Seven Deadlies

Something the other day got me thinking about the movie "Se7en".  In case you aren't familiar, it's a pretty grisly film centered around the 7 deadly sins that stars Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt.

And my curiosity got to me...... trying to remember if the seven deadlies originated in the Bible.

And no they did not.

From Christianity Today:

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The seven deadly sins, as identified by Pope Gregory 1 in the late sixth century, are considered categories of sin:

1. Pride
2. Envy
3. Wrath
4. Gluttony
5. Lust
6. Sloth
7. Greed

Many think the deadly seven are recorded in the Bible. Surprisingly, even though each of the seven is a sin, this list is not contained in Scripture. The history of this sin categorization began in the year 400.

Evagrius Ponticus a fourth-century monk, described eight evils to resist. Two centuries later Pope Gregory 1, refined the inventory to seven. Almost every sin can be placed in one of these seven categories. Isaiah 14:13-14 tells us pride and selfishness are related to each of the seven and are viewed as the root causes of all sin.

7 Deadly Sins: Their Meanings and What the Bible Says

By living out godly characteristics and growing in the fruit of the Spirit, Christians can combat the seven deadly sins in their lives.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

1. Pride. Definition: the quality or state of being proud: such as inordinate self-esteem, conceit

Counterpart: Humility, meekness, love God, love others, appropriate self-worth

2. Envy. Definition: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage

Counterpart: love, joy, thankfulness, compassion, satisfaction

3. Wrath. Definition: strong vengeful anger or indignation.

Counterpart: peace, gentleness, self-control

4. Gluttony. Definition: excessive indulgence (typically food or drink)

Counterpart: self-control, contentment, patience, discernment

5. Lust. Definition: intense or unbridled (sexual) desire, lasciviousness

Counterpart: love, unselfishness

6. Sloth. Definition: disinclination to action or labor, spiritual apathy, and inactivity

Counterpart: perseverance, diligence, servanthood

7. Greed. Definition:  a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed (material goods)

Counterpart: Generosity, kindness

(http://www.christianity.com/wiki/sin/what-are-the-seven-deadly-sins.html)

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Think a little bit about how those 7 are absolutely killing society today.  The worst in my opinion:  Greed.

Greed kills kindness and generosity.  And our world needs so much of both.

Grace & Peace & Love to you all -

Matt