The Seven Deadly Sins is a classification of some of the most objectionable vices. Today I was thinking about these vices. If you are not familiar with these sins, they are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. You probably have committed some of these sins. I know that I am guilty of some of these sins. Let’s take a closer look at these sins.
Lust – is usually thought of as excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature. Giving in to lusts can lead to sexual transgressions. In the news lately there has been this well-known golfer who has been associated with this deadly sin. Virtue - Chastity
Gluttony – is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. This is definitely a sin that I have committed (refer back to my posts about cake). Thomas Aquinas, who was a medieval church leader, prepared a list of six ways to commit gluttony (six ways – who knew) which include: eating too soon, eating too expensively, eating too much, eating too eagerly, eating to daintily, and eating wildly. Virtue - Temperance
Greed – like lust and gluttony is considered a sin of excess. Greed is applied to a very excessive desire of wealth, status and power. It is largely associated with material goods. Who can ever forget the line in the movie Wall Street, “Greed is good.” Well, greed isn’t good. If it wasn’t for greed, our economy wouldn’t be in the shape that it is in today. Virtue - Charity
Sloth – is often considered less serious than the other sins. It is more a sin of omission than of commission. It can be regarded as laziness and indifference or the failure to utilize one’s talents. When I chose to avoid exercise and just watch TV, I think of myself as being guilty of sloth. Virtue - Diligence
Wrath – is also known as anger or rage. It can be described as uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. Wrath is the only sin not necessarily associated with selfishness or self-interest. In the extreme wrath can lead to murder. Virtue - Patience
Envy – is resenting another person because they have something that you are lacking and wish the other person to be deprived of it. Aquinas, who I mentioned before, describes envy as “sorrow for another’s good”. Virtue - Kindness
Pride – is considered the most serious of the seven deadly sins and indeed the ultimate source from which the other arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others and excessive love of self. The best-known example, the story of Lucifer, pride (his desire to compete with God) was what caused his fall from Heaven and his resultant transformation into Satan. Virtue – Humility
For myself, not committing any of these sins makes for a better life. If I think of the issues that I am dealing with, I can trace them back to one of the seven deadly sins. I could go on and on about the affects of each of these sins but I have to end my post today. I do think that my post today gives you something to think about.
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