According to classical philosophy, virtue is the “conformity of within the ethical systems.” It enables people to carry out good deeds and provide their best. Our internalization of it influences the way we act and respond to the things around us.
In a nutshell, our virtues are the excellent deeds that make us who we are.
Virtues in Christianity
To be “virtuous” in the eyes of the Christian faith means to have a consistent and unwavering desire to do right. As Christians, we are obligated to cultivate and apply the virtues we learned as children. Then there’s the fact that we need to teach it to our kids and grandkids as well. Because of them, we have reason to believe in a brighter future. Instilling these characteristics in our children and helping them become better Christians is the greatest legacy we can give.
People can become more like God and resist temptation by developing virtuous habits and giving their best selves, according to Catholic teachings. Because of this, Catholics believe that the seven deadly sins must be combated in order to triumph over our own inner demons, which is why the Catholic Church places so much emphasis on the virtues.
The Seven Christian Virtues
The four classical Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Courage (or Fortitude) are combined with the three Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity to make up the traditional Seven Christian Virtues. Church fathers originally referred to them as “The Seven Virtues”.
Cardinal Virtues
Ambrose, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas were among the Christian moral philosophers of the late Roman and medieval eras who adopted the list of the cardinal virtues as a handy synthesis of the ancients’ teachings and the pinnacle of excellence they sought.
1. Prudence
Prudence is the ability to see the good in any situation and choose the best way to achieve it. Being able to manage and discipline oneself through the use of reason is called prudentia (meaning “seeing ahead, sagacity”).
2. Justice
A commitment to always doing what is right in the eyes of both God and the people is justice. A person’s interactions with others are governed by the virtue of justice. It also interconnects the virtues of piety, religion, and gratitude.
3. Fortitude
It is the ability to persevere in the face of adversity and temptation while maintaining one’s moral principles. Fortitude is linked to the virtues of patience and endurance.
4. Temperance
The virtue of moderation in the use of produced commodities, the moderation of pleasure, and the pursuit of what is good are all examples of temperance. The virtue of temperance is one that regulates the desires and pleasures of the senile appetite in accordance with reason. The values of modesty and humility are linked to temperance.
Theological Virtues
According to the traditional interpretation of the contrasts between Cardinal and Theological virtues, the theological virtues are not completely open to humans in their natural form without God’s assistance. Faith, hope, and charity are the “otherworldly” virtues bestowed by God on man in order for him to be truly happy.
5. Faith
The virtue of believing in God and believing that what He has said and revealed is true. Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief because he is truth itself.
6. Hope
A yearning for the Kingdom Of Heaven and eternal life as one’s happiness, based on Christ’s promises and the Holy Spirit’s grace.
7. Charity
Charity is defined as love for God beyond all else for His own sake, as well as love for one’s neighbor as oneself for God’s sake. Charity is seen as the pinnacle of human perfection since it is thought to both honor and mirror the character of God.
The Importance of Virtues
Christian virtues are described as the distinct biblical attributes given as instructions by Jesus to love God and love one another. It is so important to our experience that it influences our actions, our perceptions of others, and our devotion to those in places of power.
Since it is so difficult to preserve moral balance in our lives, we can all understand that our human nature has been harmed by the repercussions of Original Sin. Above all, we must combat selfishness and pride, which causes us to lack in our perfect love for God. Living ethical lifestyles allows us to experience true peace and joy because we not only execute good deeds but also give it our all.
Developing virtues, on the other hand, is not something we can do simply by willpower. Love is at the heart of every virtue, but it must be expressed through acts. Despite how loving they pretend to be, no one can be of moral assistance to themselves or others if they lack virtue. Think about the soldier who doesn’t have the courage, the doctor who doesn’t have enough concern for their patients or a teacher who doesn’t have patience – what do they have in common? It isn’t that they can’t love, but because they don’t have the virtue of expressing this love.
Our Final Thoughts
How can one develop such virtues? You advance in these areas through following a succession of qualities such as love, faithfulness, holiness, and self-control in your own life (supported by the Holy Spirit) as well as in community with others, particularly in your church. Remember this: no matter where you are in your Christian maturation, no one is perfect. Even if we are all sinners to some extent, because of our relationship with God and Christ, we each have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us, ready to help us become more like Christ, as we continue to humble ourselves beneath God’s tremendous hand.
