin is also called mortal sin. This is because it results in “death”, it kills the divine life in the soul.

Which Sins Must Be Confessed?

Mortal sin? That sounds deadly serious! What is a mortal sin? A mortal sin is directed against a person or a thing of this world and against God. Because of this, a grave sin requires both earthly reparation and reconciliation with God in the sacrament of confession. The penitent must confess all grave sins that he remembers.

For a sin to be mortal sin the following three conditions must all be fulfilled:
• Knowledge: The sinner must be fully aware of the wrongness of his actions. However, culpable blindness to the facts does not excuse the sinner.
• Willingness: The sin must be done with full intention and consciously, whereby the sinner must be aware that he could also resist the temptation.
• Gravity: The sin must be grave (concern a serious matter). It is a severe transgression of the divine order.

Heaven Begins in Your Heart

The closer you get to God, the more clearly you will realize how much you need his forgiveness. Remember that by reconciling with him, you can help make the world more beautiful. Heaven always begins in your heart when you say “no” to sin. By changing and repenting, you can change the world.

 

Find your confession manual here!