Of the 7 Deadly Sins, which temptation is most likely to strangle the life from you in the upcoming year?
Wait. Let’s back this up.
What if the biggest battle you’re going to face in 2016 isn’t even on the list?
Wait. Let’s back this up even further.
Can you name The 7 Deadly Sins?
Do you know where they came from?
Humbly. I can’t. I don’t.
On a good day, I might be able to name 4 or 5 of the 7. Those are long odds. And perhaps ones it’s best not to, ahem, gamble on.
The 7 Deadly Sins have a long snaking history originating with the desert fathers and took root in Catholic confessional practices. The list wove themselves into Dante’s Purgatory among many other literary works.
Though The 7 aren’t listed in the Bible, they’re often associated with Proverbs 6:16-19.
Gluttony
Lust
Greed
Pride
Sloth
Wrath
Envy
Of the 7 Deadly Sins, which temptation is most likely to strangle the life from you in the upcoming year?
For me, all of the above.
That’s my natural answer. Broken. Imperfect. Messy. Conflicted. Temptation primed and prone.
But over the last few weeks, I’ve been spending time with people who are challenging my thinking about my thinking of letting go of sin.
One of those people is my precious friend, Kate, whose battling a vicious disease that’s trying to snuff out her life. An accomplished professional and new mom of a six-month-year old, she lived a vibrant, successful life. Her witty, warm disposition made me want to be her bestie forever.
A routine visit to the doctor revealed that her life will now be brief. Everyone is left breathless. A billion unanswered questions. Months. Years. Time is a mystery. We don’t know. But ordinary time has been eliminated from her life.
Every moment special.
Every day a gift.
Every interaction a treasure.
“That’s a lot of pressure for anyone,” she confesses. “Some days it’s too much. I miss ordinary time—like in the church calendar.”
I know a pinch of what it’s like to live with a death threat. When the doctors tell you, “We don’t know,” holding their breath alongside you. I enter that room on a regular basis. But I don’t know what it’s like to live with her death threat. Each death threat differs.
But here’s what she says:
“The sins—the petty jealousies, the overindulgence from accomplishment, the anger when things don’t go my way—those just slough off. They make me laugh. There’s no time, no margin, no energy for such silly behavior.
The hardest thing to give up isn’t letting go of the sin, it’s letting go of the good.”
Kate speaks of how hard it is to let go of …
one precious moment waking moment with her baby girl.
one morning in the arms of her husband.
one afternoon playing together as a family.
one unforgettable holiday party with friends.
The stark tenderness of her voice. The beauty in her eyes.
As she glows radiant with Christlikeness, she reminds me as we journey deeper with God, the challenge shifts from letting go of the bad to letting go of the good and trusting Christ with all all all.
In the upcoming year, may Jesus unshackle us from sin, but may he also pry our fingers from the good so we walk freely and wholly with Him.
Word.
The good I would say; however, the bad (sin) creeps in and tendrils into areas that keep me from the best.
Wow. That is a hard-hitting concept. How often NOW do I give up the good to satisfy the rest (work commitments, volunteer commitments, selfish commitments). Thanks for this thought-provoking commentary. You have no idea how I needed to hear this today.
God is in the business of transformation of our inner being to be infused with the nature of Christ. He shifts through our lives to bring out the negative intents of the heart. Yet, we still cling to our ambition and desire for the “good things” of life which can damage our spirit. I realize that all of my living needs to be sacrificed to the will of God who knows what is best for me. Thank you for giving insights that focus on our Lord Jesus. 2016 will be full of joy and peace as I yield to Him in everything that comes into my life.
What a great-and humbling-article! Prayers for your friend, for enabling me to see, yet again, how petty I can be. God bless…
Thank you. I’ve been thinking about this all day.
My heart breaks for this young mother. I can think of nothing else but her and her baby. I guess giving up the good would be the hardest thing you would ever have to do. It puts other things into perspective for sure. We think giving up the bad is so hard to do, but with God’s help I know it can be done. And I guess with God’s help giving up the good can be done with a beautiful spirit like your friends. I still struggle with understanding why these things happen, but I know God’s ways are not our ways. Sigh.
I have just felt overwhelmed by the whole story of your friend! Makes me feel that I am so blessed while others suffer such sacrifice!; I know I am a sinner and need to face the reality of the sins I neglect to offer up to God, like gluttony, and pride. Just little things, yet gives me no room to feel righteous in myself. Thankful for the real you Margaret and your friend that makes us see life in a new way.
It is a daily struggle, isn’t it, Cherie. Praying you find yourself closer to the Creator this year.
I pray this takes root and things shift for you, Kellie. Hugs!
Thank you, sweet Lisa. Hugs!
I pray for your journey of surrender, Kathy, and that 2016 will be one of growth, joy & peace.
Prayers for you, Lin.
She is a beautiful soul and great reflection of Christ. A true inspiration.
We are all on a journey, aren’t we? Thank you for sharing, Helen. Hugs!
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