School of Education, Arts and Sciences

Christian Faith Education Department

LEARNING MODULE
CFED 1023 (Christian Morality in Our Times)

Lesson 15: SEVEN (7) CAPITAL SINS

Topics: The Virtues to Overcome the Seven (7) Capital Sins

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

a. Identify the Christian virtues being threatened by the seven capital sins;
b. Give specific ways how to overcome the seven capital sins; and
c. Explain the serious effect of always committing the seven capital sins.

LEARNING CONTENT:

Introduction:
In our past lessons, we discussed certain actions that
will seriously strain one’s relationship with God. Along that
topic, there are also some realities of which some are bad
behaviors and some are in the mind but will lead one to
commit bad actions. These are called vices if developed
and practiced consistently. These vices are called capital
sins. These are called such since they give rise to other
sins. To overcome these capital sins, there are also virtues
that we need to develop and should become part of our
lifestyle to be able to resist the development of capital
vices.

Other Christian Virtues as Threatened by the Capital Sins

1. Chastity is threatened by lust.

Chastity is not simply abstaining from sex but directs one’s sexuality
toward the proper expression of love and intimacy. Chastity encourages
Christians to respect our sexual dignity by not engaging in sexual activities
until the right time has come – the celebration of the Sacrament of
Matrimony. Moreover, married Christians are required to be loyal to each
other and never defile their marriage by engaging in sexual relationships
outside of marriage. Chastity aligns with the biblical idea that one’s body is
the temple of the Holy Spirit and is not for engaging in lustful activities. This
is purity in sexuality.
 Lust refers to the strong emotional force of an individual associated with sexually fantasizing about
someone. It is an excessive desire of a person to think about and engage in sex. According to the Catholic
Encyclopedia, a Christian’s heart is lustful when “venereal satisfaction is sought for either outside wedlock or,
at any rate, in a manner which is contrary to the laws that govern marital intercourse.” Moreover, the
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines lust as the “disordered desire for enjoyment for sexual
pleasure.” Jesus said, “Anyone who looks lustfully at a woman already committed adultery in his heart”
(Matthew 5: 27-28). So, lust being sinful in itself can also lead one to commit actual adultery.

2. Moderation as threatened by gluttony.

Moderation refers to the reasonable and willful control of the

desire for pleasure. Naturally, the desire for food is good; however,
when it becomes unnecessary and not within the limits, results in
gluttony. Drinking too much amount of wine or alcoholic beverages
leads to drunkenness. So, moderation is needed.

Gluttony comes from the Latin ‘gluteal’, meaning to gulp or

swallow. This is an attitude of allowing pleasure to control one’s consumption of food or drink which results in
taking more than what is required. Gluttony is committed when one eats or drinks too soon, too expensively,
too much, too eagerly, and too daintily. This act leads one to injure his/her health or impair the mental faculty
needed for the discharge of his/her duties. To avoid such bad consequences, one needs to practice
moderation.

3. Generosity is threatened by greed (avarice).

Generosity refers to giving compassion, concern, and love to

others. It is giving love and compassion to others without expecting
any reciprocal action from them. Generosity is a responsibility that
stems from justice especially if we see that we have enough and
others have very little which does not even meet their basic needs.
Greed refers to the desire to possess excessive wealth, material
goods, or anything of value. It places the individual at the center of
one’s obsession with possessing material wealth. This is an inordinate desire to acquire or possess more than
what one needs especially concerning material wealth. It becomes more systemic within a culture as
contributed by increasing consumerism where people endlessly want to buy or possess things that are
luxurious even if not needed anymore, where there is crossing beyond what are considered as the basic
needs. So, to resist being greedy, we need to practice generosity and compassion.

4. Diligence as threatened by sloth.

Diligence pertains to the hard work exerted by an individual in the performance of a task. We need to
exert extra effort to avoid being negligent and neglectful of the responsibilities entrusted to us.

Sloth, laziness in simple terms, refers to the avoidance of

physical or spiritual work. Whatever endeavor in life requires
effort. Failure to exert diligence therefore is a manifestation of
sloth.
5. Patience as threatened by wrath.

A human person should keep his/her cool and patience even amid
adversities and turmoil. One must avoid letting emotion get a hold of
himself/herself when situations do not turn out the way he/she expects
them to be. Instead of bursting out in anger, a person will take some time
to sort things out, assess the situation, and think of possible actions to
settle the problem. Patience manifests the value of endurance wherein
under a difficult circumstance, an individual can persevere without being
annoyed.

Wrath, also known as rage or extreme anger, is an uncontrolled

feeling of hatred and anger. It is sinful because it pursues revenge whether
one deserves it or not. It is a sin because it is associated with selfishness. Anger can be dispelled. One should
make a conscious effort to overcome wrath to avoid untoward incidents to happen due to one’s inability to
control it.

6. Kindness as threatened by envy.

Kindness is simply described as a thoughtful consideration of others by

showing concern and genuine courtesy to them. A Christian does not solely
focus on himself/herself but considers the welfare of others. It may be in
extending a helping hand, patiently waiting for one’s turn or even responding to
others with a smile.

Envy also called Jealousy is a feeling of being discontented or feelings

of insecurity despite having enough basic needs. This resentful longing is
aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. This is often
manifested in the so-called “crab mentality” where a person will pull down
another who has achieved something higher than him/herself.

7. Humility as threatened by pride.

Humility pertains to the quality of being modest and respectful. As

stated in the Catholic Encyclopedia, “humility is a virtue by which a person
considers his/her defects and has lowly opinion of him/her and willing to submit oneself to God and others for
God’s sake.”

Pride is an attitude or feeling of being more important or attractive than others and failing to acknowledge
their goodness. This can be manifested in one’s being boastful over his/her achievements, possessions, and
those whom he/she is being associated with. It is identified as the excessive love of self. Pride makes the
person self-sufficient and there will be no room anymore for God’s grace.

*****END OF LESSON*****

REFERENCES:

Book/s:

Living A Christian Moral Life (150 years of CICM in the Philippines) by CICM Philippines

Online References:

Catholic Exchange: Seven Capital Sins. Retrieved April 26, 2021 from
https://catholicexchange.com/seven-capital-sins

Ppictures credits: Google Images

Seven Deadly Sins: https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/what-are-seven-deadly-sins
Lust: https://www.deviantart.com
Gluttony: https://www.gluttonyulc.org
Greed: https://www.chrisherd.medium.com
Sloth: https://www.sites.google.com
Wrath: https://the-demonic-paradise.fandom.com/wiki/Wrath
Envy: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/07/01/why-most-people-do-not-admit-they-envy-
success/
Pride: https://www.cslewisinstitute.org
 EVALUATION:

Name: Date:
Course/Year: Score:

A. Instructions: Identify the virtues being shown in the following situations. Use letters only.

A. Chastity B. Generosity C. Diligence D. Moderation

1. The practice of this virtue often results in ULS’s very good performance in the board examinations. C
2. This virtue must be shown by everybody amid the difficulties caused by this COVID-19 pandemic. B
3. We must practice this virtue as a way of showing respect for our human dignity. A
4. This virtue is needed to maintain one’s physical health. D
5. This virtue is the way to overcome great challenges in life. C
6. This virtue must be practiced by all concerning the sacredness of our sexuality. A
7. This virtue is highly encouraged in a society where consumerism is very rampant. B
8. This virtue is needed to avoid suffering from any physical deformities. D
9. This virtue is needed by a student to pass the Louisian academic standard. C
10. This virtue is needed in regulating one’s food intake. D

B. Identify the vices shown in the following situations. Use letters only.

A. Wrath B. Envy C. Sloth D. Gluttony

11. This vice often caused quarrels and physical injuries even among friends. A
12. This vice often causes many students to fail in their courses. C
13. This vice can cause one to practice the so-called crab mentality. B
14. This vice will surely result in one’s being physically unhealthy. D
15. This vice can push one to go for vengeance. A