Title: Acedia – The Forgotten Sin
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” Proverbs 13:12
Introduction
Origins of the word
The word and the concept of “acedia” has been lost to the modern English language as it phased out of the original “Seven Deadly Sins.” Though acedia not named on the many lists of sins in the Bible
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
History of the sin list
A monk named Evagrius Ponticus (345 – 399AD), one of the most gifted intellects of his day, compiled in Greek from Scripture his list of the “Eight Evil Thoughts.” In this order Ponticus included: gluttony (gastrimargia), fornication (porneia), avarice (philargyria), hubris (hyperephania), sadness – sadness at another’s good fortune (lype), wrath (orge), boasting (kenodoxia), and acedia (akedia). Acedia is listed last because Ponticus considered it “the most troublesome of all.”
A short time later, another celebrated monk John Cassian (360 – 435AD), translates Ponticus’ list into Latin but with slight variances of meanings. Cassian’s “Eight Evil Thoughts List” is: gluttony (gula), fornication (fornicatio), avarice (avaritia), pride (superbia), despair (tristitia), wrath (ira), vainglory (vaingloria), and acedia (acedia).
Then almost 200 years later, Gregorius Anicius (540 – 604AD) – the pope known as “Gregory the Great” and called by the Protestant Reformer John Calvin “the last good pope” – compiles a list of sins derived from Cassian’s list which Anicius calls “The Seven Deadlies.” In every day terms, Anicius combines pride and vainglory as well as despair and acedia, and then adds envy. Interestingly, he “changes” fornicatio (fornication) to “luxuria” – which expands the meaning from illicit sex to intense desire… lust! In Anicius’ mind, this could be lust for power, food, drink, money, and/or fame. Therefore, in English, the very first list of “The Seven Deadly Sins” is: lust, gluttony, greed, acedia, wrath, envy and pride.
Over the centuries the word “acedia” has been transliterated into “sloth” on most “Seven Deadly Sin Lists,” not to mention “dropped from daily use” in the English language.
Definition of the word
But what is the definition of acedia – this once so “prominent of sins?” The Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church reads, “A state of restlessness and inability either to work or to pray.” Acedia is a neglect to take care of something that one should do. Other words that can describe this state is: an apathetic listlessness; depression without joy. It could simply be understood as a lack of joy and a continued refusal to enjoy the good news of God.
A respected theologian, Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274AD) believed that acedia was what Paul condemns and refers to in 2 Corinthians 7:10 as “worldly sorrow.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Dante Alighieri (1265 – 1321AD), the prolific Italian writer of The Divine Comedy, calls acedia “the failure to love God with all one’s heart, all one’s mind, and all one’s soul.” Many have gone so far to quote it as the sin that leads many to depression and even to the point of suicide.
Roots of Acedia
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Deferred hope, characterised by prolonged disappointment and unfulfilled expectations, can contribute to the development of acedia. Continuous setbacks and unmet desires can lead to a negative view of the future, fostering feelings of despair and helplessness.
1 Corinthians 11:27-30 “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 11, Paul teaches that when one is not regularly inspired by the “body and blood of Jesus” during communion that this is the reason “people in the church” are “weak, sick… and [have] fallen asleep.” The state of being “weak” most disciples comprehend, and “fallen asleep” of course means one has fallen away but still attends church. Yet, “spiritual sickness” is a term rarely used but it “fits” as early symptoms of acedia!
Perhaps from these two passages one begins to understand why “sloth” in time was substituted for “acedia.” When one is physically sick, one is usually lethargic – “hurting” and thus unmotivated “to get out of bed.” So it is with “spiritual sickness” – one’s heart is hurting so badly that one “feels” that it’s just too hard “to get out of bed” to do the will of God. Sloth on the other hand is simply laziness – one “loves doing nothing” more than working for God. Acedia and sloth may look the same – no work done for God – but in fact they are very distinct.
Causes of Acedia
So what is the cause of the forgotten sin of acedia – “spiritual sickness?” I believe it is bitterness in one’s soul.
Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
Since God is sovereign then everything that happens to us either God makes happen or He allows it. The Spirit says that “yes” this “discipline is painful,” but God’s purpose is to “produce a harvest of righteousness and peace…” So when hardship comes one has a choice either to become a “better Christian” or a “bitter Christian!” In other words, one “gets down and depressed” because one’s life is not going as they had “hoped.” Your hope is “deferred!”
A solution to this wickedness!
Remove all bitterness
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
This is why Hebrews 12:15 teaches us to remove all bitterness! Many of us “picture” bitterness as a raging, hateful and loud individual. However, actually for most, bitterness makes us depressed, lethargic and withdrawn.
Look to Jesus
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
As I studied out this sin, I knew that I must look at the life of Jesus. In Jesus’ darkest hours in Gethsemane, He shares with His three closest brothers – Peter, James and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38). Throughout his prayers, he wrestled with God to overcome this depression and sorrow of being nailed to the cross! Most notably, Jesus is tempted with acedia and overcomes through prayer and surrendering His will to God’s, but His disciples succumb to acedia – “exhausted from sorrow” – failing to even pray!
Expect difficulty and overcome!
We can easily expect the Christian life is easy, and yet when pressures come we begin to feel tempted. Yet in reality as Christians we will be faced with pressures, sins from ourselves and from others (non-Christians and Christians). Our job is to keep fighting and fight the struggle of being exhausted and sorrowful.
First of all to repent from this sin, you must identify it in your life. Know what makes you bitter, sorrowful or discouraged. Secondly, you must surrender to the sovereignty of God, embracing your hardships by asking what God wants you to learn.
Conclusion
Since acedia is “the willful refusal to enjoy the goodness of God” be aware that this sin will return with his seven deadly demon friends unless you willfully.
As this article ends, acedia can be overcome with a focus on God, his goodness and gratitude. Let me leave you with a scripture that ties all of this nicely:
Philippians 4:4-13 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.