Taken from Evagrius of Ponticus (345-399)Taken from Evagrius of Ponticus (345-399)Precursor to Gregory the Great’s Seven Deadly Precursor to Gregory the Great’s Seven Deadly

SinsSins

To Know and love GodTo Know and love GodQuestion to ask: What prevents us from Question to ask: What prevents us from

knowing God?knowing God?The way to love God is to learn to love our The way to love God is to learn to love our

neighbor.neighbor.We develop virtues that redirects our We develop virtues that redirects our

emotions and passions to that which is emotions and passions to that which is good.good.

We repent from a life oriented against We repent from a life oriented against God and learn how to see ourselves within God and learn how to see ourselves within the broader purposes of God’s lovethe broader purposes of God’s love

1.1. Eight deadly thoughts have a counter part Eight deadly thoughts have a counter part of eight godly virtuesof eight godly virtues

2.2. If we succumb to any or all of the deadly If we succumb to any or all of the deadly thoughts, we create a roadblock that makes thoughts, we create a roadblock that makes pure contemplation of God impossible.pure contemplation of God impossible.

3.3. As we learn to love our neighbor we learn As we learn to love our neighbor we learn to love God.to love God.

4.4. Each of us will be assailed by all eight Each of us will be assailed by all eight deadly thoughts at some time or another.deadly thoughts at some time or another.

5.5. Question: Question: How will we react to the How will we react to the gravitational pull of each deadly thought gravitational pull of each deadly thought when it arrives?when it arrives?

The church is raising “strong willed The church is raising “strong willed children.” children.”

Spiritual journey is about “shaping the Spiritual journey is about “shaping the will without wounding the spirit” will without wounding the spirit”

God often sends trials and tribulations to God often sends trials and tribulations to break down our rebellion and build up break down our rebellion and build up our faith and character.our faith and character.

Western culture often separates the Western culture often separates the relevance of spiritual and material relevance of spiritual and material realities, thus handicapping us in realities, thus handicapping us in developing Spiritual disciplines. developing Spiritual disciplines.

1.1. GluttonyGluttony2.2. Lust or impurityLust or impurity3.3. Greed or avariceGreed or avarice4.4. AngerAnger5.5. Melancholy or depressionMelancholy or depression6.6. Indifference or discouragementIndifference or discouragement7.7. Envy or vaingloryEnvy or vainglory8.8. PridePrideSee See Colossians 3:5 & 8; Ephesians 4:17-Colossians 3:5 & 8; Ephesians 4:17-

19,31; Galatians 5:19-21; Proverbs 6:16-19,31; Galatians 5:19-21; Proverbs 6:16-1919

1.1. Greatest concernGreatest concern: the disorienting effect : the disorienting effect of the deadly thoughts. They can throw of the deadly thoughts. They can throw us off course to our aim of pursuing life us off course to our aim of pursuing life with God.with God.

2.2. Each deadly thought arrives at a Each deadly thought arrives at a particular moment in our spiritual particular moment in our spiritual journey and its lingering spiritual effects journey and its lingering spiritual effects can last a lifetime.can last a lifetime.

3.3. Each deadly thought is interdependent Each deadly thought is interdependent with all of the rest.with all of the rest.

4.4. Although we face the deadly thoughts Although we face the deadly thoughts individually, their power is cumulative if individually, their power is cumulative if left unresolvedleft unresolved..

Ephesians 4:20-24; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:5-10Colossians 3:5-10

ObedienceObedienceJames 1:22-25James 1:22-25

1.1. Perceptions/images Perceptions/images

2.2. MemoriesMemories

3.3. Imagination Imagination

4.4. Thoughts I Pet 5:8-9Thoughts I Pet 5:8-9

Purpose:Purpose:

1.1. Blinding us to GodBlinding us to God

2.2. Darkening our soulDarkening our soul

3.3. Dull our thinkingDull our thinking

4.4. Arouse passions which dulls our Arouse passions which dulls our thinking I John 3:8-10; James 4:7-10thinking I John 3:8-10; James 4:7-10

1.1. Temperance (overcomes gluttony)Temperance (overcomes gluttony)

2.2. Chastity (overcomes lust and impurity)Chastity (overcomes lust and impurity)

3.3. Generosity (overcomes greed and avarice)Generosity (overcomes greed and avarice)

4.4. Mildness (overcomes anger)Mildness (overcomes anger)

5.5. Wisdom (overcomes melancholy and Wisdom (overcomes melancholy and depression)depression)

6.6. Diligence (overcomes indifference and Diligence (overcomes indifference and impatient discouragement)impatient discouragement)

7.7. Happiness (overcomes envy)Happiness (overcomes envy)

8.8. Humility (overcomes pride)Humility (overcomes pride)

See See Colossians 3:12-17; Galatians 5:22-24; Phil. Colossians 3:12-17; Galatians 5:22-24; Phil. 4:84:8

Community of trustCommunity of trustCommunity of vulnerabilityCommunity of vulnerabilityCommunity of accountabilityCommunity of accountabilityResults: Results: Positive Positive resolution as are resolution as are

cumulative.cumulative.Resolution at one level leads to positive Resolution at one level leads to positive

resolution at subsequent levels. resolution at subsequent levels. NegativeNegative resolution are cumulativeresolution are cumulative

Left unresolved leads to defeatLeft unresolved leads to defeat

GrahamGraham CampoloCampolo FairlieFairlie BazynBazyn

1.1. PridePride Sloth Sloth PridePridePridePride

2.2. AngerAnger Lust Lust Envy Envy EnvyEnvy

3.3. EnvyEnvy Anger Anger AngerAnger AngerAnger

4.4. LustLust Pride Pride SlothSloth AvariceAvarice

5.5. Gluttony EnvyGluttony Envy AvariceAvarice LustLust

6.6. SlothSloth Gluttony Gluttony GluttonyGluttonyGluttonyGluttony

7.7. AvariceAvarice Greed Greed LustLust SlothSloth

Animal Vices – the Irrational-InstinctiveAnimal Vices – the Irrational-InstinctiveGluttonyGluttonyAdulteryAdulteryGreedGreed

Emotional Vices Emotional Vices AngerAngerMelancholy/DepressionMelancholy/Depression

Human Vices – the Rational WillHuman Vices – the Rational WillSlothfulness/LazinessSlothfulness/LazinessVainglory/EnvyVainglory/EnvyPridePride

1.1. What is the goal of the spiritual life?What is the goal of the spiritual life?1.1. To know God and to enjoy God foreverTo know God and to enjoy God forever2.2. To be Spirit controlled and love our neighborTo be Spirit controlled and love our neighbor

2.2. What is the path to the goal?What is the path to the goal?1.1. Preparation and the purgation of vicePreparation and the purgation of vice2.2. The list of vices may differ according to The list of vices may differ according to

historyhistory

3.3. What motivates us to begin the spiritual What motivates us to begin the spiritual life?life?

1.1. Fear, remorse, guilt, confusion, loneliness, a Fear, remorse, guilt, confusion, loneliness, a desire for justice, for truth, for desire for justice, for truth, for understanding, etc.understanding, etc.

4.4. What helps us make progress in the spiritual What helps us make progress in the spiritual life? life?

1.1. Prayer, mediation on scripture, retreatsPrayer, mediation on scripture, retreats

5.5. What hinders us in making progress in the What hinders us in making progress in the spiritual life?spiritual life?

1.1. Lack of faith, flagrant sins, pride in our progressLack of faith, flagrant sins, pride in our progress

6.6. How do we measure progress?How do we measure progress?1.1. Are we maturing in our walk?Are we maturing in our walk?

7.7. What are the fruits of the Spirit?What are the fruits of the Spirit?1.1. Love, joy, peace, friendship, discernment, self-Love, joy, peace, friendship, discernment, self-

control and victory over death. See Isa 11:2; Gal control and victory over death. See Isa 11:2; Gal 5:225:22

Five interlocking parts to combat deadly Five interlocking parts to combat deadly thoughtsthoughts

1.1.Reading a passage of scripture to yourself Reading a passage of scripture to yourself aloudaloud

2.2.Meditating or thinking aloud what you Meditating or thinking aloud what you have readhave read

3.3.Praying about what has risen up in your Praying about what has risen up in your mind and heart in mediationmind and heart in mediation

4.4.Contemplation – simply resting silently in Contemplation – simply resting silently in God for a timeGod for a time

5.5.Responding in actionResponding in action

Definition:Definition: Gluttony is an inordinate desire to Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. consume more than that which one requires. Gluttony is the insatiable desire to take things in, to Gluttony is the insatiable desire to take things in, to consume, and to attempt to satisfy desire through consume, and to attempt to satisfy desire through gorging (subsistence culture vs unlimited gorging (subsistence culture vs unlimited resources). Seduces us into believing that resources). Seduces us into believing that satisfaction in life can come from sources other than satisfaction in life can come from sources other than God. Overindulgence, drunkenness and over eating.God. Overindulgence, drunkenness and over eating.

Root cause:Root cause: loss of confidence in God’s provision and loss of confidence in God’s provision and the epitome of human selfishnessthe epitome of human selfishness

Example:Example: fear of loss of a job so we compulsively fear of loss of a job so we compulsively overwork. Compensation for poor self-image. OT overwork. Compensation for poor self-image. OT examples Gen. 25examples Gen. 25

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : fasting – breaking the hold of fasting – breaking the hold of the all consuming thing (self-control). the all consuming thing (self-control).

Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Lev. 10:9; Num 6:3; Deut. 8:1-3; Lev. 10:9; Num 6:3; Deut. 8:1-3; Prov. 21:20; 25-26; 23:19-21; Dan. 1:8-20; 10:1-3; Prov. 21:20; 25-26; 23:19-21; Dan. 1:8-20; 10:1-3; Matt. 6:16-18; 16:24; I Cor. 9:27; I Tim 3:2, 11; Titus Matt. 6:16-18; 16:24; I Cor. 9:27; I Tim 3:2, 11; Titus 1:10-16; I John 3:17; 1:10-16; I John 3:17;

VirtueVirtue: : put on temperance (moderation in action, put on temperance (moderation in action, thought, or feeling: restraint. Kept or held within thought, or feeling: restraint. Kept or held within limits: not extreme or excessive). Confidence that limits: not extreme or excessive). Confidence that there will always be more to come and God will there will always be more to come and God will provide. Take only what is needed. Starve a habit and provide. Take only what is needed. Starve a habit and live a balanced life (moderation in all things)live a balanced life (moderation in all things)

Trust and a hope in a future that does not presently Trust and a hope in a future that does not presently existexist

Trust that our future needs will be met and that we do Trust that our future needs will be met and that we do not need to hoard now, so long as we follow God.not need to hoard now, so long as we follow God.

DefinitionDefinition:: Lust is an inordinate craving for the Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. Lust ruins lives. Belief in a lie pleasures of the body. Lust ruins lives. Belief in a lie that relationships are not necessary that relationships are not necessary

Root causeRoot cause: : Egocentrism and the belief that the person Egocentrism and the belief that the person after whom we lust exists only to satisfy our unbridled after whom we lust exists only to satisfy our unbridled desires. desires.

ExampleExample: : Illusion—promises satisfaction but leaves you Illusion—promises satisfaction but leaves you empty; Immaturity—unable to chose one; Denial of empty; Immaturity—unable to chose one; Denial of death—we become less attractive & desirable. Lust death—we become less attractive & desirable. Lust dehumanizes the person.dehumanizes the person.

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : Put on chastity or lovePut on chastity or love Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Deliverance; I Cor 6:15; I Cor Deliverance; I Cor 6:15; I Cor

7:25, 32-347:25, 32-34 VirtueVirtue: : Chastity works to properly balance love with the Chastity works to properly balance love with the

capacity to be loved. Chastity is found in relationship, capacity to be loved. Chastity is found in relationship, fueled by fidelity, and endures through time.fueled by fidelity, and endures through time.  

DefinitionDefinition: : Greed is the desire for material Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness. Greed knows no limits (never Covetousness. Greed knows no limits (never enough). Always grasping for more money, fame, enough). Always grasping for more money, fame, or filling other’s minds with ourselves. Greed or filling other’s minds with ourselves. Greed leads to a lack of respect for the needs of others.leads to a lack of respect for the needs of others.

Root causeRoot cause: : Self-center on our own needs (Gen Self-center on our own needs (Gen 3:6)3:6)

ExampleExample: Greed provides for the “what ifs” in life : Greed provides for the “what ifs” in life – aging, famines, sickness, poverty, depending on – aging, famines, sickness, poverty, depending on others (Jer 22:13-17; I Kings 21:1-19). others (Jer 22:13-17; I Kings 21:1-19).

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : GenerosityGenerosity

Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Exodus 20:17; 22:22-Exodus 20:17; 22:22-23; Eccl. 4:8; Jer 6:13; Matthew 5:3; 6:1-23; Eccl. 4:8; Jer 6:13; Matthew 5:3; 6:1-4; II Cor. 8:1-15; I Tim 6:3-10; Luke 3:11-4; II Cor. 8:1-15; I Tim 6:3-10; Luke 3:11-14; 12:20-21; I Cor 6:9-10; Heb. 13:5-6; 14; 12:20-21; I Cor 6:9-10; Heb. 13:5-6;

VirtueVirtue: : Put on generosity. Our greatest Put on generosity. Our greatest good is found in sharing with others in good is found in sharing with others in community. It celebrates contributions. community. It celebrates contributions. It’s not about me but about others. It’s not about me but about others. (Deut 15:10; Ps 37:21, 25-26; Prov 11:25; (Deut 15:10; Ps 37:21, 25-26; Prov 11:25; I Tim 6:18; II Cor 9:6-15) I Tim 6:18; II Cor 9:6-15)

DefinitionDefinition:: Anger is manifested in the individual who Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath. Anger arises from a sense of violation – a Wrath. Anger arises from a sense of violation – a violation of self, of agreements, of principles. Anger violation of self, of agreements, of principles. Anger comes when we feel a threat to our social status or a comes when we feel a threat to our social status or a desire to control other people’s lives.desire to control other people’s lives.

Root causeRoot cause: : Anger is an emotion related to one's Anger is an emotion related to one's psychological interpretation of having been offended, psychological interpretation of having been offended, wronged or denied and a tendency to undo that by wronged or denied and a tendency to undo that by retaliation.retaliation.

ExampleExample: : Evagrius writes: “the most fierce passion is Evagrius writes: “the most fierce passion is anger. In fact it is defined as a boiling and stirring up anger. In fact it is defined as a boiling and stirring up of wrath against one who has given injury. It tends to of wrath against one who has given injury. It tends to lead to a preoccupation with the one with whom we are lead to a preoccupation with the one with whom we are angry. It ruins our health—both physical and mental.”angry. It ruins our health—both physical and mental.”

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : Confession and self-Confession and self-restraint (Gen 4:3-7; Prov 25:28; I John 1:9-11)restraint (Gen 4:3-7; Prov 25:28; I John 1:9-11)

Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Gen. 4:4-7; Exodus 20:13; Gen. 4:4-7; Exodus 20:13; Prov. 15:1-2; 27:4; 29:8-11; Matthew 5:5, 21-Prov. 15:1-2; 27:4; 29:8-11; Matthew 5:5, 21-26, 38-42; Rom. 12:14-21; II Cor. 12:20; Col. 26, 38-42; Rom. 12:14-21; II Cor. 12:20; Col. 3:8-10; James 1:19-21 3:8-10; James 1:19-21

VirtueVirtue: : Put on mildness. The center of our life Put on mildness. The center of our life should be on God and not others. God needs should be on God and not others. God needs to totally satisfy our need to be valued and to totally satisfy our need to be valued and recognized.recognized.

Forgiveness Forgiveness Love I Cor 13:5Love I Cor 13:5

DefinitionDefinition:: The loss of confidence in the The loss of confidence in the goodness of the world and our place in it. goodness of the world and our place in it. Our very existence doesn’t matter. Our very existence doesn’t matter.

Root causeRoot cause: : it comes from deprivation of our it comes from deprivation of our desires or deprivation of the things we desire desires or deprivation of the things we desire most most

ExampleExample: : How would my life be better if I How would my life be better if I had …. Often our opinion about ourselves is had …. Often our opinion about ourselves is affected by comparing with others.affected by comparing with others.

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : put on wisdom; who are put on wisdom; who are we in Christwe in Christ

Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Jeremiah 45; Eccl. 8:1Jeremiah 45; Eccl. 8:1VirtueVirtue: : the ability to recognize the role our the ability to recognize the role our

life plays in the greater affairs of the world. life plays in the greater affairs of the world.

DefinitionDefinition:: Indifference is the avoidance of physical or Indifference is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. It happens when we lose confidence that spiritual work. It happens when we lose confidence that the way we spend our life really matters.the way we spend our life really matters.

Root causeRoot cause: : the daily affairs of life don’t matter the daily affairs of life don’t matter ExampleExample: : Too lazy to love in marriage; too lazy to love Too lazy to love in marriage; too lazy to love

others; too lazy to nurture children; too lazy to enjoy life; others; too lazy to nurture children; too lazy to enjoy life; too lazy to grow in Christ; too lazy so procrastinate.too lazy to grow in Christ; too lazy so procrastinate.

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : put on diligence – through the power put on diligence – through the power of the Holy Spirit; address the fear of failure.of the Holy Spirit; address the fear of failure.

Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Habakkuk 3:17-19; Romans 8:11ffHabakkuk 3:17-19; Romans 8:11ff VirtueVirtue: : the perseverance that helps us get through tough the perseverance that helps us get through tough

times. times. Belief that the ultimate purpose of our life rests in God’s Belief that the ultimate purpose of our life rests in God’s

hands hands Belief that God will eventually reverse our fortuneBelief that God will eventually reverse our fortune Maintaining confidence in the providence of God even when Maintaining confidence in the providence of God even when

there is no immediate evidence to justify such confidencethere is no immediate evidence to justify such confidence Have a community of encouragers to help you (Exodus 17)Have a community of encouragers to help you (Exodus 17)

DefinitionDefinition:: is the desire for others' traits, is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation. When we feel status, abilities, or situation. When we feel inadequate about our own gifts and abilities inadequate about our own gifts and abilities and begin to resent the gifts and abilities of and begin to resent the gifts and abilities of others. Fear of losing our place. Envy others. Fear of losing our place. Envy ultimately prevents us from seeing our own ultimately prevents us from seeing our own gifts and celebrating the role we have to pay gifts and celebrating the role we have to pay in the social networks and organizations in the social networks and organizations where we find our grater meaning.where we find our grater meaning.

Root causeRoot cause: : seeking the praise of men, self-seeking the praise of men, self-centered insecurity centered insecurity

ExampleExample: : see sheetsee sheetSpiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : put on happinessput on happiness

Scriptural teachingScriptural teaching: see sheet: see sheetVirtueVirtue: : celebration of the mutual celebration of the mutual

contribution that we make together. contribution that we make together. Recognizing our own competencies and Recognizing our own competencies and celebrating the skills and abilities of celebrating the skills and abilities of others others

Only when our egocentrism is controlled Only when our egocentrism is controlled and our ability to be other-centered is and our ability to be other-centered is fully developed.fully developed.

DefinitionDefinition:: is excessive belief in one's own abilities, is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity. Pride is the result of a disproportionate Vanity. Pride is the result of a disproportionate sense of our own contribution or importancesense of our own contribution or importance

Root causeRoot cause: : sees the contributions of others as a sees the contributions of others as a threat to the view we want to hold of ourselves.threat to the view we want to hold of ourselves.

ExampleExample: : Pride can take on various forms: Pride can take on various forms: spiritual, intellectual (Prov 16:18; 16:5; 29:23; I spiritual, intellectual (Prov 16:18; 16:5; 29:23; I Cor 8:1-2; Romans 12:16; Prov 3:5,) material Cor 8:1-2; Romans 12:16; Prov 3:5,) material (Deut 8:18; I Chron 29:12Psalm 62:10; I Timothy (Deut 8:18; I Chron 29:12Psalm 62:10; I Timothy 6:9; James 1:17) and social (I Cor 1:10-17; Acts 6:1; 6:9; James 1:17) and social (I Cor 1:10-17; Acts 6:1; James 2:1-13). Ruins relationships, destroys those James 2:1-13). Ruins relationships, destroys those we love, and can destroy a nation.we love, and can destroy a nation.

Spiritual disciplineSpiritual discipline: : put on humilityput on humilityScriptural teachingScriptural teaching: : Matthew 5:5; Romans 12:3-Matthew 5:5; Romans 12:3-

8; Phil 2:3-5; James 4:6; 8; Phil 2:3-5; James 4:6; VirtueVirtue: : seeing ourselves properly in the greater seeing ourselves properly in the greater

purposes of God’s design without feeling purposes of God’s design without feeling threatened by the achievements of others.threatened by the achievements of others.

Danger:Danger: false sense of humility which masks our false sense of humility which masks our pride or result of our self abasement. Shame pride or result of our self abasement. Shame views self as defective and is not humility.views self as defective and is not humility.

Warning: Warning: God seemingly hates pride the most God seemingly hates pride the most (Prov 8:13(Prov 8:13

Goal:Goal: Being able to discern and respond Being able to discern and respond appropriately to any physical, mental or appropriately to any physical, mental or spiritual stimulation. To achieve a full and spiritual stimulation. To achieve a full and harmonious integration of the emotional and harmonious integration of the emotional and spiritual life under the direct influence of spiritual life under the direct influence of God’s divine loveGod’s divine love

Result: Result: AA deep calm based on obedience to deep calm based on obedience to the commandments of God and the practice of the commandments of God and the practice of virtue. (see Romans 12:21 or Hebrews 12:13)virtue. (see Romans 12:21 or Hebrews 12:13)

Warning:Warning: The passions that the eight deadly The passions that the eight deadly thoughts arouse inhibit the work of the Holy thoughts arouse inhibit the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and keep us from loving Spirit in our lives and keep us from loving God and our neighbor. God and our neighbor.