Though the term “7 deadly sins” is not found in the Bible, many biblical passages discuss sin and its cost, and can be interpreted to include the 7 deadly sins. Pride, Greed, Lust, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy, and Sloth are the most serious and destructive of human sins and are distinctly identified in the Bible.
Pride, a feeling of superiority, is evidenced in Isaiah 2:12-15, where the people had a distorted and unrealistic view of their own power and importance. Greed is seen in Luke 12:15, where the rich farmer is warned of the danger of trusting in riches and depending on possessions. Lust is described in Romans 1:24-27, as a result of people rejecting God and acting on their sinful passions. Wrath, or uncontrolled anger, is a major theme in Proverbs 25:28, “One who lacks self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Gluttony and Envy are discussed in Proverbs 23:19-21, where an unhealthy craving for pleasure combined with jealousy of the wealthy, invites destruction. Finally, Sloth is discussed throughout the Bible, showing the importance of diligently seeking things that are good and from God.
The Bible passage most connected to the 7 deadly sins is Romans 6:12-14, where Paul explains that avoiding these kinds of sin is an important part of enabling ourselves to follow Jesus. He compares sin to slavery and Jesus to liberation. He reminds readers that Jesus can make them free to do the right things that God wants. This is why Paul calls us to “offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourselves to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
God’s Solution to Sin
In order for us to get rid of the 7 deadly sins from our lives, God offers us the solution of repentance. Repentance means to turn away from sin, to turn away from the 7 sins that plague us and to hold ourselves accountable for our own decisions. The Bible shows us that repentance is an essential aspect of Christianity, as Jesus himself said that “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13: 3). For a Christian to repent is to realize that one has sinned, confess the sins and ask for forgiveness.
Once this process is done, the Christian is then commanded by God to live a new life that is directed by Him. This can be done by actively trying to do what is right, avoiding that which is wrong, and making sure no sin is repeated. The Bible also encourages us to seek accountability from a spiritual mentor or community, so that we do not fall back into temptation. This is why Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
We are all capable of sinning, and God knows this and offers us a way out of these destructive patterns. Repentance is the cornerstone of Christian faith, and it is through turning away from the 7 deadly sins that we can start down the path of true freedom.
God’s Love and Mercy
The wonderful thing about God is that even in our sin, He still loves us and offers us mercy. Regardless of our sins or how often we fail Him, He will never fail us. He promises us in Deuteronomy 7:9 that even though we can’t always keep ourselves from sinning, He will always be faithful to us and forgive us when we turn away from those sins.
As God’s people, Redemption is the ultimate hope—the thing that sets us free from all sin, including the 7 deadly sins. But just as God made it possible for all of us to be redeemed, He also gave us the power to accept or reject His gift. While He offers us mercy, He also expects us to take full responsibility for our actions. This is why it is so important to seek out a spiritual mentor, attend church, and do whatever else we can to stay away from the 7 sins, so that we can fully enjoy all of the freedom He has to offer us.
The Difference Between a Sin and a Deadly Sin
While all sins are wrong, there is a major difference between an ordinary sin and a deadly sin. A deadly sin is an action that is considered more serious than others. It is no more wrong than any other sin, but it can have a more significant and lasting impact. Deadly sins lead to destructive patterns and can cause deep and lasting damage to a person’s life and overall wellbeing.
The 7 deadly sins are so named because when not repented of and corrected, these sins can lead to other kinds of sins and sinful behavior. These sins become more powerful and damaging as time goes on. The best way to combat the 7 deadly sins is to recognize them, and to turn away from them in repentance.
Promoting Holiness Through Prayer and the Word of God
The Bible is filled with teachings to us on how we can fight the devil and promote holiness in our lives. We are called to help each other to stay away from sin and to stay on the right path. In Proverbs 25:26 it says, “like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” This teaches us that no matter how well-meaning we are, if we give into temptation we will become polluted like a fountain.
It is for this reason that we must put forth great effort in our daily lives to stay away from sin. One of the best ways to do this is by praying for strength and purity. Prayer is a great form of spiritual warfare and is a powerful tool that can help us combat the 7 deadly sins. We are also instructed in Romans 12:1-2 to renew our minds, and fill ourselves in order to make good decisions. We can do this by immersing ourselves in the Word of God, allowing God’s divine will to manifest in our lives.
Establishing Boundaries to Further Avoid Temptation
It is essential to establish boundaries in order to stay away from the 7 deadly sins. God’s wisdom can help us create a standard of morality that can keep us on a biblical path. Boundaries in certain areas of life can be a positive reinforcement to living a life of holiness. For example, avoiding online dating or questionable places that may lead to assault or sexual immorality. Even if one feels the temptations of sin, avoiding the source altogether still makes it easier to stand up against the temptation.
God always guides and gives us strength to overcome any obstacles. In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Paul tells us to “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” We rely on God’s strength to be brave and strong enough to reject the evil that tempt us, and whatever we do, to do it with love.
Rejecting the Sins and Embracing the Good
It is only through God’s guidance and the Holy Spirit that we are able to resist the temptations around us. As stated in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The desires of the flesh are the seven deadly sins that can be our downfall, but the Spirit will always help us to guard our hearts and reject them.
Whenever we face temptation, we must also be intentional to replace it with something good. This can be done by “filling ourselves up” with good things like the word of God, good music, fellowship, or fun activities. This is a great way to fight off sin, as Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Conclusion
The Seven Deadly Sins are discussed throughout the Bible and are a warning to us of their destructive power. But if we stay focused on God and seek accountability through spiritual leaders and mentors, we can avoid these sins and live a life filled with the peace and joy that God has promised us.
