Seven Deadly Sins

For hundreds of years, people used an inventory the church called, "Seven Deadly Sins" to help them recognize ways they'd gone wrong in their daily living.  What are these Seven Deadly Sins?  Here's a short summary.

1.  Pride/Vanity - having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance, merit, ability; conceited; believing I am better than I really am.  Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 NLT)

2.  Greed - intense and selfish desire for something, especially money, power, or food.  Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. (Proverbs 1:19 NLT)

3.  Lust – a passionate desire for something regardless of the consequences.  For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. (Job 31:11 NLT)

4.  Gluttony – over-indulgence; over-consumption; excessive use of anything.  Those who eat and drink too much become poor. They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.  (Proverbs 23:21 NLT)

5.  Envy - a feeling of discontentment or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or good fortune.   ... being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom.  (Galatians 5:21 NLT)

6.  Anger/Resentment - rehearsing or reacting to the pain we experienced or fear of pain that the treatment of others -- real or assumed – may bring into my life.  Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves. (Proverbs 29:11 NLT)

7.  Sloth/Laziness - reluctance to work or make an effort; doing only what I feel like doing when I feel like doing it; laziness.  For lazy people, life is a path overgrown with thorns and thistles. For those who do what is right, it is a smooth highway.  (Proverbs 15:19 NLT)

Let's do an inventory of ourselves today and bring it before God.  In prayer ask God to change our hearts and habits so these seven deadly sins no longer have power over us. A simple prayer from the heart gives God permission to do an amazing work within us. 

Following are some words one might use:  Most Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed.  I have not loved you with my whole heart.  I have not loved my neighbour as myself.  In Your mercy, forgive what I have been. Help me to amend what I am, and direct what I shall be.  That I may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You my God.

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