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Bible Q

What are the seven deadly sins?

Answered by . November 14, 2009 - 11:06 pm

Traditionally the seven deadly sins are:

  1. Lust
  2. Gluttony
  3. Avarice
  4. Sloth
  5. Anger
  6. Envy
  7. Pride

The list was developed over time from the 4th to the 6th century AD. The list is not found directly in the Bible; lists of “deadly sins” are generally much longer in the Bible — see, for example, the following lists of sins and sinful characteristics:

Proverbs 6:16-19 1 Cor. 6:9-10 Gal. 5:19-21
1. haughty eyes sexually immorality sexual immorality
2. a lying tongue idolatry impurity
3. and hands that shed innocent blood adultery sensuality
4. a heart that devises wicked plans practising homosexuality idolatry
5. feet that make haste to run to evil theft sorcery
6. a false witness who breathes out lies greed enmity
7. and one who sows discord among brothers drunkenness strife
8. revelry jealousy
9. swindling fits of anger
10. rivalries
11. dissensions
12. divisions
13. envy
14. drunkenness
15. orgies
16. and things like these

These are all things that ‘the Lord hates’ (Prov. 6:16) and that will keep us out of the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:21), and the list is much longer than the traditional seven deadly sins. In fact, notice that Gal. 5:21 says that the list should continue! Not only the things listed above, but ‘things like these’ will keep us from the kingdom.

Really, all sins should be listed as ‘deadly’ because all sins (no matter how “small” they might be) lead to death:

…the wages of sin is death… (Rom. 6:23)

Thankfully, though, if we repent and have faith in God then God will forgive us of all our sins (no matter how “big” they might be; 1John 1:9); as the apostle Paul says:

{9} 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, {10} nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. {11} 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 our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)

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References:

Wikipedia article: Seven deadly sins

University of Leicester: Seven Deadly Sins FAQ

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