Seven Deadly Sins...

Sin: It seems we always are talking about it lately, but only it’s not the sin we commit ourselves, but yet the sin we see others commit, the sin we see others struggle with, the sin that binds someone else in a permanent hold. Even people who aren’t believers in God (or even gods) will use the word sin. Believing in a higher power and calling someone a sinner are not mutually exclusive. In fact, you can believe in God and yet still be blinded to your own sin or the sin around you, just like unbelievers will toss out the word in casual conversation.

When you hear the word sin, what do you think of?

Committing…

Murder?

Rape?

Theft?

Adultery?

Fraud?

Assault?

Those are some big ones right? The ones we KNOW are no-nos.

But what about these sins?

Being Conservative.

Being Liberal.

Being Pro-Cop.

Being Pro-Black.

Being Pro-Traditional Marriage.

Being Pro-Gay Rights.

Being Pro-Guns.

Being Pro-Target.

Being Pro-Immigration Reform.

Being Pro-ObamaCare.

Being Pro-Confederate Flag.

Being Anti-Military.

Being Anti-Socialism.

Being Anti-Religion.

Being Anti-Muslim.

Each of these has an opposite, and each of these are plastered on our social media pages on a constant feed of hate and accusations. But guess what? None of these are sins. Having opinions on these things can certainly lead to a breakdown in our behavior which could cause us to lash out and sin, but these aren’t sins alone, these are opinions.

How are we so corrupt as a society that we don’t even know what sin is anymore? We think someone who doesn’t believe the exact same things we do should go to hell and if someone is like us then they are the righteous ones! Like us! Since we all seem to think we are righteous and unflawed (according to our perfect lives on posted on our Facebook and Twitter feeds)!

So I did a little research. (Ten seconds on google) And found what I was looking for. Let’s get back to the basics.

Though I do have a Theology degree, I am not going to use my trusty old books from school filled with big words I may or may not remember the meanings of, but rather I am going to use a list that was compiled by someone who musta been really smart a long, long time ago based off different scriptures in the Bible.

The Seven Deadly Sins (that’s how I learned them as a kid)…

•   Lust – to have an intense desire or need: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

•   Gluttony – excess in eating and drinking: “for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags” (Proverbs 23:21).

•   Greed - excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness: “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:19).

•   Laziness – disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous: “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway” (Proverbs 15:19).

•   Wrath – strong vengeful anger or indignation: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1)

•   Envy – painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:1-2).

•   Pride - quality or state of being proud – inordinate self-esteem: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

(List taken from: http://www.allaboutgod.com/what-are-the-seven-deadly-sins-faq.htm)

How many of these sins have you committed today? Truly, I say, I just might have touched on all of them this day alone.

I believe if we all strived not commit these sins on a daily basis, we’d begin to see a change in our society. A change in the world our children are growing up in. A change in how we view our neighbor who is going through each day dealing with these same very basic, yet corrupting and deadly sins…

Fight it. Stop the hate. Stop calling or thinking someone is a sinner because they don’t believe in the same things you do. Focus on the sin that has you in the strongest foothold and end it. Develop a habit of ridding it from your life. Then, move on to the next one.

It’s time to look at ourselves in the mirror and deal with ourselves instead of everyone else.

And my spew of words is over. Thanks for allowing me to get it out. Now let's get to work on improving this world!

(Photo Cred: https://lettherebemovies.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/the-seven-deadly-sins_o_1775841.jpg)