| Why Are They Called the Seven Deadly Sins? Truth Worth Living returns this week with the second installment of our series on the seven deadly sins. Before we explore pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth, we need to answer an important question: Why call any sin “deadly”? Where Did the List Come From? Pope Gregory the Great compiled the traditional list of the seven deadly sins. His framework distinguished between venial sins—sins considered minor—and mortal sins, which were believed to sever a person’s relationship with God and require confession to restore it. That distinction is often connected to 1 John 5:16–17, where John speaks of “sin that leads to death” and sin that does not. But what did John mean? Was he referring to physical death, or was he establishing two categories of sin with different eternal consequences? Every Sin Is Serious Romans 6:23 tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” Every sin is serious. Scripture does not present seven sins as uniquely capable of condemning someone while all others are less significant. When John refers to sin that leads to death, the better understanding is that he is speaking of physical death—not a spiritual separation from God that only certain sins can cause. No sin is more powerful than the cross. A believer’s eternal life is secured by Jesus Christ, not by perfect behavior. If sin could strip a Christian of salvation, it would mean sin has more power than Christ’s finished work. Why Study the Seven Deadly Sins? Even though these sins cannot take away a believer’s salvation, they can still damage spiritual vitality. Pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth can quietly pull us away from the life God has called us to live. That is why they deserve our attention. They may not determine our eternal future, but they can hinder our growth, weaken our witness, and keep us from experiencing the freedom Christ has given us. The Path Back to God So what do we do when we find ourselves caught in one of these sins—or any sin? We do not need to earn our way back to God. Because Jesus is our great High Priest, we can approach Him directly. First John 1:9 gives us the promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” The path is simple: confess, receive forgiveness, and allow God to restore your spiritual vitality. Sin is serious and should never be excused. But forgiveness through Christ is real, complete, and immediately available when we come to Him honestly. Take a moment this week to reflect: Is there a sin you have been minimizing, excusing, or avoiding? Bring it to Jesus. His grace is sufficient, His forgiveness is complete, and His invitation is always open. Next week, we begin looking at the list itself—starting with the deadly and debilitating sin of pride. |
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Regert - 9.20.26 - EP2