An Apologetical Explanation of the

Inclination to Sin

Why are we inclined to sin?

The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal 5:17-24)

Because of Original Sin we suffer from weakness in our will, intellect, and passions and are inclined to sin–an inclination called concupiscence. In order to avoid sin, we must rely on the grace of God and actively seek to choose good and to grow in holiness and virtue.

The sin of our first parents, called Original Sin, is “transmitted by propagation to all mankind” (CCC 404). As a result, every person is conceived in a fallen state that includes concupiscence, or the tendency to sin, which is now part of the human condition. (cf. Gn 3:11; Council of Trent: DS 1515). Although Baptism washes away Original Sin, i.e., fills us with sanctifying grace by which we can triumph over temptation, the Sacrament does not remove concupiscence. (Cf. CCC 399-409, 978-979, 1264)

With our conscience, will, and intellect weakened, we must actively remain faithful and struggle to overcome our disordered passions–primarily our passions of the flesh, for material possessions, and for self-indulgence in pride. To master sin we must rely on God’s grace and strive to master ourselves. The struggle must go on for a lifetime. We are comprised of body and soul–flesh and spirit–and “the flesh” possesses passions that “the spirit” must control (cf. Gal 5:16-17, 24; Eph 2:3). The great gift of Christ’s forgiveness–the grace given especially in the Sacrament of Penance as well as the practices of prayer and mortification for self-mastery–is an invaluable help in our continuing battle against sin. (Cf. CCC 377, 418, 2514-2516)

Many Protestants believe–in contrast to the Church’s teaching and Christian tradition–that concupiscence in itself is sinful and that even Baptism does not affect the sinfulness of our inclination to sin. Martin Luther taught that human nature is tainted so irrevocably that our wills are slaves to concupiscence; we are not capable of actions that are untainted by it.

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraph 2515.

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