The Seven Capital Sins In Catholic Teachings: Understanding Transgressions

what are the 7 capital sins catholic

The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital sins, are a set of vices in Catholic doctrine that engender other sins and vices. The word 'capital' comes from the Latin 'caput', meaning 'head'. The seven deadly sins are pride, avarice/greed, lust, envy, wrath, gluttony, and sloth. These sins are considered to be the source of all other sins and are therefore seen as particularly grave.

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Pride: Excessive self-love or the desire to be better or more important than others

Pride is one of the seven deadly sins in the Catholic Church, also referred to as "capital sins". These are considered the most dangerous sins as they are the source of all other sins. The word "capital" comes from the Latin "caput", meaning "head".

Pride is defined as an "excessive love of self" or the "desire to be better or more important than others". It is further described as an "inordinate desire for one's own excellence". This can manifest as a refusal to submit one's intellect and will to God and to obey His commandments. A person with "complete pride" places themselves above God and His representatives, and can be said to have made themselves a god.

However, pride can also be "incomplete". In this case, a person does not reject God but simply thinks too highly of themselves. This can be associated with vainglory, where a person has an excessive desire for praise and recognition of their accomplishments. While it is natural to feel proud of one's achievements, vainglory becomes sinful when it is motivated by a desire for future praise and recognition.

Pride is considered a very dangerous vice as it can easily go unnoticed and infect all areas of one's life. It can lead to hatred of others, as well as a lack of spiritual growth. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, pride can take on four forms:

  • Attributing to ourselves perfections we do not possess
  • Possessing a perfection but attributing it to our own efforts rather than to God
  • Possessing a perfection given by God but feeling that we deserved it
  • Possessing a perfection and knowing it was undeserved but refusing to share it with others

Pride can also be understood as having an inflated sense of self-worth, which can lead to arrogance and a lack of self-awareness. This can be harmful to relationships and prevent the growth of other virtues, as it becomes difficult to recognise one's shortcomings.

Pride is often associated with a desire for power and control, as well as a need for attention and recognition. It can lead to a lack of gratitude and a failure to recognise one's blessings. Ultimately, pride is considered poisonous to the soul and can be a barrier to spiritual growth and a healthy relationship with God.

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Lust: An intense desire for sexual pleasure, money, power or fame

Lust is one of the seven deadly sins in Catholic theology. It is described as an "inordinate desire for sexual pleasure", or an "intense desire, usually for sexual pleasure, but also for money, power or fame".

Lust is considered a sin when sexual pleasure is sought for its own sake, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes. While sexual desire in itself is good and part of God's plan for humanity, when it is separated from God's love, it becomes disordered and self-seeking.

Lust is not limited to sexual pleasure, and can also include a desire for money, power, or fame. This is still considered a sin when it becomes the governing force in a person's life, taking over their will and intellect.

Lust is believed to lead to other sins and immoral behaviour. For example, lust may lead to adultery, which is considered a mortal sin in Catholic theology. It can be overcome through the practice of chastity.

Lust is not only a sin in Catholic theology but is also considered a sin in other religions, including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism.

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Gluttony: Overconsumption of food or drink, or material things

Gluttony is considered one of the seven deadly sins in the Catholic Church. It is defined as the overconsumption or overindulgence of food or drink, or the excessive consumption and desire for material things. This sin is not just about eating too much, but also about eating or drinking at the wrong time, too eagerly, too expensively, or too daintily. It is about defying the order of reason, which dictates that necessity should be the measure of our indulgence in eating and drinking.

Gluttony is a moral deformity that can have negative consequences for both our mental and physical health. It can also be a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem. A person who is habitually gluttonous is so consumed by the pleasures of food and drink that their life revolves around consuming them. This can lead to health issues and an impairment of their mental equipment, which is necessary for carrying out their duties.

To combat gluttony, one must practice temperance and be mindful of those less fortunate who lack access to adequate food and water. Mortification and fasting can also help one overcome this sin, as these acts of self-denial can provide perspective and remind us that food is for nourishment, not pleasure.

Gluttony is not just about food and drink, it can also manifest as a desire for material possessions. This form of gluttony is similar to greed, which is another of the seven deadly sins. Greed is the excessive yearning and desire for all earthly possessions, including power, wealth, and material objects. It is important to be mindful of the fine line between enjoying the pleasures of food, drink, and material goods, and falling into the sin of gluttony.

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Greed: The desire for and love of possessions

Greed, or avarice, is one of the seven deadly sins in Catholic theology. It is defined as the excessive yearning and desire for all earthly possessions, including power, wealth, and material objects. This can manifest in daily life as an intense attachment to material goods or power.

Greed is considered a capital sin because it engenders other sins and vices. In other words, it is the head of all sins and becomes the source of particular sins that are both mortal and venial. The repetition of actual sins, especially mortal sins, leads to the spiritual corruption of the person, whose life becomes permeated by vice.

Greed is an inordinate love of possessions or riches. A person motivated by greed is preoccupied with having and accumulating more, to the extent that the accumulation and retention of wealth and possessions become the major goal in life, taking priority over everyone and everything else. This can lead to a sense of self-sufficiency and independence from God.

Greed can take different forms. Some people may be greedy for material possessions, always wanting more and only giving away what they consider to be a surplus. Others may be greedy with their time, only doing what will benefit them in some way. Some may be greedy in their relationships, collecting people for status or using them for personal advantage.

Greed can lead to a hardening of the heart and a blindness to the needs of those less fortunate. It can also spark a sense of complacency and self-sufficiency, leading a person to become indifferent to God. This is why greed is considered a grave sin in Catholic theology.

To combat greed, one must cultivate an attitude of gratitude. This can be done through daily prayer and meditation on the blessings one enjoys. It is also important to examine how well one's blessings are used within one's means to help those less fortunate. Additionally, it is crucial to remember that when one dies, all possessions are left behind, and what truly matters is a soul filled with love for God and inscribed with good deeds.

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Sloth: Physical laziness, spiritual apathy and neglecting spiritual growth

Sloth, or "acedia", is one of the seven deadly sins in Catholic teachings. It is considered a sin of omission, arising from a lack of desire and/or performance. Sloth is defined as physical laziness, spiritual apathy, and neglecting spiritual growth.

Physical Laziness

Sloth is often associated with physical laziness or indolence. This can manifest as procrastination, idleness, indifference, and nonchalance. In the Bible, sloth is portrayed as a hindrance to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. It is compared to the behaviour of ants, who labour hard all summer to gather food for the winter, while the lazy person sleeps and rests, only to be met with poverty and scarcity. Slothfulness can lead to a neglect of physical responsibilities, resulting in deterioration and loss.

Spiritual Apathy

Beyond physical laziness, sloth also encompasses spiritual apathy or indifference. This involves a lack of interest in spiritual matters and a neglect of spiritual growth. In the Bible, sloth is warned against as it can lead to spiritual weakness and ineffectiveness. Believers are encouraged to be vigilant and active in their faith, avoiding complacency. Sloth can cause a person to become indifferent to their duties and obligations to God, neglecting prayer, study, and fellowship.

Neglecting Spiritual Growth

Sloth hinders spiritual progress and a person's relationship with God. It involves a refusal to exert oneself or take initiative, which can slow down spiritual growth and prevent a person from fulfilling their God-given potential. Sloth can cause a person to ignore or neglect the gifts, talents, and opportunities that God has provided, hindering their ability to serve God and others effectively.

Overcoming sloth involves recognising the importance of diligence, hard work, and faithfulness in all areas of life. It requires a commitment to spiritual growth, including regular prayer, study, and fellowship. By actively engaging in their faith and using their gifts for God's kingdom, individuals can avoid the sin of sloth and work towards fulfilling their divine purpose.

Frequently asked questions

The seven deadly sins, also known as capital sins, are pride, avarice/greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.

The word "capital" comes from the Latin "caput", meaning "head". They are called capital sins because they are seen as the source or head of all other sins.

Mortal sins are considered more serious and are committed with full knowledge and consent. Venial sins are less serious and can be committed through ignorance, duress, or lack of full consent.

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