Pride is the deadly sin that leads one to believe that the world should revolve around oneself. In the face of our pride, we do well to recall the beatitude,
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth".
Wrath describes an attempt to assert control through the use of anger in an out of control way. When struggling with the deadly sin of wrath, we should ask the grace to contemplate the beatitude,
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy".
Greed involves seeking security through attachment to wealth and possessions. Against this vice stands the beatitude,
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs".
Gluttony constitutes an enslavement to otherwise legitimate sensual pleasures such as food, drink, entertainment, and the like. When we are tempted to gluttony, we should consider the beatitude,
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied".
Envy is sorrow at another's good fortune. Instead of being envious, we can lament our own sins by reflecting on the beatitude,
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted".
Lust entails seeking sexual pleasure for its own sake rather than for the good of spouses and the transmission of human life. When sorely pressed by lust, we can remember the beatitude,
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God".
Sloth can best be defined as laziness, be it at work, in the home, or in one's prayer life. When afflicted by sloth, we can escape by putting the beatitude,
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" into practice.
After having done battle with the seven deadly sins, we become free to embrace the eighth beatitude,
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs".