The Seven Deadly Sins: A Warning from the Early Church
The early church identified seven "deadly sins" – attitudes and activities that quietly corrupt the human heart. Scripture offers both a sobering warning and a gracious way forward.
Where the List Came From
As a result of fallen humanity's tendency to sin, the early church compiled a list of seven attitudes and activities which they warned against. The list, formulated in the sixth century, included pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth (laziness).
All Sin Is Deadly
A common misconception of 'deadly' sins is that they are sins God will not forgive. In reality, the only sin God will not forgive is that of continual unbelief, because it rejects the only means to obtain forgiveness – Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death on the cross. The Bible does not call these sins more deadly than any others, for all sin results in spiritual death, which is separation from God (Rom 6:23).
All sin is deadly so do something about it!
Forgiveness and Godly Virtues
Praise God, when confessed and abandoned, all our sins, including the 'seven deadly sins', can be forgiven (Mt 26:28; Act 10:43; Eph 1:7; 1 Jn 1:9). In their place we should be developing godly virtues in our lives: humility instead of pride, gratitude in the place of envy, temperance replacing gluttony, purity instead of lust, patience being substituted for anger, charity and generosity instead of greed, and diligence in preference to apathy.
Do not think that because you may not struggle with any of these seven you are somehow more holy. Scripture warns against spiritual overconfidence: "let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12). Pride in our apparent innocence is itself a deadly attitude, and the temptation we look down on in others can take root in us when conditions change. We all know the areas where we are vulnerable and need the Lord's help to resist temptation – and His help is exactly what He promises: He always provides a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13), and we may draw near to His throne of grace to find mercy and help in time of need (Heb 4:16).
We all have our areas where we stuggle
Reflection and Application:
- Identify which of the seven attitudes most easily entangles you.
- Confess and abandon it quickly, trusting God's forgiveness.
- Replace it with its godly virtue, such as humility instead of pride.
- Encourage someone else who is battling the same struggle.
See also: sin/sinners, temptation.