At some point in our lives, we may realize that there is a particular sin we want (need!) to stop. The sin may have become a nasty habit of ours and we may find it difficult to part ways with it.
In some ways we may even be attached to it, fearing what our life would be like if we ditched it.
Is it possible to stop such a sin? What should we do?
The Sinner's Guide
Venerable Louis of Granada, a Dominican priest of the 16th century, gives his advice in a book rightly called The Sinner's Guide. In it, he gives a step-by-step plan for sinners who want to start practicing virtue and be released from their slavery to sin.
According to Granada, "The first remedy against sin [is] a firm resolution not to commit it."
1Resolve not to sin again
Your first determination must be a deep and unshaken resolution never to commit mortal sin, for it can only rob us of the grace and friendship of God. Such a resolution is the basis of a virtuous life.
2Maintain this resolution no matter what
Thus a house is still called a house though its ornaments are removed, but if the building is destroyed the ornaments perish with it. Now, the very substance, the life of virtue is charity. This remains, and therefore our spiritual edifice stands as long as we maintain our resolution not to commit mortal sin. If this fails, the whole structure is reduced to ruin; we cease to be God's friends; we become His enemies.
3Replace sin with a desire to grow in friendship with God
He who desires to walk resolutely in the same path must strive to imitate them by fixing this resolution deep in his soul. Appreciating things at their true value, he must prefer the friendship of God to all the treasures of earth; he must unhesitatingly sacrifice perishable joys for delights that will be eternal. To accomplish this must be the end of all his actions; the object of all his prayers; the fruit he seeks in frequenting the sacraments; the profit he derives from sermons and pious reading; the lesson he should learn from the beauty and harmony of the world, and from all creatures.
4Don't give-up when you fail
Take a lesson from the carpenter, who, when he wishes to drive a large nail, is not satisfied with giving it a few strokes, but continues hammering until he is sure it is firmly fastened. You must imitate him, if you would firmly implant this resolution in your soul. Be not satisfied with renewing it from time to time, but daily take advantage of all the opportunities afforded you in meditation, in reading, in what you see or hear, to fix this horror of sin more deeply in your soul.
