Proverbs 6:16-19 (Berean Study Bible)
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, 19 and one who sows discord among brothers.
We are saved by grace through God’s everlasting mercy, and provided a place to be with Him forever in Heaven. Yet, this does not exempt us from the conniving powers of Satan, and the many temptations that come with living a mortal life.
Sin does not just go away after salvation. Far from it! In fact, Satan may use the time between salvation and ‘graduation’ into heaven to bring pressure beyond our wildest dreams. The Devil is a crafty enemy, and knows just what temptations to offer us, and just what times we will be at our weakest. These temptations vary wildly, and no two look exactly the same. However, many of them are similar in form.
If you are tempted by anything outside of a godly walk, chances are you are facing one of the seven deadly sins.
The Bible does not expressly discuss the seven deadly sins within the pages of its narrative, but it does discuss the types of sins that distract followers from living a righteous life. The most common of verses talking about sins that the Lord abhors is found in Proverbs 6:16-19. The writer asserts that the Lord hates six sins, and finds seven of them to be abominable. They include:
Haughty eyes
A lying tongue
Hands that shed innocent blood
A heart that devises wicked plans
Feet that run to evil
A false witness
One who sows discord among brothers
In a modern sense, these seven abominable acts could be translated to:
Lust
Gluttony
Greed
Sloth
Wrath
Envy
Pride
The seven deadly sins are not necessarily acts that will exclude you from returning to Heaven, but they will tempt you further away from the teachings of the Gospel. If one sin enters into your life, chances are that more will follow in its wake. Entertaining earthy desire leaves a chink in the Armor of God, and leaves you vulnerable to attacks from evil men, false teachers, and Satan himself.
The seven deadly sins can be countered by what some call the seven contrary virtues. These are values that the Bible upholds for use against dark temptations and early desires. They are:
Humility against pride
Kindness against envy
Abstinence against gluttony
Chastity against lust
Patience against anger
Liberality against greed
Diligence against sloth
Of course, just knowing about temptations and virtues alone are not enough to protect us against the powers, principalities, and dark dominions that are against us. As the Bible says, we must be as wise as serpents, and as gentle as lambs. Let us protect ourselves against the powers of darkness today!
Closing Thoughts:
What ‘deadly’ temptations have you been suffering from recently? Have you entrusted these to a close friend or mentor? What about God? Remember that we all suffer from the effects of the ‘deadly sins’ because of our mortal soul natures. We cannot escape the temptations of our flesh without the saving work of Christ the Lord. Today, set down your burdens before the Throne of God! Allow the One Most High to take your temptations into His hands today.
Galatians 5:19-21 (New English Standard Version)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: 20 sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. 21 I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Berean Study Bible)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 10 And such were some of you. 11 But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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