On Sunday September 20 we launch a new message series on the positive ways to overcome the negative influence of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Of course this begs the question aren't all sins deadly - and indeed they are. However back a few centuries some very astute Christ-followers began to ask the insightful question: what are the most common patterns of sinful behavior among those of us willing to get brutally honest? How and when and why are we tempted to act outside God's moral boundaries?
Are there any patterns here? If we followed the biblical advice to "pay close attention to our lives" what would we learn about the roots of everyday temptations and how we could overcome them?
So over the course of a hundred years or so a series of scholars prayed journaled and collaborated with others in the serious study of sin. Their conclusion was that most of the sins that commonly defeat ordinary Christ-followers fall into seven main categories. They also explained it through the use of the analogy of a tree. The trunk is sin. The tree has seven main branches each of which leads to dozens of smaller branches and twigs.
The big seven branches are: Pride, Greed, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, Envy and Wrath
Then after further study others suggested that Christian spirituality offers an antidote for each sin. In fact there is an entire set of Seven Godly Virtues which - if pursued passionately and consistently would allow us to overcome the dark side.
The Seven Virtues are: Humility, Generosity, Diligence, Purity, Self-control, Contentment and Forgiveness
Wow! What a concept! In fact it would likely make more sense for those who are serious about carving out a healthy sustainable Christian walk to concentrate on the virtues MORE than the sins.
Exactly!
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