7 Capital sins are the main faults and inclinations of human nature that can lead a man or woman to commit other sins. All covered with great gravity, because they deeply distance us from the love of God. Let's learn how to beat them according to the word of God.
7 Deadly Sins
Whatever sin is committed without a subsequent act of repentance, to expose it in the light of Christ. It makes the believer's heart harden little by little and therefore move away from the purpose that God has for his life. The believer continually wages a battle against sin, because of the sinful nature of man. Even though Christ leads us from being an Adamic generation to being children of God, by the Spirit of adoption. Galatians 3:26
For we are children of God through faith in Christ Jesus
Even so, the believer is no stranger to being tempted or committing sin. However, in God's manual, the Bible, he teaches us and gives us the tools to overcome and keep sin away. Christ reconciled us with our heavenly Father, therefore we can freely approach the throne of Grace, Hebrews 4:15-16. Praying with humility and in an attitude of sincere repentance. God likes a heart that recognizes that he has been weak and repents in the name of Jesus, Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
17 For you, the best offering is humility. You, my God, do not despise those who sincerely humble themselves and repent.
When we go to intimacy with the Father, in total prostration to him, God forgives us and restores us again. He floods us with the presence of his Holy Spirit, showing his infinite love and maintaining our holiness. But, the believer must be careful not to get used to sin.
In antiquity in the first centuries of Christian doctrine. Some scholars were in charge of classifying the sins within 7 deadly sins. Let us see below what is the meaning of them.
Meaning of the 7 Deadly Sins
The typification or classification of the moral faults encompassed in capital sins has clearly passed throughout history. In addition, the original idea of the deadly sins has undergone certain modifications, in terms of what each one of them includes. These variations are understandable since in the Bible, these sins are not specifically typified as "Capitals".
In the primitive doctrine of Christianity, the learned writers of the time classified moral faults into eight deadly sins. All of them priests or monks of the Catholic religion, these writers were:
- Cyprian of Carthage, (200 – 258 AD Christ, Carthage – Tunisia)
- John Cassian of Romania, (around 360/365 – 435 AD Christ,). Priest, ascetic and Father of the Church.
- Columbanus de Luxeuil of Ireland, (540 – 615 AD Christ)
- Alcuin of York, (about 735 – 804 AD Christ)
Of the eight, 7 deadly sins are reached, during the sixth century. When Pope Gregory the Great (Rome, approx. 540 – 604 AD of Christ), he made official the 7 deadly sins composed of:
- Pride
- Greed
- Gluttony
- Lust
- Laziness
- The envy
- The wrath
The list made official by Pope Gregory the Great was maintained by the theologians and religious scholars of the Middle Ages.
The word capital is derived from the Latin root Caput, Capitis, which means head. That is to say that each of the 7 capital sins, head a list of other sins. The term Capital given to the classification of sins, then assigns a serious connotation to morality and the spiritual. Because each of these seven lead the human being to commit a list of other sins.
The evolution of the list of the 7 Deadly Sins
As mentioned above, the classification of sins in a list considered capital, does not appear as such in the Bible. So it is a list created and made up by man according to the analysis of what human morality is. This means that the list of deadly sins has undergone some changes over time. Let's look at some of the most significant below.
The eight evil vices prior to the 7 Deadly Sins
The Roman cleric and writer, Bishop of Carthage Tascio Cecilio Cipriano, was a martyr of the Christian Church (200–258 AD). As well as a noted author of Christianity, he was one of the first to write about seven major sins.
Later the Roman monk and Christian ascetic Evagrius Ponticus (345-399) nicknamed The Solitaire; he wrote in Greek a text on the Eight Evil Vices. Referring to the improper passions with which the entire congregation of Catholic monks should especially protect themselves. Evagrius in turn classified the eight evil vices or passions into two groups according to their nature:
- Concupiscible vices or vices that induce the desire for possession:
- Gluttony
- Drunkenness – Greek gastrimargia, for gluttony and drunkenness
- Greed – in Greek philarguria, which means the love of silver
- Lust – porneia, which means desire or love of the flesh
- Irascible or choleric vices, vices that are also shortcomings, deprivations and/or frustrations:
- Anger – in Greek orgè, which means thoughtless anger, cruelty, violence
- Sloth – in Greek acedia, which means deep depression, hopelessness
- Sadness – in Greek Lúpê, which is sadness
- Pride – in Greek uperèphania, which is pride, arrogance, haughtiness
in the fifth century
In the fifth century after Christ the ascetic Romanian priest, John Cassian (360/365-435), also considered the father of the Catholic Church. He updated and propagated the list of deadly sins proposed by the Catholic monk Evagrius. Said list was captured in his writings “Institutiones: de octo principalibus vitiis” or “Institutions: The Eight Principal Vices”.
- Gluttony and drunkenness, both grouped in the Greek term gastrimargia. Since Cassian did not find a Latin word that meant both sins at the same time
- Greed, philarguria love towards silver
- Lust, in Latin fornicatio which means prostitution
- Vainglory or cenodoxy
- Wrath, wrath meaning thoughtless anger, cruelty, violence
- Sloth, heartburn meaning deep depression, hopelessness
- Pride, from the Latin superbia, attributed to the desire to be preferred by others, the satisfaction of one's own vanity, of the ego
- Sadness, Lúpe
Casiano after being ordained a priest in Rome, established the Abbey of San Victor de Marseille. To whom he destined his writings, where he exposed the obligations that the Catholic monk had to fulfill. In the same way, this priest talked about how the life of the monks should be. He promulgated the eremitical monastic life, indicating that asceticism or austerity was the best way to eradicate sin. The following writings and authors maintained the idea of the eight main vices:
- Columbanus of Lexehuil (540-615), wrote: Instructio de octo vitiis principalibus or Instructions on the Eight Principal Vices in the Bible
- Alcuin of York (735-804), wrote De virtut. et vitiis or the virtues and vices
In the 7th century – the XNUMX Deadly Sins, Pope Gregory's list
For the sixth century the then Pope of the Roman Catholic Church Gregory the Great writes his book Mor. in Job. Where he reviews the treatises of Evagrius and Cassian on the eight main vices. From the review, Pope Gregory draws up a definitive list, changing the order and taking it from eight vices to 7 deadly sins. This author considered that sadness was a type of laziness. The list of deadly sins established by Gregory the Great was:
- Lust
- Wrath
- Pride
- Envy
- Avarice
- Laziness
- Gluttony
Later in the 1218th century, San Buenaventura de Fidanza (1274-1225), maintained Gregory's list. Later in the same century, the cleric Thomas Aquinas (1274-7), confirmed the same list although he modified the order of the XNUMX deadly sins proposed by Pope Gregory:
- - Vainglory or arrogance
- -Avarice
- - Gluttony or gluttony
- -Lust
- -Laziness
- -Envy
- -Go to
Various later interpretations of conservative theologians, especially of the Protestant Reformation of Christianity and the Christian movement of Pentecost. They have postulated terrible consequences for people who commit these capital sins, and do not have a true sense of repentance.
Which are the 7 capital sins?
The 7 deadly sins concern the categorization of immoralities or carnal desires of man; according to the moral teachings of Christian doctrine. These immoralities are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, anger, and pride or arrogance. The epithet of capitals that they receive is because they are considered the root or the head of many other sins.
That is to say that the person's craving or urgency for these sins means that in order to satisfy them he does not mind committing other sins. With the serious consequence of the loss of one's own morality, as well as that of those people who may be the obstacles or victims of exercising their human will.
While it is true that the Bible does not list the 7 deadly sins in a specific order. It is also true that each of them appears throughout his writings. In addition to telling us about them, he also encourages us to beat them. Let's see next the definition and what the Bible tells us to overcome the 7 deadly sins.
Lust
The term lust comes from the Latin word luxuria whose concordance is abundance, excess, exuberance. Considered therefore as the excessive and compulsive thinking of men due to their sexual nature. In the same way it can be defined as the uncontrollable and disordered sexual appetite on the part of the individual. Lust is a vice or addiction to unrestrained sexual activities.
So it can drag with it sins such as adultery and rape. Both included therefore within the capital of lust. Like so many other sins that produce a degeneration of the moral values of the individual. For its part, the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy has these two definitions for lust:
Vice consisting of the illicit use or inordinate appetite for carnal delights
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Excess or too much in some things
In conclusion, lust is the excessive appetite for carnal delights that leads to a lack of sexual morality. Achieving sexual satisfaction in an impetuous and disturbed way.
What the Bible says about Lust and how to overcome it
Before seeing how we can overcome our own carnal passions. It helps to know what the Bible, the instruction manual for Christians, says about lust. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV):
18 Do not have prohibited sexual relations. That sin does more harm to the body than any other sin. 19 Your body is like a temple, and in that temple lives the Holy Spirit that God has given you. You are not your own owners. 20 When God saved you, he actually bought you, and the price he paid for you was very high. That is why they must dedicate their body to honor and please God
As can be seen very clearly, from the moment Christ enters our lives. He comes to live in our body, which becomes a temple and abode of the living God. Therefore, attacking our body is attacking God.
Christ through his Holy Spirit begins to transform his dwelling with what pleases him. And taking out or discarding what he doesn't like. This transformation is manifested by showing Jesus in all our actions. We realize that we no longer act or think in the same way.
If we belong to Christ, we really take care of our body with respect, as well as that of others. Because we recognize that we do not belong to ourselves, because he bought us. Paying a very high price, his own blood.
It means then, that we must reject everything that displeases God. This is achieved by letting the Holy Spirit direct and control our body. Let us glorify God with our thoughts and actions.
Gluttony
The term gluttony is a Latin word that means throat, going on to have the meaning of voracity, gluttony, hunger, craving, etc. It is also related to the Latin root word gluttiere, which means to swallow. This sin is the excessive desire to eat and drink excessively. Gluttony also includes certain behaviors that threaten the health of the body, such as addictions and other physical disorders. Drunkenness, drug use, etc. fall into the sin of gluttony. The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy defines gluttony as:
Excessive eating or drinking, and disordered appetite for eating and drinking
Gluttony has no economic limits nor does it stop to think about the deterioration that it may cause in the health of the physical body and in the relationships of people with society. It is a vice that leads to reckless, voracious eating or drinking, thereby achieving serious physical and social consequences.
What the Bible Says About Gluttony and How to Overcome It
In one of the books of the wisdom of God in the Bible, in the book of Proverbs specifically. We find an exhortation from God for us to stay away from gluttony and those who commit it. Proverbs 23:19-21, God Speaks Today version
19 Listen well, my son, and learn; try to follow the right path. 20 Do not associate with drunkards or those who eat too much, 21 for drunkards and gluttons end up ruined, and the lazy wear rags
Here God clearly tells us that the sin of gluttony leads us to a state of personal ruin. And it is that gluttony harms our economy, physical health and relationships with others. Many people turn to food and drink to quench anxiety states that arise as a result of emotional conflicts. This path greatly displeases God and leads us away from him. Let us then seek to resolve our anxieties or states of anguish by satisfying ourselves with the word of God. Let us not seek to provide for the desires of the flesh, but rather let us feed the Spirit. Romans 13:13-14 (KJV 1960)
13 Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in gluttony and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lewdness, not in strife and envy, 14 but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not provide for the desires of the flesh.
Avarice
Avarice word that comes from the Latin avaritia which means greed. This sin contains an excessive appetite for possession, but for material goods. To achieve these material riches, the individual with desires of greed does not mind incurring other sins. Just as he does not stop to think about the damage he may cause to other people who are or are not in his social and family environment. The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy defines greed as:
Excessive desire to possess and acquire wealth to hoard
To the above definition could be added the willingness of the greedy individual to avail himself, if necessary, of bribes, acts of corruption, etc. In order to carry out any illicit action in order to obtain material goods or wealth. Greed is a sin that triggers many others such as: betrayal, deceit, theft, assault or violence, compulsive accumulation of objects, corruption, infidelity or disloyalty, bribery, etc.
What the Bible says about Greed and how to overcome it
In the place we put our heart, there will be our treasure. If we love money or treasure material goods as very precious things, we stop loving God. The Lord does not tell us that money or material riches are bad, not at all. He only tells us that God must be above all things, Matthew 6: 31-33. Furthermore, we cannot serve two Lords, because the time may come to commit disloyalty with one by serving the other. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:24 (NIV):
24 “No slave can work for two masters at the same time, because he will always obey or love one more than the other. Similarly, you cannot serve God and wealth at the same time.
We must have faith in God ; He is our one and only excellent provider of everything we could possibly need in life. Greed can take root in our hearts when we diminish our communion with God.
We can overcome the sin of greed by thanking God for his daily provision. Which will always be enough to maintain joy and peace, as well as to be grateful to our heavenly Father. Let us be happy with what we have, so as not to fall into temptation or be slaves to the desire for riches, 1 Timothy 6:8-10 (NIV)
8 So we should be glad that we have clothes and food. 9 But those who think only of being rich fall into Satan's traps. They are tempted to do foolish and harmful things, which end up totally destroying them. 10 Because all evil begins when you only think about money. Because of the desire to pile it up, many forgot to obey God and ended up having many problems and sufferings.
Laziness
Laziness from the Latin acedia, accidia, or pigritia is the refusal of the human being to execute his responsibilities or to carry out the activities of his existence. It also has a connotation in the spiritual sense, to the individual being discouraged from carrying out the responsibilities and activities that God demands for his life. Laziness leads to depression, sadness, idleness, isolation, discouragement, among other sins.
All these states of mind in the individual, separate him from society, from God and from the church. Since laziness can cause the individual to voluntarily keep in his heart reluctance, apathy, aversion or disgust for the things of God, of himself, as well as of society. The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy has two definitions for laziness:
1 Negligence, boredom or carelessness in the things to which we are obliged. 2 Slackness, carelessness or delay in actions or movements.
What the Bible says about Sloth and how to overcome it
An apathetic or lazy being stops feeling the desire to relate both physically and emotionally with others. Since he only gets well by lounging, in leisure or rest, he therefore stays away from any physical activity. In the spiritual sense in the things of God, laziness makes the believer careless, alienating him from fellowship with the creator. The word of God about laziness, tells us in Proverbs 6:9-11 (TLA)
9 Lazy young man, how much longer will you sleep? When will you wake up? 10 You fall asleep a little, you take a nap, you take a little break and you cross your arms... 11 This is how you will end up in the most terrible poverty!
God has endowed us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit , with talents and abilities, which we should use to support ourselves and our families. These gifts, talents, and abilities should also be used for the good works God prepared beforehand for us, Ephesians 2:10 (NBLA).
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do.
We must then be ready to manifest, contribute and use those skills that God has given us. It is a way to honor, serve, praise and show gratitude to God for creation. Romans 12:11-12 (NIV)
11 Work hard, and do not be lazy. Work for God with great enthusiasm. 12 While you wait for the Lord, be cheerful; when you suffer for the Lord, be patient; when you pray to the Lord, be constant.
The wrath
Anger is an emotion that if not controlled can cause anger; and encourage the individual to commit acts of cruelty or violence with himself or with other people. This feeling is capable of blinding understanding, and can lead to impatience and, in a more serious case, to committing a crime or homicide.
What the Bible Says About Anger and How to Overcome It
The Bible admits that the believer can feel anger. As long as we do not allow ourselves to be blinded by it, so as not to give the devil an opportunity to tempt us to sin. In Ephesians 4:26-27 and Psalm 4:4, in the God's Word for All version:
26 “Do not let anger cause you to commit sins”; that the night does not surprise them angry. 27 Do not give the devil a chance to defeat you
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4 Tremble and stop sinning. When you go to sleep, think about what bothers you so much and keep quiet.
God instructs us in these words that anger has a level of anger as far as it is acceptable. Past that limit, anger becomes sin, giving way to the devil to exert his influence. James 1:19-20 (PDPT)
19 Remember this, dear brothers: be more willing to listen than to speak. Don't get angry easily. 20 He who lives angry cannot live as God intended
If we give anger the authority to take control of the situation, we distance ourselves from the presence and anointing of God. Because we stopped trusting Him to trust our own reasoning. Taking the justice that only belongs to God. We must therefore leave everything in the hands of God, do what is good and pleasing in his eyes, Romans 12: 19-21:
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but rather, give place to the wrath of God, because it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will pay, says the Lord. 20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; and if he is thirsty, give him a drink, because by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (LBLA)
Envy
Envy is the unhealthy feeling in the individual of wanting to possess what others possess. It also represents discontent in the face of another's joy or well-being in the face of another's misfortune. Envy then is not only the desire to want to have what others may have, but also to wish that the other does not have or possess any kind of good. Carrying with this the implicit desire to yearn for the evil of others. The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy has the following definition for envy:
1 Sadness or sorrow for the good of others. 2. Emulation, desire for something that is not possessed.
What does the Bible say about envy and how to overcome it
The word of God tells us that envy brings with it feelings of disagreement, disappointment, sadness. As well as actions of disputes, discrepancies, disagreements, etc. In James 3:14-16, in the Current Language Translation version, you can read:
14 But if you do everything out of envy or jealousy, you will live sad and bitter; they will have nothing to be proud of, and they will be untrue. 15 Because that wisdom does not come from God, but is from this world and from the devil, 16 and it produces jealousy, fights, problems and all kinds of evil
The believer is often tempted by envy when seeing others being taken into account for the service of the Lord's work. Keeping in his heart a grudge at feeling ignored by the leaders of the church. This is a way for the devil to sow the seeds of envy, discord and jealousy within the church or body of Jesus Christ.
As believers, we need to be vigilant and firm in the Lord so as not to fall into the trap of the hunter. We must see the growth of the brother in the church from the love of God, see each one of us as a part of the body of the church. And that if one prospers the other will also do so in God's time. This is only achieved with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, in this way we can enjoy the achievements of others. In Romans 12:15, the word tells us how to act between brothers:
15 If anyone is joyful, rejoice with him; if someone is sad, accompany him in his sadness (TLA)
Pride
Pride is excessive esteem and undue love for oneself. It is the intense search for attention and honor to the person's ego. This sin is considered the greatest of all capital sins. It was the sin that caused the fall of the cherub of God, the star turned into satan. Who in his great act of pride wanted to be like God.
In the same way, pride is the most difficult sin to bring down, because it easily hides behind the facet of false humility. Pride is the source of all other sins along with those that derive from each of them.
What the Bible Says About Pride and How to Overcome It
The Bible clearly tells us that God hates arrogance or pride. It also tells us that the fruit of this sin is destruction. Proverbs 16:18 (KJV 1960)
18 Pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is therefore a sin that destroys friendships, families and destroys our communion with God. Pride is overcome with an attitude of humility, of appreciation for those around us. Psalms 138:6 (PDT)
6 The LORD occupies the highest place above all others, yet he never abandons the lowly. He always knows what the proud are doing and stays away from them
The greatest and most sublime example of humility for all people is Christ Jesus. He is the model to imitate, not only to overcome the sin of pride but sin in general. We invite you to read here about the biblical meaning of humility.