Mortal Sins: The Spiritual Death of the Soul

In the modern understanding, the concept of mortal sins goes far beyond physical death, remaining a metaphor for profound spiritual loss. The discussion begins with the realization that certain actions not only harm our body but can also lead to the death of the soul, depriving it of the ability to receive divine grace. The core of this concept emphasizes that the refusal to repent and the continual state of spiritual decline may result in the soul being severed from God, plunging into the dark abysses of eternal condemnation. This approach allows sin to be seen as something that, like a wound to the body, inflicts irreparable damage on a person’s inner world. In conclusion, true redemption always starts with a deep awareness of one’s own pain and vulnerability, with repentance becoming the key to restoring the soul’s life force and the possibility of attaining spiritual freedom.

How should the term “Mortal Sins” be interpreted — are they sins that result in literal or metaphorical death?

The answer to your question is as follows: the term “Mortal Sins” should not be understood as leading to physical death, but rather as sins that result in the spiritual demise of the soul. In other words, if a person dies while immersed in mortal sin without having offered the proper repentance, their soul loses the potential for salvation and ends up in eternal separation from God — a metaphorical death, the death of the soul. For example, one source (“ link ”) states:
“If a person dies in mortal sin without having offered the appropriate repentance, then demons abduct their soul and drag it down into subterranean, gloomy, and stifling abysses, into hell for eternal torment.”

A similar interpretation is confirmed in another text (“ link ”), which emphasizes:
“There are mortal sins and non-mortal sins; mortal sin... from which the soul dies and can only be revived through repentance. Sin is to the soul what a bodily wound is to the body.”

Thus, mortal sins are characterized by their destructive spiritual essence: they “kill” the soul, depriving it of vital divine grace. This understanding underscores that it is not physical death at issue, but rather a spiritual death that leads to eternal separation if one does not turn to repentance.

Supporting citation(s):
“If a person dies in mortal sin without having offered the appropriate repentance, then demons abduct their soul and drag it down into subterranean, gloomy, and stifling abysses, into hell for eternal torment.” (source: link )
“There are mortal sins and non-mortal sins; mortal sin... from which the soul dies and can only be revived through repentance. Sin is to the soul what a bodily wound is to the body.” (source: link )