As a heads up, this is just my opinion and could be completely wrong. But, to get this started I have to point out something first. I have noticed that most people don’t struggle with every sin (missing the mark in terms of God’s plan for our lives) but rather really struggle with a few, and are somewhat tempted, or not even tempted by others. For instance, someone may really struggle with gossip and lust, but have no problems at all with fighting against gluttony, greed, pride and other temptations and sin. Another person may struggle with envy and pride, but can resist losing their temper, gossiping, lust, and other sins seemingly without much effort.
With that said, I’ve also noticed that many of our sins are related to the weaknesses of our strengths. Often times the things that tempt us most do so because they prey on areas that our strengths expose us to. For instance, someone who is a a hard worker and is productive may struggle with impatience and anger, because their strengths create expectations and a need for control that isn’t always met. I don’t know if I’m that productive or hard working, but I definitely struggle with patience (our virtue for the month) and anger.
Someone else may be a great encourager, and part of that is because they struggle with finding their own self worth in God rather than in the words and affirmations of others. However, because they want that affirmation they are good at providing it for others.
Another person may struggle with gossip, and it’s because they actually have great gifts of mercy and helps but their concern for others isn’t always expressed in the best ways. Numerous things could cause that, including how they were raised and how much their closest friends lead them to gossip rather than serving and loving those in need.
Have you noticed any other examples of this?
Figure out your strengths and your weaknesses, and then figure out what tempts you most because of those weaknesses. Not every temptation or sin we struggle with is tied to our strengths, but some are, and knowing that is one of the best ways to fight against it.
I hear what you’re saying Nick, but each of the sins you listed, (i.e. lust, gluttony, etc)all point to the same core “deep idols”. No not everyone manifests the same sins the same ways, but gluttony is the belief: God being “insufficient”, so I eat
& lust is: God being “insufficient”, so I am sexually immoral.
Both point to the fact that I am replacing God with another god. Idolatry. Many masks, but the same sin.
I think you hit it closer the second half. Often times the core lie we might believe is “I’m worthless”, so I perform to gain worth. No one likes me (People are Big, God is small) and since their approval trumps God’s approval (idolatry) I will neglect God’s decrees and confessions of love, and replace them with the praises of others (fear of man=idolatry)
Thanks for posting this!
Hey Ryan,
I totally agree. You make a great point using good terminology, calling them idols. I like how Paul phrased it in Romans 1:25.
I even think our strengths can sometimes make us more prone to idolizing certain things over other things. I may be more prone to idolize money, whereas somebody else may have no problem with that but tends to idolize lust. They are all idols, but manifest differently like you said. Obviously a lot of our sin has other roots, but some sins that really enslave us are related to the blind spots of our strengths.
Thanks for joining the discussion!