Vice And VirtueSample

Many people have heard of The Seven Deadly Sins, Capital Sins, or Seven Vices and Virtues, but unless they were raised in high church traditions, they only have a vague idea as to what these mean.

Are they offenses that can’t be forgiven? Or sins worse than others. Benign misdemeanors?

Not at all! The concept of the Seven Deadly Sins was developed by Thomas Aquinas and other Church Fathers to describe particularly dangerous vices. These sins aren’t more evil than others but were considered so captivating that they would entangle victims in even more sin, creating an almost inescapable web.

These vices appear in Scripture as Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.

Most people don’t know that the Church Fathers also noticed in Scripture an emerging list of seven virtues. These were practices so full of Kingdom-giving life, that they specifically combated and defeated the vices.

The Seven Holy Virtues are Faith, Hope, Charity (agape love), Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice.

Part of the Church Fathers’ hope in highlighting these particulars in Scripture was to give Christians, especially those new to the faith, concrete, easily defined behaviors. Rather than the vague concept of “be good” or “don’t fall into sin,” naming a righteous intended behavior made it easier to recognize and pursue. 

This Bible Study will help us consider the sickness of our souls and to find the healing solution in resting in the Gospel of Jesus. We can learn to model, live, and walk in daily repentance so that we may grow in virtue and Christlikeness.

For Day One of this study, read through the following Scriptures. Consider sin’s deadly effects and take time to appreciate its weight and importance. But don’t get stuck in inward reflection upon your fallenness. Instead, mull over the remedy: it is the glory of God that is our healing salve. 

We invite you, as a creative supplement to this Biblical study, to read paranormal thriller Valley of the Broken  by Garden City author, Kelly Baugh. It’s the first book in a series of seven that will delve into each sin, as well as its corresponding virtue. This book focuses on Greed vs. Humility. Also, join Kelly along with 150+ of today's brightest innovators at the Make Jesus Culture Conference .