Listen: 74 Question 1

What is called the seven deadly sins is not mentioned that way in the Bible.  What is commonly recognized as the seven deadly sins is: pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and slothfulness.  Historically, it is understood this list was first compiled by Pope Gregory I around 600 AD.

While each one of these seven acts is considered to be sinful in the scriptures, there is nothing to indicate that they are deadly.  I’m not quite sure of the premise behind the saying that says that they are deadly.  Perhaps the thought is that through over-indulgence of any of these sins that death would occur.  Of course, there is forgiveness for any sin through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as we read in Colossians 1:12-14, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

Let’s look at each one of these so-called deadly sins and see what the Word of God has to say about each one.

  • PRIDE– Proverbs 16:5 says, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.”
  • COVETOUSNESS – Ephesians 5:3 says, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.”
  • LUST – Matthew 5:27-28 says, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
  • ANGER – Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
  • GLUTTONY – Proverbs 23:21 says, “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
  • ENVY – Proverbs 14:30 says, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
  • SLOTHFULNESS – Proverbs 21:25 says, “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.”

So, we can see that the Word of God condemns each of these sins.  We do well to be before the Lord, seeking His strength that we do not sin.  Of course, there are many, many more things that the Bible points out as sins.  There is one particular deadly sin that I would like to address.  It is found in Hebrews 2:3 which asks the question, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”  This verse addresses those that have heard the precious Gospel of eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  How, indeed, can anyone escape the righteous judgment of God after hearing of God’s wondrous mercy and grace, and yet should neglect, or make light, of His salvation.

In Acts, chapter 17, the Apostle Paul was speaking to a group of people in Athens concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  In Acts 17:32 we read, “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.”  Some openly rejected and mocked the truth of the resurrection of the Lord, but some neglected this good news and responded that they would listen some other time.  Felix, the governor of Judaea, gave a similar response to Paul in Acts 24:25, where we read, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”  Felix also neglected this great salvation.  We never read that he called again for Paul to tell him of the Lord Jesus.  We read in Ezekiel 3:19, “Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity…”

My dear friend, there is absolutely no need for you to die in your iniquity, or sin.  At this point, you actually have three choices.  You can reject God’s free gift of salvation.  You can neglect His great salvation; or you can accept the gift of eternal life by putting your faith, or trust, in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”