We are all guilty of a little sin . . .

I’VE been thinking about sin. This week, on one of my London trips, I treated myself to an expensive jacket. Later, I bought a tiny bottle of wine to quaff on the train home. Two of the Seven Deadly Sins there: Covetousness and Gluttony.

At the launch of veteran publisher and poet Jeremy Robson’s memoir Under Cover I looked myself up in the index — and, behold, the sin of Pride.

It was fun to encounter someone I fancied when we were students… and remember youthful Lust. Then I saw online that a certain politician had been given a stonking advance for a ludicrous book no one will read and felt simultaneous twinges of Anger and Envy.

What’s left? Well, no Sloth for this lady…phew.

This is on my mind, as on Tuesday evening I’m giving a talk on the Seven Deadly Sins, with a panel of distinguished speakers. (If you are interested in coming to this charity event, visit christchurchbath.org.)

Researching the fascinating subject made me think about this column and how much the old idea of the Seven Deadly Sins is still relevant.

After all, ‘sin’ is about harming other people and yourself. Inevitably, writing an advice column makes you aware of human failings. So much harm done (though Lust, Anger, Envy — you name it) to people who were once loved, and to innocent children.

So many families torn apart by quarrels over money and property. And what about the Pride that prevents people from saying ‘sorry’ and causes rifts that last for ever? As for Gluttony, I recall letters from lonely, overweight souls who confess they comfort eat.

Hard to avoid replying that the answer lies within themselves with willpower. People

can take control of their lives. Did you know that ‘Sloth’ and sadness are closely related? No room for that here. Enough to remind you that ‘sin’ is no outdated concept today. It thrives within the human heart.

BEL answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5tt, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.