Seven Christian Virtues

While the phrase is not used in the Bible, nearly immediately after Pope Gregory I listed “seven deadly sins” there came about an identification of “Seven Christian Virtues”. These virtues are exactly incongruent with the seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride). The virtues are: Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility.

This list is compiled to give direction for the one who finds themselves embroiled in sin. Do you have a problem with greed, be charitable; find yourself envying another, show them kindness. However sin is trying to manifest in your life, these are godly values you can aim for to be virtuous in the vale of vice.

A similar list is given in Galatians 5. Instead of seven virtues, there are nine enumerated: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5.22-24)

The seven virtues are created to combat the carnal cravings of the seven sins. Since those are man determined let us scrap all the lists and soak-in the scripture. Want to do good- grow in the fruits of the Spirit. Do whatever good things the Bible prescribes, and lack in no good thing. If God wanted to surmise the actions of sinners and saints with seven and seven, He certainly could have. But He gave no such lists. I am not to limit myself to doing good only in seven ways. And I am not to “watch out” for only seven sins that will separate my soul from my Savior. I am to live by the Spirit, keeping in step with Him in all ways (Galatians 5.25 paraphrased).

(Philippians 2.1-5 ) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.