Christian theologians on the progression of sin
Suggestion — "when the carnal sense offers a bait" which is the sin of thoughtDelight — "when one is satisfied with the mere pleasure of thought"Consent — "when consent is given to the deed"
Step Where Sin Occurs consent of the will
Recommended grace, prayer, Scripture, reason to check delight, avoid occasions; confession for recovery
"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
Hidden fault — "suggestion comes of the enemy" in heartOpen act — "pleasure of the flesh" done openlyHabit — "consent of the spirit" formed into habitDespair / presumption — "boldness to uphold of pride" or despair
Step Where Sin Occurs habit or boldness
Recommended humility, penance, almsgiving, prayer to avoid/stop; contrition for recovery
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Cogitation — sin of thought, carnal bait in mindPleasure — satisfied with mere pleasure of thoughtConsent — will agrees to deed or act
Step Where Sin Occurs consent in will then deed
Recommended virtues, prayer, sacraments, reason to stop; grace, repentance for recovery
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Suggestion — provocation / initial assault of logismoiAcceptance — struggle / coupling with the thoughtConsent — assent / willing acceptanceCaptivity — held by the thoughtPassion — entrenched habit dominating
Step Where Sin Occurs assent to passion
Recommended watchfulness (nepsis), counter Scripture (antirrhesis), fasting, prayer to avoid/stop; asceticism for recovery
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Thought — tempting thought or initial vicePleasure — coupling with delightConsent — agreement to the viceCaptivity — held by itHabit — full passion of the 8 vices
Step Where Sin Occurs consent to habit
Recommended fasting, vigilance, Scripture, discretion, opposite virtues; contrition for recovery
"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out."
Curiosity — first pride step, inquiring forbiddenLevity — mind loose, silly mirth... — 12 steps to pride in will — full self-exaltation
Step Where Sin Occurs defense of sins or full pride
Recommended practice humility opposite pride to avoid/stop; self-examination, prayer for recovery
"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Thoughts enter — initial assault on soulCouple — with desire in heartConsent — willing agreementCaptivity — held captivePassion — entrenched dominating vice
Step Where Sin Occurs passion
Recommended ladder practices (prayer, vigilance, humility) to avoid/stop; repentance for recovery
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
Image — impression or suggestion in mindDesire — stir or movement toward itAssent — willing agreement to passion
Step Where Sin Occurs assent to passion
Recommended prayer, asceticism, love of God to avoid/stop; contrition for recovery
Book Chapters on Love / Thalassius (7th cent.) — Philokalia editions
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Impairment — blinds understanding, first effect of habitIndifference — no sorrow for evil habitsIncapacity — habit as necessity per AugustineIncorrigibility — contempt for correctionObstinate — death in sin
Step Where Sin Occurs incorrigibility or obstinate habit
Recommended avoid occasions, frequent confession, prayer, Mary devotion to avoid/stop/recover
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Rising temptation — indwelling sin stirsConsent — act of will agreeingHabit — dominion and power over soul
Step Where Sin Occurs consent to act or habitual dominion
Recommended mortification by Spirit, faith in Christ, watchfulness, prayer to avoid/stop/recover
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
Assault on faith — Satan casts doubt on God's WordStruggle — unbelief, despair, hatred of GodOutward act — sins against neighbor from flesh/world
Step Where Sin Occurs unbelief or yielding without faith
Recommended cling to Word by faith, prayer, baptism, saints fellowship to avoid/stop/recover
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
Original corruption — inherited guilt from AdamTemptation — voluntary choice to sinAct — dishonor to God
Step Where Sin Occurs voluntary choice / act
Recommended satisfaction through Christ, reason, prayer to avoid/stop; faith in atonement for recovery
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Suggestion — initial viceDelight — pleasure in viceConsent — choice of viceHabit — entrenched
Step Where Sin Occurs consent or habit
Recommended ascent through virtues, prayer, meditation to avoid/stop; grace for recovery
"That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders..."
Original sin — inherited corruptionActual sin — voluntary transgressionVenial vs mortal — degrees
Step Where Sin Occurs voluntary transgression
Recommended sacraments, penance, faith to avoid/stop; repentance for recovery
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."
Total depravity — inherited corruption from birthTemptation — inordinate desire from flesh/world/devilAct — rebellion against God
Step Where Sin Occurs consent in will or outward act
Recommended faith in Christ, gospel, Word, prayer, sacraments to avoid/stop/recover
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
First motion — initial temptationConsolation / desolation — feelingsConsent — decision to act
Step Where Sin Occurs consent to act
Recommended discernment of spirits, examen, prayer, rule of life to avoid/stop/recover
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son..."
Temptation — occasion or thoughtDelight — attractionConsent — yielding
Step Where Sin Occurs yielding consent
Recommended avoid occasions, meditation, prayer, frequent communion to avoid/stop/recover
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
Worldly attraction — external temptationFleshly desire — internalConsent — following self
Step Where Sin Occurs following self-will
Recommended imitation of Christ, humility, prayer, fleeing occasions to avoid/stop/recover
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him."
Original corruption — heart inclined to sinTemptation — affections stirredAct — evil choice
Step Where Sin Occurs evil choice from corrupt heart
Recommended religious affections directed to God, self-examination, prayer for recovery
"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Original sin — inbredTemptation — by fleshAct — willful transgression
Step Where Sin Occurs willful transgression
Recommended perfection pursuit, holiness, prayer, class meetings to avoid/stop/recover
All entries have links where public domain texts found.