OCCASION OF SIN

An occasion of sin is any person, place, or thing that is likely to lead one into sin. So, for instance, for a reformed abuser of alcohol, casual association with old friends who drink heavily, and urge him to drink with them, is likely to be an occasion of sin.

Not all occasions of sin can be avoided, for there are many inducements to sin, and human nature is weak (cf. CCC 401, 407-409). Still, one has a duty to avoid when possible those near occasions of sin that constitute a grave danger of leading one into mortal sin. A Christian must be unwilling to allow anything to separate him from the love of Christ, as mortal sin does. Thrusting oneself unreasonably into circumstances likely to lead to mortal sin reveals a lack of concern for such love as well as a lack of appropriate love of oneself.

The repentant sinner especially is charged not to commit mortal sin again (cf. Jn 8:11). And an honest resolve not to commit sin requires a will not to enter deliberately into such circumstances without a serious reason: for example, a medical student who must study anatomical pictures, a priest hearing confessions. Hence acts of contrition frequently contain expressions like “I resolve to amend my life and to avoid the near occasions of sin.”
Some occasions of grave sin can be avoided entirely. Ordinarily one need not enter bookstores that sell obscene material or attend movies likely to stir one to lust. When one simply cannot avoid an occasion of sin or when one has an important reason (in charity or duty) to confront an occasion of sin, he should try to make the likelihood of yielding to the inducement to sin more remote by prayer (cf. CCC 2846-2854) and by other realistic efforts to lessen the danger.

See: Mortal Sin; Sin; Temptation.


Russell Shaw. Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrine. Copyright © 1997, Our Sunday Visitor.

For any inquiries or comment, you may contact the WEBMASTER
Last Updated: Sunday, April 01, 2001 01:25:11 PM