Sins And Commandments: A Guide To Avoiding Transgression

The Seven Deadly Sins are a group of evil knights who are called upon by a deposed princess to help her reclaim her kingdom from tyrants. The Ten Commandments, on the other hand, are a group of ten powerful warriors who are the strongest among the Demon Clan. Each member of the Ten Commandments possesses a unique power, or Commandment, gifted to them by the Demon King, which delivers a unique curse to whoever breaks a specific rule. In the Bible, the Seven Deadly Sins are known as dispositions toward sin and separation from God, while the Ten Commandments are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship.

Wrath: Thou shalt not kill

The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is often interpreted as "Thou shalt not murder", with the original Hebrew, "lo tirtsah", meaning 'murder' rather than 'kill'. This is an important distinction, as it would otherwise imply that the Bible promotes pacifism and is against capital punishment.

The Bible contains numerous examples of God commanding others to kill, or carrying out violent acts himself. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2, for instance, God says: "When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations...then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy."

The commandment against murder is a legal matter governing human relationships. It is also based on respect for God himself. Genesis 4:10-11 states: "The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand."

Murder is also considered a capital crime in the Torah, with the Priestly Code allowing the victim's next of kin to exact retribution on the suspect. However, the accused could seek sanctuary in a city of refuge.

The New Testament is in agreement that murder is a grave moral evil, and Jesus himself repeats the commandment, saying, "Do not murder".

Greed: Thou shalt not steal

Greed is a sin that goes against the seventh commandment, "Thou shalt not steal". This commandment is widely understood as a moral imperative by legal, Jewish, Catholic, and Post-Reformation scholars. While the traditional interpretation of "steal" in this commandment refers to kidnapping, it has also come to include the unauthorised taking of private property, as well as other forms of theft and fraud.

The commandment against stealing is closely linked to the commandment to "love your neighbour as yourself". Stealing is viewed as an injury to one's neighbour, violating their rights and causing them harm. It is considered a sin of greed, which is often driven by covetousness and a lack of faith. Greed can lead to dishonest seeking of gain, including through theft, robbery, and various deceptive practices in trade.

To overcome greed and the temptation to steal, one must have faith in God's provision and be content with what one has. Instead of stealing or working solely to fulfil one's own desires, individuals are called to work hard and use their resources to help those in need. This shift in focus, from satisfying personal greed to giving to others, is a key aspect of evangelical obedience.

In summary, the seventh commandment, "Thou shalt not steal", serves as a moral guideline that prohibits stealing and other forms of dishonesty. It calls for individuals to have faith, be content, and use their resources to help those in need, rather than giving in to greed and covetousness.

Lust: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife

The seven deadly sins are considered \"dispositions toward sin and separation from God\", while the ten commandments are \"a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship". The ten commandments were formed when the Demon King divided his power into ten fragments and handed them to ten elite warriors in the form of commandments. Each member of the Ten Commandments possesses a unique power gifted to them by the Demon King, which delivers a unique curse to whoever breaks a rule specific to each member.

The seventh commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery", is held by Merascilla of Faith. This commandment is historically treated as a catch-all for any form of sexual immorality, not just adultery.

The tenth commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife", is held by Gowther and later Fraudrin, the Selflessness. "Coveting" is about feeling desire for the things other people have and selfishly wanting them for yourself at their expense. Gowther's commandment activates when someone acts selfishly and puts their own wants above those around them, causing them to lose all emotion as a consequence. To escape the commandment's power, one must genuinely desire the good of those around them and put them first.

The Demon King's power was eventually destroyed by Meliodas, who eradicated the Commandment powers.

Pride: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain

The sin of pride is often considered a direct violation of the second or third (depending on the source) of God's Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain". This commandment is directed against the abuse of God's name and can be interpreted in several ways.

Firstly, it can be understood as a prohibition against blasphemy or cursing God's name. This includes speaking God's name without due reverence, using it in magical incantations, or for false oaths or empty promises. The Hebrew Bible and New Testament provide examples of invoking God's name in oaths to tell the truth or support the truth of a statement, highlighting the importance of respecting and properly using God's name.

Secondly, the commandment can be interpreted as a warning against hypocrisy. This involves making a profession of God's name but not living up to that profession, or claiming to act in God's name while behaving in ways that contradict His character and teachings. The prophet Isaiah, for instance, rebuked Israel for bearing God's name and swearing by Him while worshipping idols, thus profaning His name.

Thirdly, the commandment can be seen as prohibiting false swearing or perjury. Invoking God's name in an oath was considered a guarantee of the truth of a statement, and breaking such a promise was considered a grave sin.

Finally, some scholars believe the original intent of the commandment was to prohibit the use of God's name in magical practices or conjuration.

Overall, the commandment serves as a reminder to honour and respect God's name, ensuring that it is not misused or abused in speech or actions.

Envy: Thou shalt not commit adultery

Envy is often associated with the sin of coveting your neighbour's belongings, spouse, or life. The seventh commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery", is a natural extension of this. Adultery is a sin of the flesh, driven by uncontrolled passions and lusts. It is a violation of the body, which is considered God's temple.

Adultery is defined as a sexual relationship between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. In the Bible, adultery is considered a grave sin with severe consequences, often punishable by death. The commandment against adultery underscores the sanctity of the marriage covenant and the importance of faithfulness within it.

The Bible equates adultery with sin, and Jesus himself affirmed this commandment. He expanded the understanding of adultery to include even lustful thoughts, saying:

> "But I say to you, anyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."

Jesus also dismissed provisions allowing for divorce for any reason, citing sexual immorality as the only legitimate reason for divorce. This further underscores the importance of faithfulness and purity in marriage.

Adultery is not only a sin between an individual and God but also an injustice that affects society by harming its fundamental unit, the family. It undermines the institution of marriage by breaking the contract on which it is based and compromises the welfare of children who need a stable family unit.

The commandment against adultery is not just about physical acts but also about guarding one's thoughts and maintaining purity of mind and body. It is a call to reflect God's character in our relationships and to cultivate holiness and purity in our lives.

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