For decades, people used an inventory called, "The Seven Deadly Sins" to help them recognize ways that were not in keeping with God’s laws. They can also us identify character defects to work on as we move forward in our life with God in recovery.
1. Pride/Vanity - having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance, merit, ability; conceited; believing I am better than I really am. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 NLT)
2. Greed - intense and selfish desire for something, especially money, power, or food. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. (Proverbs 1:19 NLT)
3. Lust – a passionate desire for something regardless of the consequences. For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. (Job 31:11 NLT)
4. Gluttony – over-indulgence; over-consumption; excessive use of anything. Those who eat and drink too much become poor. They sleep too much and end up wearing rags. (Proverbs 23:21 NLT)
5. Envy - a feeling of discontentment or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or good fortune. ... being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom. (Galatians 5:21 NLT)
6. Anger/Resentment – a reaction to pain we have experienced or fear of pain that the treatment of others, real or assumed, may bring into our lives. Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves. (Proverbs 29:11 NLT)
7. Sloth/Laziness - reluctance to work or make any effort to do so; doing only what we feel like doing when we feel like doing it; laziness. For lazy people, life is a path overgrown with thorns and thistles. For those who do what is right, it is a smooth highway. (Proverbs 15:19 NLT)
As we review our way of life, let's do an inventory of ourselves and bring any shortcomings that may be revealed before our God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father – Today I ask you to remove all my shortcomings and give me the strength, will and power to follow You in all my ways. AMEN
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