Leaders face constant challenges as they navigate change, build teams, and make difficult decisions. But the toughest tests often come from within.

Fourth-century theologian Evagrius Ponticus identified some of these inner battles when he originated a list of eight deadly sins. Gregory I later consolidated the list into seven deadly sins.

This installment of Make It Count examines the seven deadly sins and how leaders can keep these issues from sabotaging their lives and ministries. It includes 10 lessons:

1. Seven Deadly Sins. There are many challenges and temptations in ministry, and the seven deadly sins can wreak havoc on leaders. These sins include pride, envy, anger, sloth, greed, gluttony and lust.

2. Pride vs. Humility. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Countering pride with humility requires a posture of listening, admitting “I don’t know,” using power in service of others, and welcoming honest feedback.

3. Pride vs. Teachability. Teachability is the gift humility makes possible. A desire to learn and willingness to change characterize a teachable spirit. Remaining curious, coachable and correctable makes learning possible.

There are many challenges and temptations in ministry, and
the seven deadly
sins can wreak
havoc on leaders.

4. Envy vs. Contentment. Envy creates a constant battle of comparisons. To replace envy with contentment, we should establish our identity in Christ, adopt a healthy definition of success, practice daily gratitude, and learn from the success of others.

5. Anger vs. Patience. Anger surfaces when we don’t get what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. But the cure for anger is patience. This spiritual virtue makes room for others’ imperfections and contributes to relational peace and understanding.

6. Sloth vs. Diligence. “Lazy leadership” might seem like an oxymoron, but the higher leaders climb, the more privileged we can become. Scripture implores us to learn a lesson from the sluggard, apply our hearts to understanding, and cultivate a life of diligence.

7. Sloth vs. Stewardship. Ministry leaders are accountable to God for how they steward their time, talent, money and influence. A slothful leader complains about not having enough, but a wise leader stewards resources with Kingdom interests in mind.

8. Greed vs. Generosity. Greed is a common downfall of leaders. Fighting the drift toward greed requires systems and guardrails to help us steward money responsibly and ethically. And to keep our hearts pure, we must practice generosity.

9. Gluttony vs. Moderation. Gluttony is the uncontrolled appetite for more than we need, usually to the point of overconsumption. The cure for gluttony is moderation — balancing feasting with fasting, with normality in between.

10. Lust vs. Love. Lust seeks selfish fulfillment while taking advantage of others. But love is patient and kind. It rejoices with the truth, protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. It looks out for the well-being of others.

As you discuss each lesson with your team, seek to model humility, teachability, contentment, patience, diligence, stewardship, generosity, moderation and love.

Adapted from the Fall 2023 issue of Influence magazine. To download the entire discussion guide, click here.