I was reading the thread on The Call To Perfection and I was deeply convicted. The brother posting is passionate about victory over sin and I can honestly say that I was inspired. While I think we tangle over words to use and ways to express the need for sanctification, we are called to sanctification. I began to think about the sins I struggle with. The sins that I sometimes cherish, the sins that I also hate. I once read about how sins can have a hold on us as long as we keep them hidden. They fester and grow in power, keeping us in bondage until we bring them into the light. I looked up what are known as the 7 Deadly Sins to keep things simple. Here they are:
1. Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.
2. Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation.
3. Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.
4. Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.
5. Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath.
6. Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.
7. Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.
The sins I struggle with are Pride, Envy, Lust, and Anger. I’ll share a little about my pride…
I can be filled with such religious pride it a stench in God’s nostrils. I can be so full of myself, thinking that I’m the expert in everything when in fact; I only know enough to be dangerous many things in many things. I’ve attended extremely conservative churches with extremely high standards and I often feel like “I’ve been there and done that.” I often boast that I was a “Pharisee of the Pharisees”. And since I’ve discovered new dimensions of grace, I’ve become even more proud that I came from that background because I can speak from experience, just to give someone a piece of my mind. Also, I came from a very poor family and I’ve worked my way up to living quite well. I know I’ve been blessed by God and that others have helped me along the way… and without God and those who love me, I’d be nothing. But many times inside I feel like I deserve all the credit. For about three years I chose to live in an area in town that was WAY above my budget…just because I thought I was above living in other areas. I was going broke to feed my pride. Recently a young lady convinced me to move into a more affordable neighborhood. While it wasn’t what I consider “idea”, it’s truly livable and my finances appear to be ready to stabilize. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I’m realizing that this is a sin that I loved. It gave me identity. God has worked to humble me within the past three years. A divorce, being a part time dad, being broke and having to move to a less desired location, only being able to afford a car that comes in a lovely shade of “birth control” (as my friends jokingly say), developing a relationship with a lovely young lady who seems to be so humble I’m always telling her she needs to think of herself more. All these things have worked to reveal to me my need for humility and it’s really starting to get to me. I want to be more like Jesus…but I’ve realized that for years I haven’t been. God forgive me.
So…if there is anyone out there who wishes to discuss their struggles candidly, openly, and honestly… just to get it off your chest or to bring it to the light for prayer. Please feel free. Let’s not bash or attack one another. We need one another. Let this be a confessional discussion wherein all the masks come off and we stand as we are before one another so that we might sincerely pray for one another and encourage one another. You can be as specific and detailed as you like... or as general as you like. This is a thread to just unload your burdens and pray with brothers and sisters. We're family. There isn't a sin so dirty we'd reject you. Let's walk in the light and be cleansed.
Your brother in Christ,
Aquila
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