Why are YOU a bad Christian?

Question

Ok. So you are a christian. Good for you! You’ave got a first class ticket straight to heaven, right?
LOL.

It surprises me how many professed “devout” christians are truly ignorant of their own religion. I mean, if I was going to speak out against someone, I’d make sure I actually knew what I was talking about, and make sure that I wasn’t “casting stones”.

Since the Christmas season is upon us, I thought I’d give you folks something to think about.

The Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the Cardinal Sins, are a group of vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning man's tendency to sin.

The early church fathers divided sin into two principal categories: "venial", which are relatively minor, and could be forgiven through any sacrament of the Church, and the more severe "capital" or "mortal" sins, which, when committed, destroyed the life of grace, and created the threat of eternal damnation unless either absolved through the sacrament of confession, or otherwise forgiven through perfect contrition on the part of the penitent.

The seven deadly sins are as follows: Luxuria (extravagance, later LUST), Gula (GLUTTONY), Avaritia (GREED), Acedia (SLOTH), Ira (WRATH, more commonly known as ANGER), Invidia (ENVY), and Superbia (PRIDE).

Let us explore these, and how they fit into your everyday life, especially with Xmas coming.

LUST: Lust can be described as the excessive desire for Sex, Power, or Self Image. Lust is the self-destructive drive for something out of proportion to its worth. Most of us have exerienced sexual lust.

This is normal, and not really a sin as defined, so long as you control the urge. However, do you find yourself going to bars, looking to “hook up”? Do you play the power game at work, doing whatever it takes to make the top? If so, then you are guilty of the first deadly sin, LUST.

GLUTTONY: The over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. This does not pertain only to food, but to entertainment and other legitimate goods, and even the company of others. Boy. If you are an american, how can you not be guilty of GLUTTONY?

GREED: Greed (as seen by the Church) is applied to the acquisition of wealth, and in particular, more wealth then you need to get by. Greed wants to get its "fair share" or a bit more. Scavenging and hoarding of moneys or objects, theft and robbery are all about greed. St.Thomas Aquinas wrote that Greed was "a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things." Have a savings account? Get Rich Quick Scheme? Dabble in the stock market? Cheap on your taxes? These could be considered signs of GREED.

SLOTH: More than other sins, the definition of Sloth has changed considerably since its original inclusion among the seven deadly sins. In fact it was first called the Sin of Sadness. Modern writers would now describe this as melancholy: apathy, depression, and joylessness — the last being viewed as being a refusal to enjoy the goodness of God and the world He created.

The modern view of the vice, is that it represents the failure to utilize one's talents and gifts. For example, an employee who does not work beyond what is required (and thus fails to achieve his or her full potential) could be labeled 'slothful'. So this one covers pretty much anything from Depression to Laziness. I’m pretty sure that most everyone reading this falls somewhere between, and so most people today are guilty of SLOTH.

WRATH: May be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. These feelings can manifest as vehement denial of the truth, both to others and in the form of self-denial, impatience with the procedure of law, and the desire to seek revenge outside of the workings of the justice system (such as engaging in vigilantism) and generally wishing get even with others or see them “get what they deserve”. Road Rage anyone? Blow up at your kids? Illegal Immigrants piss you off? Get riled about politics?

Angry because you had to wait for an hour in line to pay for your xmas purchases? If so, then you are guilty of WRATH.

ENVY: Those who commit the sin of Envy desire something that someone else has which they perceive themselves as lacking. This could be envy for a great job your best friend has, or envy of how popular someone else is. Following Fads and Fashions is a prime example of envy at work – everyone else has it, so you must too. If you have ever purchased something or changed a situation so that you can gain the object or situation you desire, you are guilty of ENVY.

PRIDE: Considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, pointing out the flaws of others, and excessive love of self. Pride and vanity are competitive in nature. If someone else's pride really bothers you, you are prideful. Showing off can be a sign of PRIDE. Look down on others? Won’t work a job because you are too good to do it? Take an hour to get yourself ready in the morning? Most of use are guilty of PRIDE.

So. Do you really think you are a good Christian now?

Answer 1

you said, "if I was going to speak out against someone, I’d make sure I actually knew what I was talking about"

Yes it is good to know who you are before casting judgment on someone else about who they are. Christian means "follower of Christ" and what Jesus Christ tought is not to be judgemental, to live your life humble, and to love others. Speaking out against someone would not be Christian then by these standards, and there should be no casting of judgement at all, even if we "think" we are good...

Our tendancies to sin are natural and so, unavoidable.

Answer 2

I don't go around calling myself a "good Christian", and you've pointed out a tiny handful of the reasons why. I'm a sinner, just like everyone else. All seven of the cardinal sins are common temptations for all human beings, including myself (in my own personal case, it's lust that gets me every time). And it's wildly over-simplifying to assume that all Christians think they've got an instant ticket to heaven. There are any number of denominations, including mine, that don't teach that type of theology.

Answer 3

I'm a bad Christian because I do things that cause my Father pain. My sins are many, and ever before me. Yet, Christ has chosen to forgive and love me in spite of that.

Answer 4

Your aim, if you become a Christian, is to follow christ, to LEARN to become like him. We're still human, though being human doesn't excuse sinful behavior.

Answer 5

Great glad you shared that, I watch it at the movies somr time ago. Would you believe that religion is guilty of all of them, think about it and relate it to what you know.

Answer 6

How did you get away with such a ridiculously long post?

Answer 7

I am aware that I am guilty of these sins, and confess them when appropriate.

What are you trying to prove?

Answer 8

Cool sermon!

Answer 9

I'm a bad Christian because I'm a Buddhist. I'm the worst Christian ever because I'm not one.

Answer 10

i'm a good atheist.