The 7 "Deadly's"...Part 1

You often hear the phrase, movies have been made with this phrase as a title, and people in general conversations in life have referred to it...the "7 Deadly's"...stay away from them. So, what is this all about?....the "7 Deadly's"?

 It seems to originate in the Roman Catholic Church, where sin is divided into basically 2 categories: 1) venial sins...where sins are relatively minor, and 2) mortal sins...sins that potentially can remove one form eternal security. Mortal sins involve a necessity to respond and rely on God's Mercy, and to bring about a conversion in the heart, usually through a Sacrament of Reconciliation.
 The 7 Deadly Sins, or capital sins, are basically sins that are the "ringleaders" in various categories that opens the door for all other sins. The 7 Deadly Sins have been branded as the "Original Sins", and man has been subject to all types of various temptations because of them.

 In the early 14th century, the 7 Deadly sins became a popular theme among the people, and European artists often depicted paintings and sculptures that identified with this train of thought...particularly with the Catholic culture of that time period. The word "SALIGIA" became a reminder of the 7 Deadly Sins man was upgainst. The word SALIGIA was based on the first letter of Latin words used to identify the 7 Deadly's. The words were: Superbia, Avarita, Luxuria, Invidia, Gula, Ira, and Acedia.

 The Sacred Scriptures wrote of sins that could easily beset us. Solomon, in the Book of Proverbs, mentions 7 sins the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). Now, of the sins Solomon wrote of and the 7 Deadly's the Roman Church refers to...there is only one they share in common...that would be "Pride".
 Saint Paul, later in his writings in Galatians 5:19-21 includes a "whole lot of sins" that can weigh us down for those who have accepted the call to...Follow Him! In fact, Paul went on to write that those among us who commit these sins (habitually, willingly, and with no sense of remorse), will not inherit..."the Kingdom of God". These statements made by St. Paul have sparked a series of controversies...even among Biblical scholars.

 The 7 Deadly's seemed find its place in history through the writings of a 4th century monk named Evagrius Ponticus, who actually listed 8 evil sins using a Greek format to convey his own thoughts. These 8 sins were: 1. gluttony 2. prostitution or fornication 3. avarice or greed 4. hubris or self-esteem (in the sense of promoting oneself) 5. sadness ( in the sense of envy at another's good fortune) 6. wrath 7. boasting and 8. dejection ( which in modern day could include depression.
 The Roman heirarchy then took these writings, and furthered them through a Christian monk named John Cassian, recognized in his era by both the western and eastern orthodox churches for his "mystical writings", and came up with 8 major sins that would virtually lead to all other sins. The 8 sins he wrote of included: 1. gluttony 2. fornication or lust 3. avarice or greed 4. self-pride 5. sorrow ( in the sense of despair or depression 6. wrath 7. vain glory and 8. slothful or being lazy.
 Note: I find it rather interesting how the writers during these centuries viewed "depression as a type of sin", a much different outlook than we have today.

From these 8 major sins, they were then lumped into 3 general categories:
1. Lustful appetite...these would include gluttony, fornication, and avarice (greed).
2. Irascibility...wrath
3. Intellect...these would include vain glory. sorrow(in the sense of depression or despair), self-pride, and disouragement (again, notice the emphasis on negative thought).

 In A.D. 590, Pope Gregory l, revised all these descriptions of "capital sins", and formed what we now know as......."The 7 Deadly Sins".
  So, officially...these are the 7 Deadly Sins....
1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Laziness (Sloth)
5. Wrath
6. Envy
7. Pride
 Under these 7 major categories, comes all the other sins that hinder us from following Him. Kind of an umbrella effect. At least the Roman Church seems to advocate this type of thought...