Preface
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
– Matthew 7:3
I know we’re excited, but, before we dig in, I preface these posts with this reminder: we all fall short of the glory of God. That statement can either condemn you for never being worthy or set you free because God loves you just the way you are. Let it liberate you. Let it liberate you from your own self-condemnation, but also let it liberate you of the urge to condemn others. We’re all in the same boat; would you rather yell at the sailor next to you or bail the water spouting in from the leak at your foot?
I urge you to take these thoughts to prayer. If the Spirit moves you, comment here, ask me something, or talk it over with a trusted friend or spiritual director. I’m interested to hear (or read) what you have to say, and I’m hoping this series will inspire a little introspection and hope. Why hope? (I’m glad you asked, dear reader!) Because knowing there is a treatment for a disease is reason for hope, and we have treatments and a cure waiting for us if we so choose to accept them. Blessed be God forever!
Introduction: Sins, Virtues, and the Investigative Game Plan
Are you interested in the fight between good and evil in the world today? The concept we’re exploring first: sins and virtues. Between now (All Hallows week) and Christmas, we’re going to delve into the seven deadly sins and the virtues that triumph over them.
Have you heard of the seven deadly sins? Pope Gregory wrote about them in the year 590 (AD). The seven deadly sins are lust, gluttony, sloth, pride, wrath, envy, and greed. There are also seven theological virtues, each one protecting against the temptation from one of the seven deadly sins. In the order of the above-referenced list, the seven theological virtues are chastity, temperance, diligence, humility, patience, kindness, and charity.
The seven virtues may also reference the seven cardinal virtues. The cardinal virtues somewhat parallel the theological virtues: prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice, faith, hope, and love. Below, find a chart of the seven deadly sins, the theological virtues which protect against them, and the parallel cardinal virtue.
| Sin | Theological Virtue | Cardinal Virtue |
| Lust | Chastity | Prudence |
| Gluttony | Temperance | Temperance |
| Sloth | Diligence | Fortitude |
| Pride | Humility | Justice |
| Wrath | Patience | Faith |
| Envy | Kindness | Hope |
| Greed | Charity | Love |
Have I whet your appetite? I’m thrilled to jump into this. The deadly sins? Interesting. The heroic virtues? Count me in! This is going to be awesome, and I have hope that you will enjoy the adventure with me.
