Have you ever heard someone drop the phrase “seven deadly sins” and just assumed it was straight from Scripture? In this episode, I unpack the full story behind both the seven deadly sins and the seven virtues — where they actually came from, who wrote them, and how they hold up against the Bible. We go sin by sin and virtue by virtue, testing each against passages from Galatians 5, Proverbs 6, Colossians 3, and more. My goal is not to tear these lists down but to help you hold them rightly, as a theologically useful tool that serves Scripture rather than replacing it. If you have ever wanted to understand where these lists came from and whether Christians should still use them, this episode is for you.
Interesting Links:
- Wright, N. T. (2010). After you believe: Why Christian character matters. HarperOne.
- The Gospel Coalition. (n.d.). How to kill the seven deadly sins with grace.
- Ironwood Church. (2025). About the seven deadly sins.
- History.com. (2023). How the seven deadly sins began as “eight evil thoughts.”
- Desiring God. (2025, August 5). The seven heavenly virtues: An ancient framework for spiritual formation.
- DeYoung, R. K. (2009). Glittering vices: A new look at the seven deadly sins and their remedies. Brazos Press.
- Classic Theology. (2025, April 22). The seven deadly sins: Their origins and why to love the list.
- Britannica. (2025). Seven virtues.
- Barna, G. (2025, September). Research identifies common sources of confusion about sin.
- Arizona Christian University / Cultural Research Center. (2025, October 21). Redefinition of sin fuels social turbulence, research shows.
References to Bible Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:13; Acts 17:11; Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10; James 1:19–20; Ephesians 4:26–27; Galatians 5:26; James 3:16; Matthew 5:28; 1 John 2:16; Proverbs 23:20–21; Philippians 3:19; Proverbs 6:6–11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 6:16–19; Galatians 5:19–23; Mark 7:20–23; James 1:3–4; Micah 6:8; 2 Peter 1:5–7; Philippians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Colossians 3:5–14; Romans 12:2
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