“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
General Reflections:
The Bible does not specifically mention these as the seven deadly sins. They are mentioned by different names in the Bible as: Pride, Avarice (greed), envy, wrath (anger), lust, gluttony and sloth.
· Pride: an excessive love of self or the desire to be better or more important than
others.
· Greed (avarice): the desire for and love of possessions, perverse attachment to
material things.
· Envy: sadness or desire for the possessions, happiness, talents or abilities of another. It
can lead to the worst crime.
· Anger (wrath): uncontrolled feelings of hatred or rage, a desire for revenge.
· Lust: an intense desire, usually for sexual pleasure, but also for money, power or fame.
· Gluttony: overconsumption, usually of food or drink.
· Sloth: physical laziness, also disinterest in spiritual matters or neglecting spiritual
growth.
The Bible teaches us that these deadly sins are attitudes and behaviours that oppose God’s will and therefore damage our relationship with Him. These sins can drive us away from God and make us deserving of His judgment. However, the Bible also assures us that God is merciful and offers forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ for those who repent of their sins. As Catholics, we do this by confessing our sins to a priest who gives us the absolution for our sins.
Overcoming these seven deadly sins through self-reflection and embracing positive behaviours is essential for our salvation. Overcoming them will liberate us from other emotions like unhappiness, unforgiveness, guilt and feeling of unworthiness.
To overcome the seven deadly sins, we need to apply the seven heavenly virtues according to our Christian tradition. The seven heavenly virtues are: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility. These seven heavenly virtues are the antidotes against the seven deadly sins.
Virtues Sins
Humility vs Pride
Charity vs Greed
Kindness vs Envy
Patience vs Anger
Chastity vs Lust
Temperance vs Gluttony
Diligence vs Sloth
Personal Reflections:
Among the above seven deadly sins, which ones can you relate to in your life and to what extent?
Discuss these seven deadly sins one by one and reflect on how each of them has a control over you; the way you talk and behave privately or publicly.
Discuss the seven heavenly virtues and reflect on how you apply each one as antidote against each of the seven deadly sins that has control over you.
Prayer for protection from the Seven Deadly Sins:
“Come, Holy Spirit take your rightful place in my heart and in my life. Come and set me free from deadly sins. I plead that may the precious blood of Jesus cleanse me from these sins and break every hold the enemy has in me, in the most Holy name of Jesus”. Amen!
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