
The seven deadly sins are a group of vices in Christian theology. They are pride, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, greed, and sloth. The concept of the seven deadly sins was first introduced by Pope Gregory I in the 6th century, though it was based on the work of Evagrius Ponticus, a 4th-century monk who identified eight evil thoughts rather than seven. The seven deadly sins are considered particularly severe and are associated with moral transgressions that can lead to damnation if not repented. They are called deadly because they can lead to spiritual death if not atoned for. The seven deadly sins have influenced Christian teaching, literature, and art, serving as a moral framework for believers.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Excessive desire for sexual gratification | Lust |
Overindulgence or overconsumption of food or drink | Gluttony |
Excessive desire for material wealth or possessions | Greed |
Laziness, avoidance of work or duty | Sloth |
Intense and uncontrolled anger or hatred | Wrath |
Jealousy or resentment towards others' success or possessions | Envy |
Excessive belief in one's abilities or qualities | Pride |
What You'll Learn
Pride: Excessive belief in one's abilities or qualities
Pride is a complex emotion that intertwines with our self-esteem and dignity. It can be a double-edged sword, fuelling ambition, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment, but it can also breed arrogance, isolation, and resistance to feedback when it goes unchecked.
Pride is often regarded as the root of all other sins. It involves an inflated sense of self-importance, an excessive focus on oneself, and a failure to acknowledge one's dependence on God. It is the opposite of humility and is considered the most demonic of the seven deadly sins.
- Arrogance: Prideful people often have an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority over others, and they express this belief overtly. They may belittle others' achievements or ideas while boasting about their own.
- Lack of empathy: Prideful individuals often lack empathy, as their self-focused perspective takes precedence over understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Inability to admit wrongdoing: Prideful people often refuse to acknowledge their mistakes or accept responsibility because it challenges their inflated self-perception.
- Need to be right: Prideful individuals are often relentless in their pursuit of correctness, stubbornly clinging to their viewpoint and refusing to consider alternative perspectives.
- Disregard for others' opinions: Pride is associated with a dismissive attitude towards others' opinions, ignoring valuable input, belittling differing viewpoints, or monopolizing conversations.
- Self-centredness: Prideful people tend to be excessively preoccupied with their own needs, desires, and achievements, neglecting the feelings, needs, or perspectives of others.
- Unwillingness to ask for help: Driven by an inflated sense of self-reliance, prideful individuals may hesitate to seek help, fearing it as a sign of weakness or incompetence.
- Defensiveness: Pride can lead to defensive behaviour as individuals strive to protect their inflated self-image and avoid admitting faults or mistakes. They may reject constructive criticism, blame others for their failures, or respond aggressively to perceived slights.
Incense Burning: A Sinful Practice or Cultural Ritual?
You may want to see also
Envy: Jealousy or resentment towards others' success or possessions
Envy is one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology, and it is defined as jealousy or resentment towards others' success, possessions, or desirable qualities. It is a complex emotional response that arises when one perceives another individual as having an advantage they desire but lack. This can include tangible things, such as material possessions, or intangible things, such as success, achievements, or relationships. Envy is characterised by feelings of inferiority, longing, resentment, or ill-will towards the person who possesses the desired advantage.
The distinction between envy and jealousy is important to note. Both involve a feeling of desiring what another person has, but jealousy often involves a more negative response, including resentment towards the other person. Envy, on the other hand, can be described as a mix of admiration and discontent, and it does not always imply hostility. However, envy can lead to destructive thoughts and behaviours, such as self-deprecation or the desire to undermine others.
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the struggle aroused by envy progresses through three stages. In the first stage, the envious person attempts to lower the reputation of the person they envy. In the second stage, the envious person experiences either "joy at another's misfortune" if they succeed in defaming the other person, or "grief at another's prosperity" if they fail. The third stage is hatred, as "sorrow causes hatred", according to Aquinas.
Envy is considered a "deadly" sin because it can lead to spiritual death if not repented and forgiven. It is seen as particularly destructive to the soul and is considered a transgression of God's law. Envy is also mentioned in the Bible, with the Tenth Commandment warning against coveting your neighbour's belongings or successes.
Catholics' Views on Homosexuality: Sin or Not?
You may want to see also
Wrath: Intense and uncontrolled anger or hatred
Wrath, one of the seven deadly sins, is defined as a strong feeling of hatred or resentment with a desire for vengeance. This feeling of vengeance is what separates wrath from anger, which is balanced with reason and is not a sin. Wrath is often associated with a desire for revenge or justice, and it is considered a destructive force that can lead to harmful actions and consequences.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, anger is distinct from the sin of wrath. Anger is one of the "passions" or feelings that incline humans to act or not act in response to something that is perceived as good or evil. Passions are not considered good or evil in themselves, but they take on a moral quality based on how effectively they engage with reason and will. Therefore, passions are considered morally good when they lead to a good action and morally evil when they contribute to an evil action.
Wrath is believed to generate other sins and further immoral behaviour. In the Bible, wrath and anger are frequently warned against. For example, Psalm 37:8 advises: "Refrain from anger, and forsake from wrath...it leads only to evil." In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus alludes to the dangers of wrath while admonishing one of his disciples for brandishing a sword against his captors: "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (26:52).
In art, wrath has been depicted through scenes of well-known Biblical and classical stories, such as in Peter Paul Rubens' paintings "Cain Slaying Abel" and "The Wrath of Achilles" from the 17th century. In Dante's "Inferno," sinners who were guilty of wrath were assigned to the fifth circle of hell, where they attack each other in the muddy swamp of the Styx.
Skinny Dipping: A Catholic Sin or Not?
You may want to see also
Lust: Excessive desire for sexual gratification
Lust, or 'luxuria', is considered one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology. It is defined as an excessive or intense longing for sexual gratification. This can include sexual immorality, such as adultery, or sexual thoughts that are considered immoral.
The Bible makes several references to lust, cautioning against lustful behaviour and emphasising the importance of self-control, purity, and chastity. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
> "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28, ESV)
This verse highlights the importance of internal thoughts and desires, as well as external actions. Other Bible passages that address lust include 2 Timothy 2:22, Job 31:1, James 1:14-15, 1 Peter 2:11, and 1 John 2:16.
Lust is often contrasted with chastity or self-control, which involves controlling one's passions and leveraging that energy for the good of others. It is considered a destructive force that can lead to spiritual death if not repented and forgiven.
In modern times, the concept of lust has been interpreted more broadly and can also refer to an intense and unreasonable desire for wealth, fame, or power.
Separating Ashes: Sinful or Not?
You may want to see also
Gluttony: Overindulgence or overconsumption of food or drink
Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology and is defined as the overindulgence or overconsumption of food or drink. It is considered a grave sin, as it can lead to spiritual death if not repented. The Bible cautions against gluttony, encouraging moderation and self-control. For instance, Proverbs 23:20-21 warns against the consequences of gluttony:
> "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags."
Gluttony is not just about consuming too much food or drink; it also includes an obsessive anticipation of meals and indulging in costly delicacies. Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas identified five forms of gluttony:
- Laute: eating too expensively
- Studiose: eating too daintily
- Nimis: eating too much
- Praepropere: eating too soon
- Ardenter: eating too eagerly
Gluttony is seen as a sin of excess, and it can lead to wastefulness and neglect of the needy. It is a sin of self-indulgence and can be a barrier to spiritual growth. The counterpart to gluttony is temperance, which involves self-control, contentment, discernment, patience, and moderation in consumption.
The Bible and Homosexuality: Sin or Not?
You may want to see also