The seven deadly sins were first enumerated in the sixth century by Pope Gregory I, and represent the sweep of immoral behavior.
Also known as the cardinal sins or seven deadly vices, they are vanity, jealousy, anger, laziness, greed, gluttony, and lust. People who demonstrate these immoral behaviors are often said to be flawed. Some modern thinkers suggest that virtue often disguises a hidden vice; it just depends on where we tip the scale.
According to Christian tradition, the seven deadly sins are not in any order- envy, gluttony, greed or avarice, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath.
Seven Deadly Sins
Which self-described Christian more like a habitual liar who claims to be religious has managed to embrace all of these in plain sight?
1. Lust
Lust is a strong passion or longing, especially for sexual desires.
The Bible speaks about lust in 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace...”
The Bible also mentions lust in the following verses: Job 31:1, Matthew 5:28, Philippians 4:8, James 1:14-15, 1 Peter 2:11, and 1 John 2:16.
Chastity or self-control cures lust by controlling passion and leveraging that energy for the good of others.
2. Gluttony
Gluttony is an excessive and ongoing eating of food or drink.
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Additional Bible references include Psalm 78:17-19, Philippians 3:19-20, Proverbs 23:1-3, Proverbs 23:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
Temperance cures gluttony by implanting the desire to be healthy, therefore making one fit to serve others.
3. Greed
Greed is an excessive pursuit of material goods.
The Bible says the following in Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
Other biblical texts which mention greed include Exodus 20:17, Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 28:25, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Philippians 4:6, and 1 Timothy 6:9-10.
Charity cures greed by putting the desire to help others above storing up treasure for one’s self.
4. Sloth
Sloth is excessive laziness or the failure to act and utilize one’s talents.
Solomon spoke of sloth in Proverbs 6:6 saying, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.”
The Bible also mentions sloth in the following verses: Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 24:33-34, Romans 12:11-13, Colossians 3:23, and 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Diligence or zeal cures slothfulness by placing the interest of others above a life of ease and relaxation.
5. Wrath
Wrath is a fit of strong anger and hate towards another person.
The Bible speaks about wrath in Romans 12:19, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
Additional Bible verses include Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 15:1, Ephesians 4:26-27, Colossians 3:8, and James 1:19-20.
Patience cures wrath by first understanding the needs and desires of others before acting or speaking.
6. Envy
Envy is the intense desire to have an item that someone else possesses.
The Bible says the following in Proverbs 14:30, “A sound heart is a life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.”
Other biblical texts which mention envy include: Job 5:2, Psalm 37:1, Proverbs 24:19-20, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Galatians 5:26, and James 3:14-16.
Kindness cures envy by placing the desire to help others above the need to supersede them.
7. Pride
Pride is an excessive view of one's self without regard for others.
The Bible says the following in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “...Let not the mighty man boast of his might...but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me...”
Pride is also mentioned in the following verses: Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:18, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 6:3, and James 4:6-7.