Dear Chaplain: What are the seven deadly sins in the Bible? Will they cause you to die or will they keep you from going to heaven?
– Signed, The scary seven
Dear The Scary Seven: Thank you so much for your question. What’s referred to as the “seven deadly sins” are: lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, and pride. Although all of these things are sinful, no where in the Bible are they called deadly sins, and no where in the scriptures are they compiled into one list. The “7 deadly sins” come from a pope named Pope Gregory I, who in 600 A.D., compiled a list of 7 biblical sins and called them deadly. He also compiled a list of 7 virtues. They became very popular lists of religious do’s and don’ts, so to speak. However, according to the Bible all sin is deadly, unless we repent, and the Lord forgives and cleanses us. (The wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23) There is a list of sins in the Bible that we were instructed by God himself to stay away from, and they are the Ten Commandments:
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall make no idols.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not lie.
You shall not covet (long for other people’s possessions).
These commandments were not meant to scare us straight, but rather they were meant to be as a fence or hedge around us, to help keep us protected. Sin is not what prevents us from getting into heaven, it is the lack of faith in Jesus Christ, according to our Christian faith.
Ask the Chaplain is written by Rev. Dayna Spence, an ordained minister, licensed evangelist, and chaplain who’s served as a hospital chaplain and is currently serving as a hospice chaplain Chester County area. Please email “Ask the Chaplain” at 4thechaplain@gmail.com or write to, PO Box 1284, West Chester, PA 19380.
