"The Seven Deadly Sins"
"The Seven Deadly Sins"
Many people are confused about sin. The term seems vague and and subjective to them, and no-one is really able to explain it properly.
Sin is doing something that you know God doesn't want you to do
Why is it, that a child can define sin in such a perfect way, to make the church gasp?
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become as little children, you shall by no means enter into the reign of the heavens
See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in the heavens their messengers always see the face of My Father who is in the heavens
What is the character of a child that makes them so highly esteemed in Jesus' opinion?
- Humbleness. Children admire grown-ups, are always keen to learn, and are not afraid to ask.
- Obedience. Children respect respectable authority, and concede to superior wisdom.
- Innocence. Their wrongs are mistakes. They actually want to do what is good and right!
Jesus is saying to sinners, that they need to develop these qualities toward Our Heavenly Father.
Although these qualities are common and natural to all children, there comes a time when a person's pure spirit is corrupted, and the innate holy character is displaced by a sinful one. This happens as we find that sin is a means to cope with a world that is hostile and hurtful. Furthermore, it is sin itself, that makes the world hostile and hurtful.
So, sin is the root of a perpetual cycle that harms our world, destroying chances for the paradise it could be. It is crucial for world peace, and not only for religious reasons, to properly understand what sin is.
Sin is a selfish condition. It does not belong to any one religion or another, nor does it only manifest in the human species. Rather, sin is the action motivated by one's own desires, where it has an immoral effect upon another.
The study of sin over the centuries, has neatly classified distinctive behaviours, known as "The Seven Deadly Sins".
Pride - "I am better/right"
Often the root of persisting sin. By doing God's will instead of our own, we can gain His approval. After all, what reason could God have, to be displeased with us?
Lust - "I want that"
When we are not content with what we have, we focus our attention on a hope of gratification. This never gives us satisfaction, and it generates distress.
Wrath - "I'll make you pay!"
Anger resulting in fury makes us act against others in a way that is insulting, harmful or destructive.
Envy - "I deserve it more"
This causes us to hate those who have what we want, perhaps taking it from them or being unkind.
Sloth - "I can't be bothered"
When we don't do what we really should do, this can impact others who rely on us.
Gluttony - "I can't help myself"
Compromised self-control, for destructive/wasteful behaviour. Gambling, Addictions, Impulsiveness.
Greed - "I still need more"
Even if we have enough, we still want more. Inevitably, this causes some suffering to ones who genuinely need it more than we do.
Every sinful behaviour is a manifestation of selfishness - that is, to put our own desires and interests before those of others. The opposite to selfishness, is selflessness - that is, to sacrifice our own desires and interests for the sake of others. This selflessness can only come from a heart that has love. This is why Jesus placed such emphasis on the value of love:
You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and all your being, with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself". There is no other greater commandment than these.
Sin is what is wrong with the world today
(describing the end times) And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold.
If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you*. It is better for you to enter into life lame or crippled, than having two hands or two feet, to be thrown into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you*. It is better to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be thrown into the fire of GěHinnom
* Note: although Jesus is using hyperbole to exaggerate the importance of repentance, one's own repentance might not necessarily require physical surgery. In most cases, it could be enough to just not watch that TV show, to quit drinking, or to choose better friends.
- Serving Zion, Oct 15, 2016