One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
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Paragraph 1862
1862. One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent.
Paragraph 1863
1863. Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul's progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God; it does not break the covenant with God. With God's grace it is humanly reparable. "Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness."134
While he is in the flesh, man cannot help but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these sins which we call "light": if you take them for light when you weigh them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What then is our hope? Above all, confession.135
Paragraph 1864
1864. "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin."136There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit.137Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.
Paragraph 1875
1875. Venial sin constitutes a moral disorder that is reparable by charity, which it allows to subsist in us.
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What did Jesus teach about loving your neighbor? (Matthew 22:39)
How to Avoid the Temptation of Lust and Adultery (Proverbs 5:3-6)
How does Job 38:1-11 reveal God’s sovereignty in the midst of suffering?
How important is God’s love to our lives, according to 1 John 4:8?
