Seven deadly sins, also called seven capital sins or seven cardinal sins, in Roman Catholic theology, the seven vices that spur other sins and further immoral behavior. First enumerated by Pope Gregory I (the Great) in the 6th century and elaborated in the 13th century by St. Thomas Aquinas, they are (1) vainglory, or pride, (2) greed, or covetousness, (3) lust, or inordinate or illicit sexual desire, (4) envy, (5) gluttony, which is usually understood to include drunkenness, (6) wrath, or anger, and (7) sloth. Each of these can be overcome with the seven corresponding virtues of (1) humility, (2) charity, (3) chastity, (4) gratitude, (5) temperance, (6) patience, and (7) diligence. (source Encyclopedia Britannica)

We have heard this from various sources. Literature and movies and television have made money in the application of this line of thinking. What I don’t find is any scriptural support for this assertion.

The problem with list is the assignment of priorities as if one sin is greater or more deadly than another. These were commonly called the seven deadly sins as if the others would not lead to spiritual death. All sins are deadly sins because all of them can lead to spiritual death.

The second issue is that sin can be overcome by human effort. This idea contradicts the need for a supernatural God intervening for us by His death on the cross. There is no way man can avoid spiritual death. Man is born spiritually dead.

John 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

John 6:63 English Standard Version (ESV) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

We cannot help ourselves. God has to intervene on our behalf.