The seven deadly sins, including pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust, were defined by the Catholic Church as mortal sins that could lead to eternal damnation. Each sin was associated with a demon and specific punishments in hell. The sins contrast with the seven virtues, including chastity, meekness, charity, humility, diligence, temperance, and kindness.
The seven deadly sins, often shown in daunting capital letters, are sins defined by the early Catholic Church as mortal or cardinal sins. As such, committing one was, and still is for some people, a one-way ticket to eternal damnation, should a person die without the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
These sins are much more significant than other small sins one might commit, called venial sins. It was thought that minor sins do not block the way to heaven if one dies without the benefit of having confessed. However, the seven deadly sins were a sure impediment without true repentance and forgiveness. They damaged the soul and were a significant affront to God.
The seven deadly sins are pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony and lust. Each of them also came to be associated with a certain demon. For example, pride and anger were associated with Satan, greed with Mammon, and lust with Asmodeus. Leviathan was associated with envy, Belphegor with laziness and Beelzebub with gluttony. To many, the demon world was very real, and demons were thought to specifically tempt people to deviate from God’s path.
There were also punishments in hell attributed to each of the sins. First, according to Dante, is that committing one of the seven deadly sins meant never being able to escape hell or see the face of God. In fact, the agony in this permanent separation from God was the highest punishment.
Later, theologians tried to determine exactly what one would suffer for committing one of the seven deadly sins. Thus, for example, a person who was proud was broken on the wheel, the envious were put into ice water, the angry were dismembered, and the slothful were thrown into pits filled with snakes. Sweet tooths were boiled in oil, and sweet tooths had to eat toads. Those who were lustful, such as engaging in adultery or unapproved sexual behavior, would be buried in fire and brimstone.
Each of the seven deadly sins contrasts specifically with the seven virtues. Instead of lust, one should practice chastity. Wrath or anger are opposed to meekness or composure. The greedy should instead be charitable, and humility helps to overcome pride. Sloth or idleness is opposed to diligence or zeal for work, and gluttony is opposed to temperance. Envy should be suppressed by kindness or admiration of the gifts and abilities of others.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
