- Resolve to find a priest and go to the Sacrament of Confession as soon as possible. Jesus gave priests the authority to forgive sins (John 20:23), and wants you to hear that you are forgiven.
- Smash your idols. You must remove from your midst those things which are leading you to sin. Jesus said, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell." (Matt 5:29)
- Throw away pornography anywhere you have it.
- Remove
computers/TV’s that are a temptation, or put them where you can be
accountable. What is more important: convenience, or your soul?
- Pour alcohol or drugs down the sink.
- Move out of your partner’s home if you
have been living together in sin, and commit to remaining pure in
actions and intentions until marriage.
- Get rid of any occultist items, such as horoscopes, Ouija Boards, Tarot Cards, amulets, charms, books or novels on witchcraft or the occult which contain spells, chants, etc. and say a prayer asking God to cleanse you of all evil influence or bondage from these things:
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"JESUS, I renounce the use of __________ and ask You to place the power of Your Holy Cross between me and this evil."
- Make ammends:
- Ask forgiveness when possible.
- Give back or replace what has been stolen, or repair what has been broken.
- Do what is necessary to undo harm where possible.
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- Take necessary steps to get help where needed:
- If you have an addiction, or feel overwhelmed by the effects of grave sin, you may need qualified counselling. This may be the way in which God wishes to bring about your complete healing, as long as it takes.
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- Go back to church and begin to receive the Sacraments which Christ has provided to strengthen, heal, and transform you. Find a church which you know is faithful to its Catholic teachings. If you aren’t Catholic, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you where to go. And begin to pray each day, speaking with Jesus as you would with a friend. There is no other love greater than God’s love for you, and you will discover this more deeply through prayer and reading the Bible, which is His love letter to you. Trust Him with all your heart.
Questions often asked…
• What exactly IS mortal sin:
Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It is a rejection of God’s moral order expressed in His commandments, and written on the human heart. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present: grave matter, full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will — one’s God-given free will.• How does it affect us now, and in eternity?
Mortal sin cuts one off from sanctifying Grace and the gift of eternal life offered freely through Jesus Christ. If mortal sin is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell — for our freedom has the power to make choices forever, with no turning back.• Is hell real?
Immediately after death, the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer its punishments, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in Whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.• What do we do if a loved one is in mortal sin?
(References: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Glossary, 1861, 1035)
If we truly love family and friends, we will not make excuses for their lifestyles in order to be liked or to keep from being rejected by them. We must speak the truth, but in gentleness and love. We must also be equipped spiritually, for our battle is not with flesh but with “principalities and powers” (Eph 6:12).
The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet are powerful tools to combat the forces of darkness–make no mistake about this. Fasting also avails us or the situation with tremendous graces. Jesus highlighted that some spiritual battles simply can’t be won without it. Fast, pray, and give everything to God.
by Mark Mallett