Walking With God: Breaking Free From the Shadows of Sin

Some of my friends jokingly approach me and say, “Bless me, brother, for I have sinned.” This phrase has practically become their national anthem whenever they meet me—whether in the streets, at stores, or in the company’s production area. More often than not, I reply lightheartedly, “Alright, tell me what’s been bothering you.” And sometimes, others do share their concerns, sincerely believing that their unease stems from something they have done.

Many of these conversations eventually lead to an intriguing reflection: What is the difference between sin and mistake? Their perceptions of sin remind me of one of my seminary lessons—the contrasting views of sin as understood by the lay faithful and as defined by the Church.

In a simple yet profound perspective, the common people often view sin as the commission of an act that leads them into spiritual turmoil—a wrongdoing that casts them into distress, regardless of whether it was committed with deliberate intent. In their eyes, even an unintended mistake can be burdensome, creating a sense of guilt and unease that lingers long after the action has passed.

However, as far as my memory serves me, the Church defines sin as the commission or omission of an act that carries moral and spiritual culpability. Not all acts of commission or omission result in sin—it depends on the circumstances. A sin becomes morally and spiritually culpable when committed with malice aforethought, meaning the intent to harm or deceive. This is why an accidental or unintentional act, such as a hit-and-run tragedy, carries a lesser moral weight compared to a premeditated crime.

Another example of a simple mistake is omitting a particular word in a sentence to correct its structure. In such cases, omission is necessary to maintain grammatical accuracy. However, there are instances where omission crosses into immorality—such as plagiarism. Stealing someone else’s work is both a sin of commission and omission—not only does one take what is not theirs, but they also neglect their responsibility to uphold honesty and integrity. This act does not merely harm others but also tarnishes one's own moral compass.

With this understanding, I offer a simple piece of advice to my friends: not all mistakes are sins, but all sins are mistakes.

Now, if mistakes are not always sinful, what do they mean in the realm of morality and spirituality? After much contemplation and prayer, I have come to see them as our personal evils. Why call them personal evils? Because they stem from within us. They arise from human nature—from our innate capacity for intuition, innovation, and intellectual reasoning. They do not originate from mere animals, who act without moral consciousness. As human beings, we possess the ability to reflect upon and correct our mistakes before they escalate into sins.

Mistakes, if left unaddressed, may gradually evolve into sin. As I have said before, they are personal evils, and only we—persons blessed by God with spiritual, physical, mental, and elemental wisdom—can fight against them. Anger, for instance, is instinctual and natural. However, when anger festers and transforms into hatred, it becomes a far greater evil. Saint Peter reminds us, “If you are angry, let it be without sin; the sun must not go down on your wrath.” Similarly, my college professor once told me, “Everything that goes to the extreme is bad.”

Our personal evils often tempt us to cross the threshold between what is reasonable and what is harmful. That is why we must learn to pull back—to step on our moral brakes—so that our spiritual well-being is not put in jeopardy.

Overcoming Personal Evils: A Threefold Path

How can we guard ourselves against these dangers? How do we step on the brakes before losing control?

1. Put God first in our journey. When we walk with Him, it becomes easier to be mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions. His presence guides us toward righteousness and keeps our hearts attuned to truth.
   
   

2. Contemplate daily. Every second of the day, we must reflect on whether our choices align with what is right. Self-examination allows us to correct our course before straying too far.
   
   

3. Choose goodness, always. Being good is not merely about preserving our self-image but about uplifting others. When we act with kindness and integrity, we contribute to a better world—not just for ourselves but for those around us.
   
   

Through these practices, we can live fully alive—fully immersed in God’s love, free from the burdens of personal evils.