The Passions of Power

Evagrius of Pontus  (346 -399) one of the Desert Fathers,  taught about these 8 passions which are those emotions which, if entertained and encouraged, will become sinful actions. Unfortunately, this important psychological insight became twisted in western Christian thought into the 7 deadly sins, giving the mistaken idea to many (including me in my younger days) that simply thinking one of these passions or emotions was in itself sinful. This continues to infect western thought to this day - both Christian and, I suggest, secular. Learning to sit attentively to our thoughts so that we can spot them and let them go is a much healthier and more Christian way to deal with sin. I have added some notes about these 8 passions being indicators of our deep  human desire for power and control. There are other important ways of understanding them. There is a lot more to say about this, of course, and no space just here! 

If this idea interests you then there are two 'must read' books: Firstly, and very accessibly, Rowan Williams little book: Passions of Soul, Bloomsbury, 2024. A bigger, more academic book - but a great read, is Angela Tilby's  The Seven Deadly Sins: Their origin in the spiritual teaching of Evagrius the Hermit ,  SPCK 2009.

1   Gluttony fear for the future and wellbeing - fear of powerlessness

2   Lust   power over another - emotional

3   Avarice  power over another - material

4   Anger at the lack of power that is "rightfully mine"

5   Dejection unhappiness at my own powerlessness

6   Listlessness  accidie - acedia   boredom with life  because of powerlessness

7   Self Esteem   wanting to be seen as powerful

8   Pride self congratulation at having power and control

after Evagrius of Pontus (346-399) and John Cassian (350-435)

In case you think is sounds strange, the Letter of James taught exactly this two centuries before Evagrius:
"... one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when desire has conceived, it engenders sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death." James 1.14-15