So here are the 7 deadly sins recognized by the Roman Catholic Church....it might be challenging to see if any of these influence our individual lives!
1. LUST ("luxuria"in Latin meaning carnal). Simply put, it means an intense desire. Lust is usually associated with sexual wants, but in its original use it does simply point to wrong desires. Lust can go far beyond sexual gratification and establish warped desires for money, for fame, and for power.
2. GLUTTONY ("gula" in Latin meaning to "gulp down"). This word implies to over-indulge or to be over consumed with something. Gluttony will take you far beyond the point of need and continue to pursue the thought of taking in all you possibly can. Although gluttony is associated with eating too much, gluttony can be included with acts of selfishness and putting you own personal needs and wants over the needs of others.
Thomas Aquinas, the great theologian of the Roman Catholic Church, expanded on the idea of the sin of gluttony in relation to strictly eating, and noted the following: "If you find yourself eating too soon, eating only expensive treats, eating too much, eating with too much eagerness, eating only what you want, or eating with no common sense...then you have found yourself...under the sin of gluttony."
3. GREED ( "avarito" in Latin meaning avarice). Here again lies another sin of selfish excess. Greed is often depicted with an intense desire to attain material possessions. Greed can escort you to other sins simply because of your personal want(s) to have more. These other sins can and may lead you to becoming disloyal, acts of betrayal, and even treason of others you live with...all because of vain pursuit for personal gain. Other sins that can reach prominence are hoarding, theft, and robbery, and then violence, trickery, and manipulation all enter through the door we call...Greed.
4. SLOTH ("socordia" in Latin meaning lazy). This particular sin is often associated with physical laziness...yet spiritual laziness is just as much a part of it. In fact, failing to attend to your spiritual development can lead to a "monster of a sin"...the rejection of God's Grace...in your very own life. Sloth or laziness can also be simply a failure to act...to allow evil to have it's way and simply ignore the damaging consequences. Another view on sloth is the failure to utilize the talents and gifts the Lord has given...to each of us.
5. WRATH ("ira" in Latin meaning rage). When anger reaches an uncontrollable state, often times feelings of hatred arise, which can be followed by acts of violence and ultimately self-destruction. Impatience finds its opening here, as well as revenge and even acts of vigilantism.
Wrath is very much a selfish sin, and runs kindred to jealousy and envy. The ultimate goal of this dark and evil sin known as wrath is....suicide...the final defiant act of God's Grace to the giving of life itself. Wrath only enrages an inner expression of tragic and bitter hatred that is built up in one's own heart.
6. ENVY ("invidia" in Latin meaning to desire). Envy involves not only a desire, but an almost uncontrollable and insatiable desire for something or someone. Envy is closely associated with jealousy...simply because when one chooses this frame of mind it usually stems from a feeling of discontent within. Envy always wants what someone else has, which runs into direct violation of one of the 10 Commandments: "Do not desire anything that belongs to your neighbor".
7. PRIDE ( "superbia" in Latin and "hubris" in Greek). This is often thought of as the #1 "bad-boy of all the 7 Deadly's, in fact, it is thought to be the very source of all the others.
There is somewhat of an ironic twist when one thinks along these lines. The excessive "love" of self leads only to contempt...and ultimately hatred.
Lucifer himself challenged God the Father because of his love for himself, to the point his hatred for God and all He stood for became his ultimate downfall. And did he ever fall!
1. LUST ("luxuria"in Latin meaning carnal). Simply put, it means an intense desire. Lust is usually associated with sexual wants, but in its original use it does simply point to wrong desires. Lust can go far beyond sexual gratification and establish warped desires for money, for fame, and for power.
2. GLUTTONY ("gula" in Latin meaning to "gulp down"). This word implies to over-indulge or to be over consumed with something. Gluttony will take you far beyond the point of need and continue to pursue the thought of taking in all you possibly can. Although gluttony is associated with eating too much, gluttony can be included with acts of selfishness and putting you own personal needs and wants over the needs of others.
5. WRATH ("ira" in Latin meaning rage). When anger reaches an uncontrollable state, often times feelings of hatred arise, which can be followed by acts of violence and ultimately self-destruction. Impatience finds its opening here, as well as revenge and even acts of vigilantism.
6. ENVY ("invidia" in Latin meaning to desire). Envy involves not only a desire, but an almost uncontrollable and insatiable desire for something or someone. Envy is closely associated with jealousy...simply because when one chooses this frame of mind it usually stems from a feeling of discontent within. Envy always wants what someone else has, which runs into direct violation of one of the 10 Commandments: "Do not desire anything that belongs to your neighbor".
7. PRIDE ( "superbia" in Latin and "hubris" in Greek). This is often thought of as the #1 "bad-boy of all the 7 Deadly's, in fact, it is thought to be the very source of all the others.
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