What is the difference between a Mortal Sin and a Venial Sin?

As followers of Christ, we recognize that all sin is bad because we see it as aggression in the eyes of God. A sin is a wound or breaks in our relationship with God. Christ came into the world to die for all our sins and for this reason we see all sins as evil. But at the same time, we believe that there are differences in the level of seriousness of sins.

We can describe our faith, our journey, or our purpose in one simple word… relationship. We have to live, strengthen and build our relationship with God and with our neighbors. As such, not all assaults or transgressions have the same effect on a relationship.

The Catholic Church describes this difference in levels of aggression or transgression as the difference between mortal sin and venial sin.

A mortal sin is a sin that can break the relationship we have with God, for that reason it is mortal. A venial sin is an aggression that damages or hurts the relationship with God but does not break it. For this reason, we say that all sins are bad because in one way or another they cause damage to our relationship with God or with our neighbor.

If we read in the bible 1 John 5:16-17 it says:

¹⁶If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 1 John 5:16-17

The verse tells us that there is a sin that leads to death and another that does not. This means that we can classify sins into two categories, one serious which causes death, and another not so serious which does not cause death; this is what we differentiate as a mortal sin and venial sin.

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If we pause and think about it for a second, it stands to reason that God is just and righteous and also sees the difference. Thinking a little (although we have limited thoughts), in your marriage if your partner lies to you and tells you that he is late because he is working, but in reality, he was having fun with co-workers, that lie can hurt you and hurt your relationship with your partner. partner. But what if your partner cheats on you time after time and doesn’t want to break up with the other person,

We can apply the same to our relationship with God and with our neighbors. There are things we can do that hurt our relationship with God or others (venial sins), but there are others that can break our relationship with God and others (mortal sins).

But let’s not forget that all sins are bad because they hurt or break the relationship with God or neighbor. Even a small wound can turn into a big wound and even a rupture if it is not attended to or cared for. Jesus came into the world and gave his life for sins, for this reason, sins have a lot of value, the value of Christ’s life, that’s why no sin should be taken lightly. But God is so good and merciful that he gives us the opportunity to be forgiven and to rebuild the relationship we have with Him and with others. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, he gives us the opportunity to build, heal, to reconcile with him and with our neighbor.

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