Seven Deadly Sins: Week 1 > What is so deadly about sin?
Living life on our own terms free from God’s control and input is not freedom. It is slavery, because the payment for sin is always death of some kind. In this introductory message, Pastor Derek talks about the nature of sin and it’s deadly effects. The seven deadly sins are themselves deadly because they are the root of so many other sins.
This message includes live Q&A with Pastor Derek answering questions that had been sent via text messaging.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
These are questions we received by text message, but did not have time to answer during the live Q & A.
Though our sins are forgiven no matter what they are, aren’t we supposed to turn from that sin and repent. What if it is just constantly repeated?
We are supposed to repent and turn away from sin, but God’s grace is enough to cover our sin. Where sin increases, grace increases all the more (Romans 5:20). If we continue to sin, God’s grace will continue to cover our sin. But should we keep on sinning so God’s grace can increase? No way (Romans 6:1).
If there is a sin habit that a person cannot break, then that person needs help from the Christian community in finding freedom. Help begins by opening up and confessing your sin to a Christian friend. Repentance, means talking to a friend (or friends) and developing a plan to live differently. You may also need to receive prayer from friends who can ask God to break the vicious cycle of sin and repentance.
How do you get past feeling unloved by your saved friends and family?
This is a difficult question. When we feel rejected by those closest to us it really hurts, especially if those closest to us claim to be Christians. I would begin by discovering who you are in Christ. (Check out this description from Freedom in Christ ministries.)
The void we feel in relationships is often the sign of a deeper emptiness in our spiritual life. Our longing for acceptance and love comes first from our relationship with God. He is love and he can only fill some of the lonely parts of our hearts. I would discover what God says about you and read the names he calls you. He calls you “chosen†(Eph 1:3-8), “God’s workmanship†(Eph 2:10), and “a friend†(John 15:15).
Allow your relationship with God to be the primary source of love and then begin to address the relationships in your life. If you feel rejected by a family member or friend, talk to them about it. Be honest, but don’t be condemning. You may have to distance yourself from some relationship, if they are unable to give you the acceptance you are looking for. Find a good Christian friend whom you can talk with and seek advice from other mature Christians.
Doesn’t the bible say that no sin is greater than another? How did the church make a list of the “worst†or “unforgiveable†sins? Is it misperception of meaning?
The Bible says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it†(James 2:10). We interpret from this verse that no sin is greater than another in terms of our legal standing with God. One sin – of any variety – causes us to lose fellowship with God. Nevertheless, sin does have various degrees of greatness (infamy?) based on its effects. One sin can be worse than others because it affects more people. A sin can be worse than others because its effects are irreversible. And a sin can be worse than others because it leads to other sins.
The seven deadly sins were complied as the “TOP 7 REALLY BAD SINS†because they are the root cause of so many other sins. By focusing on these seven sinful heart issues, we tackle so many of the problems in our lives and in society. Furthermore, by working at the heart level we partner with the Holy Spirit who is changing us from the inside out. Spiritual transformation precedes societal transformation.
How is pride like child abuse?
In the message, I said that the seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride) do not compare in scope to a list of sins like Adultery, Drunkenness, Armed Robbery, Murder, Genocide, Rape, and Child Abuse. I said that you could almost draw a line and play a matching game between these two lists of sins. I did not imply that pride leads to child abuse.
I originally saw a connection between these two lists and had the list of adultery, drunkenness, etc. try to match up with the list of seven deadly sins, but then I gave up on trying to artificially match the two. Lust certainly leads to adultery, but pride may or may not lead to child abuse. I was not trying to make that point.
Why does sin result in death?
Sin results in death, because that is the nature of sin. Sin is a disease. The purpose of any disease is to kill and destroy. God did not create us to sin and therefore God is not the author of death. He created life, death came as a result of our sin according to the Bible.
Sin always leads to death. For example, consider the seven deadly sins and the death they can cause.
Lust can kill a marriage. Lust can also bring death to dignity of women in cases of pornography.
Gluttony can kill your health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans in part to poor lifestyle choices.
Greed can kill your career. If you want more and are willing to step on people to climb the corporate latter of success, you can sabotage your career.
Sloth can kill everything…particularly your family. Men who become passive in their family life kill their relationship with the kids and their wife.
Wrath can kill whatever is in its path. Outbursts of anger will kill whatever is in front of the wrathful person.
Envy can kill your relationship with your friends. Nobody wants to hang out with the guy who drools over your stuff.
Pride can kill your soul. God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.