The 12 Step Christian By Minster Speed

This blog is for my brothers and sisters in the 12 Step communities. I've noticed that most 12 steppers that profess Christianity spend their time seeking spiritual growth on Facebook through pictures and cliches or traditional "saying".  

Sorry my brothers and sisters but the bible doesn't have pictures you can click and share to receive spiritual growth or oral psycho-babble that brings frothy emotional appeal which moves you emotionally.  I suggest you spend less time on Facebook, and more time studying the Holy Scripture.

If you really want to understand the plan of God for your life He said you would have to read and study His word.  God said "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". Romans 10:17.  This is why He sends a preacher.  To speak, teach and reach through His word.  This is the only way to build faith.

You don’t build faith through trials and tribulation.  If this was the case we would all be spiritual giants.  Trials and tribulations build patience (James 1:2-3) but only if you are being faithful while you’re going through them.  This is why most people remain spiritual babes when they ought to be mature soldiers.  They can’t stand on God’s word when they are experiencing life’s troubling moments.

God said His word was alive.  It is the only living book ever written through men moved by the Holy Spirit of God.  God then built mankind on a system of growth in the body, mind, spirit, and soul so that we would be able to be spiritually reborn and mental renewed by His word.

You need to ask yourself the question: Are you built for this?

If not one single person agreed with anything posted on my page, books, or blog site I would die knowing that I received my calling from God and that my recovery from alcohol and drugs was not necessitated upon Salvation in Christ but faith in a power OUTSIDE of myself.  This could include anything such as meetings, service work, or any creative force that could help me get me out of myself.

Do you need to be Saved to go to the hospital? Do you need to be Saved to have brain surgery?

Then trust me when I say that just because you’re clean and sober does not mean you have found God.  It's a shame to get sober and go to hell when you die!!! When you found sobriety you got sober and being sober does not mean you found the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who worship Jesus the Christ.

After my initial decision to get help in recovery, it was intimated I would find God if I sought after Him.  People, places, and things were not sufficient enough to initiate spiritual growth.  I was a Christian and indeed only the Creator could suffice.

God has never changed.  He is the same God as He was before I got sober, He is the same God when I got sober, and He is the same God after I got sober.  The only one that had to change was me.  I had to conform to His ways to receive His promises.  I had to change everything!!!

Many of you Christians left your first love for a 12 step god that not only you created but one that you control and one that allows you to do, be and act anyway that you deem allowable in your imagination.  And listen to this…with no consequences as He is only a loving God. He doesn't offer any punishment or corrections at all.  How delusional is that?

The bible says in Romans 1:21-22 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”.   22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

In Revelation 3:19 the bible goes on to say “I correct and discipline those I love, so be serious and repent”.  Only a terrible parent would offer a child a sick version of love that brought with it no corrections or consequences.

I hear you parrot the non-believer in the rooms stating you chose to call God (by the title) God, when God states in John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you".

 Stop speaking like a non-believer.  God says, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is death”. Proverb 14:12.  You don’t have the power to choose God.  The bible says “ No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: John 6:44

 My hat is off to you.  How can your finite mind understand an infinite Christ without knowledge of who He is through Holy Scripture?  The bible says in Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”.

Even the Co-Founders of the 12 Step program appeared to understand the significance of who God through Jesus Christ was, and were not afraid of that gospel.  Listen to what Bill W the Co-founder wrote.

Despite all the protests that Bill Wilson never wrote of Jesus Christ, and despite those who have spurned Bill’s statement about the “Lord” and “cure” on page 191 of the Big Book, most don’t realize the truth of what we found and recorded in our recent title, The Conversion of Bill W. See link below.

http://www.dickb.com/aaarticles/Alcoholism-Could-Be-Cured.shtml

Now, thanks to a phone call with an assiduous A.A. history researcher and friend on the East Coast, our attention was called to a letter Bill wrote—dated 1940—and published in the A.A. General Service Conference-approved book, As Bill Sees It (New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1976). Thanks to our friend. And blessings to the readers.

Page 114 As Bill Sees It

No Personal Power

“At first, the remedy for my personal difficulties seemed so obvious that I could not imagine any alcoholic turning the proposition down were it properly presented to him. Believing so firmly that Christ can do anything, I had the unconscious conceit to suppose that He would do everything through me—right then and in the manner I chose. After six long months, I had to admit that not a soul had surely laid hold of the Master—not excepting myself.

“This brought me to the good healthy realization that there were plenty of situations left in the world over which I had no personal power—that if I was so ready to admit that to be the case with alcohol, so I must make the same admission with respect to much else. I would have to be still and know that He, not I, was God.”  LETTER, 1940

Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob never intended for this circus to take place in the 12 Step program and it is showing in our 3% success.  In the beginning the program recovery rate stayed between 91% and 97%.  There are many who remain clean and sober and show no spiritual growth beyond their sobriety which has cause many to state that this beautiful program does not work at all.

See Article below:

AA wrestles with its own True Roots and Spirituality.

These sober people lord and flaunt their TIME and CLEAN DATE as if it was something they had the power to pull off when everyone knows that “there is only one that has all power and that one is God” Pg 58/59 Big Book. Everyone knows that "TIME is not an indication of spiritual recovery."  I truly believe this has resulted in a satanic confusion in the rooms between those who have misused the Big Book and those who are illiterate and confusing others.  Anyone found worshiping Christ will find complete and utter intolerance.

I know there are many who will never accept Christ and that's your choice.  My ministry has always been an Inreach Ministry and I'm speaking to the ones that God has called according to His mercies and grace.  I am not afraid of the 12 step community of non-believers.  I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He has given us a second chance and we should not take this lightly as God has a side to His character that demands justice. 

Personally I cannot understand why churches rent space to Alcoholics Anonymous? Are churches really that desperate for money that they need to allow a group that cuts against the grain of their own beliefs, within their walls? Especially with regard to Christian based churches; The AA of today should be an affront to Christians everywhere.  

One would think that the AA concept of God would be enough to have most Christians kicking AA to the curb.  Today's AA view of God is that of self design.  A God created out of your own imagination.  For example, if a person decided to make their god Satan and they felt that the teachings of Satan should guide their life this is perfectly acceptable.

I sit in utter disbelief at so called professing Christians who are turning away from Christ for a creation within the confines of their own minds.  But there are worse issues regarding AA than just theological conflicts. Another major issue for a church should be the fact that many AA members are very hostile towards churches. They have sayings that mock organized religions:

"Who needs church; I get everything I need in AA."

"Church is for people looking for god, AA is for people who have found him."

"Church is for people who fear hell; AA is for people who have already been there."  Trust me there will be a reckoning and you will find that Hell indeed exist and you will find yourself there...SOBER !!!

If I belonged to a church that catered to a AA group I would be insulted by these statements. Lessons such as this highlight the fact that AA members think AA is superior to church. Not just superior, but condescending to the churches members.

There is no Salvation outside of Jesus Christ. Being sober in the 12 Step program does not mean you are saved and will rest in the presence of God in the thereafter.  

The 12 Steps were never intended to replace Salvation through Christ.  They were design to bring about recovery from alcoholism.  No person in their right mind if they had a broken arm, upon arrival to the hospital would change their god, and risk their salvation just to get their arm repaired.

Listen 12 stepper, Grace is unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.

This is a virtue coming from God. A state of sanctification or justification enjoyed through divine grace, approval, favor, mercy and, pardon.

The words sanctification, justification, or regeneration all comes from the application of the blood of Jesus in and upon your life. Without this blood covenant there is no justification, regeneration or simply put. NO GRACE.

 I wrote this because many are claiming, choosing or creating their own god then picking from the Christian religious phrases, words, and concepts that have no integrity without Jesus Christ. 

This is what Jesus meant when He said in Matthew 7: 16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles”?

This is a good rule to see if you are in the midst of a false prophet or if your Christianity is not real itself.  Grapes and Figs were two of the most common foods in Israel and they could have no stock if they grew among thorns or thistles.  The fruit are the true converts, the true disciples.  If you are a Christian leader then this is a mandate or part of the Great Commission.  A true teacher leads mean away from Satan to the light of Christ.  A true disciple lives with the Holy Scriptures in the light of the ways of God. Not within the confines of his own imagination.

Does your life produce a gospel that looks like Christ’s but is distorted with the thorns and thistles (common things of the world)?  Only through the lens of Jesus Christ and His Holy Scripture would you even be able to know this and make the necessary adjustment from your deception.

Speaking Christianese is a very popular spectacle in America at this time and in the 12 Step rooms many have taken this concept to the full and dangerous extreme.  Using words like faith, grace, saved, favor, cleansed, healed, and many other concepts which without Christ would be futile and to some degree insane.

The above words come after one accepts the Blood of Jesus upon their life.  To be a Christian is not done in word but in Power.  

Grab your bibles and let’s grow in Christ.

I leave you with the beauty and grace of Holy Scripture.  I promise that if you read and digest it your life will change.  The word of God is not locked into the ancient of days, nor is it conditioned by man.  His word is both timely and timeless.

Proverbs 13:16-25 New Living Translation (For easier digestion).

16 Wise people think before they act; fools don't and even brag about it! 17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing. 18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored. 19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools will not turn from evil to attain them. 20 Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm. 21 Trouble chases sinners, while blessings chase the righteous! 22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth passes to the godly. 23 A poor person's farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away. 24 If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them. 25 The godly eat to their hearts' content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

You're A Christian, Are You Suppose To Judge? By Minster Speed

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

Have you ever sought to confront wrong-doing, or reprove someone, only to be met with, "You can't judge me!" or "Christians aren't supposed to judge!" What does God's Word say about judging?

For as Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).  Here Jesus commanded men to judge rightly and He told them in Matthew :1-2 to “judge not.” Did the Lord contradict Himself? Or does the Bible say more about judging than Christians are generally taught?

Where did we get the notion that men should never judge? Should child-molesters escape condemnation? Should rapists be free from criticism? Should society refrain from judging those arrested for murder? Why would anyone judge others for judging?  And if a pastor teaches "don't judge" regarding abortion and homosexuality, what would he say about a parishioner who doesn't donate but rather takes money out of the collection plate? 

A lie has partially paralyzed the church.

God warns against “hypocrisy” commanding men to “abhor what is evil” (Rom. 12:9). Yet to abhor evil, someone must first judge evil. Thus, unable to judge, large numbers of Christians become hypocrites by obeying the Hypocrites Golden Rule. Since the hypocrite doesn’t want to be judged, he judges not, as Jesus said, “Judge not… you hypocrite” (Mat. 7:1, 5 KJV; Ezek. 16:52). For “judge not” (Mat. 7:1-5) is simply a hypocrites application of do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mat. 7:12). “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged” (Mat. 7:2).

Judge others as you would have them do unto you becomes judge not if you do not want to be judged.

One of the biggest problems in the Church is that some Christians are way too trusting. Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Mat 7:15). Far too many of the sheep do not heed our Lord's words. Even when believers are cautioned about certain false teachers, they blow off the warning and blindly follow these wolves.

You've probably heard this many times: "The Bible says not to judge." What the Bible actually says is that we're not to judge a person's heart or motives. "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things," says Paul, "yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1Cor 2:15-16).

According to Paul true followers of Jesus are of the same mind. When you have the mind of Christ you have spiritual discernment. Christians (who are walking with Christ) have the authority to judge people's words and actions. How do you know if someone is a false teacher?

Go to the scriptures!

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

No doubt some Christians will continue to complain that "judging" is unbiblical and play the Mat. 7:1-3 card: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

What they fail to understand is that the Spirit of God abides in regenerate Christians. Hence we have the mind of Christ! As for the unbeliever, Scripture clearly teaches that the natural man [unregenerate] "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). So the unregenerate person does not — cannot — understand the things of God.

Amazingly, a growing number of self-professed Christians think the things of God and His Holy Scripture are foolishness.

Today many Christians are attending churches where their pastors teach outright heresy! They just assume they're being taught the truth. Unfortunately that's not always the case. Granted, there are a lot of ministers who preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Still, there are a growing number of false teachers who can charm an Eskimo into buying a beach umbrella.

The good news is that believers who read and study the Bible are not easily taken in by apostates. But even mature believers can have the wool pulled over their eyes if they stop being Bereans. It was for this very reason that John penned this warning: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). 

Jesus was asking us to become “Judges” of the spirits within men. The only way to know the truth was to judge according to the Word of God, through the Holy spirit.

Now it becomes clear. Jesus wasn't saying, "Don't judge." He was saying, "Don't judge your brother without first judging yourself." His exhortation was to remove the plank or beam from your own eye first, so that you can see clearly to remove the speck of sawdust from your brother's eye.

Part of the problem we have with judging is that when people say "judge" they usually mean or imply "condemn." But judging means much more than that.

"To judge" means "to make a distinction" or "to separate." You judge every day, in every aspect of life. You had to make a judgment in order to decide what clothes to wear today, or what to eat. You are also responsible for judging between truth and error.

When we look at scripture on judging, it is important that we pay attention to who is being addressed.

Romans 2:1 - Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art that judgest: for in that thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

At first glance, this verse seems to forbid judging, and to warn that when you judge someone else, you are condemning yourself. But who is it talking to? Those who judge others for doing the same things they are doing. If you fall into that category, then you are indeed condemning yourself when you judge someone else! But this is not a blanket prohibition against judging.

What God wants is not for us to avoid judging, but instead to judge rightly. How does a man judge rightly you ask? 

Let's start by looking at how not to judge.

John 7:21-24 - Jesus answered and said to them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

Moses therefore gave to you circumcision; (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath receiveth circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have restored a man to sound health on the sabbath?

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Here Jesus answered some of his critics who had judged his works, but not righteously. What did they do wrong? They judged by mere appearance.

Our goal must not be just to judge, but rather to "judge righteous judgment."

Proverbs 14:12 shows us another way we're not supposed to judge.

There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end of it [are] the ways of death.

It's very easy for me to establish my own standard for right and wrong and to judge others according to that standard -- but that, too, is judging wrongly. If we are going to "judge righteous judgment," we must not judge by man's standard, which is flawed to begin with, but by God's standard.

Within the Church, disputes will arise from time to time. Settling these disputes requires judgment.

I Corinthians 6:1-4 - Dare any of you; having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?

If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

Ask those who are least esteemed in the Church to judge things pertaining to this life? Whoa! That's a different way of looking at things!

If a dispute between God's people goes to the secular courts, to the legal system, who does the judging? Usually, men and women who don't have the spirit of God. By what standard do they judge? By God's standard, or by the imperfect standards of this world? By the world's standards, of course. And what kind of judgment can be expected? A godly decision, or a worldly one? A worldly decision, contrary to the Word of God, is almost guaranteed.

In the Church, it should not be a big matter for any believer to settle a dispute or render judgment in a matter pertaining to the things of this life -- if the church is functioning properly, and not according to the world's standards.

I Corinthians 6:5-6 - I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother and that before unbelievers.

Instead of insisting on believers judging between believers, the saints in Corinth were running to the world to settle their disputes. What kind of witness is that to the world: two Christians having it out in front of unbelievers? What does it say about our maturity as Christians when we can't be humble enough to be judged by our fellow believers, but we will submit ourselves to the judgments of those who do not obey God?

I Corinthians 6:7-8 -Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather [allow yourselves to] be defrauded?

But, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren.

My flesh may cry out, "Wait a minute! Don't I have rights?" But the Word of God testifies that it is better to lose what is rightfully ours than to allow unbelievers to decide a dispute between believers.

I Corinthians 11:28- But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.

Each of us is responsible before God to judge himself. Ask yourself: Do I have a plank in my eye? Even if someone asks me for my judgment, if I have a plank in my eye in that area, that is, if my walk with God is not right in that area, I should either deal with my own plank first, or decline to give judgment. 

Ex. You can’t judge a homosexual if you are a closet homosexual.  This is the epitome of Matthew 7:1-3.  It’s amazing how biblically illiterate most people are.  The real key to judging righteous judgment is self judgment. Start with yourself; judge yourself first. 

Let no one deceive you with empty words like, "Don't be judgmental," or, "You can't judge me."

Ephesians 5:7 - Be ye not therefore partakers with them.

If you don't exercise righteous judgment, how will you know who or what to be a partner with?

Ephesians 5:8-10 - For ye were once darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable to the Lord.

Everything doesn't please God! You've got to judge between what is of God, and what is not!

Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

How do you expose darkness? By shedding the light of God's Word on it!

Ephesians 5:12-17 -For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  But all things that are reproved are revealed by the light: for whatever doth reveal is light. {reproved: or, discovered.  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].

If we are going to be able to understand what the will of the Lord is, if we are going to walk in wisdom, we must "judge righteous judgment."

In closing Today, many believers are effectively saying, “Lord, thanks but no thanks. I’ll pass on that judgment duty.” But Paul responds, Start judging now, because you will need the practice (1Cor. 6:2-5). Remember, “He who is spiritual judges all things. For... we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:15-16). For as the King James Version quotes Jesus, "ye... have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done" (Mat. 23:23). And God will reward those who judge, and do the hard work: “Those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” (Prov. 24:25).

Would slain Columbine high school student Danny Rohrbough be forgiving or judgmental toward his unrepentant murderers? A People Magazine photo in Nov. 1999 shows his family and friends answering that question. They quote Rev. 6:10 in which martyred Christians in heaven ask God to “avenge our blood.” Judge-not Christians condemn the martyr’s call for vengeance, but never the murderer.

To say that Jesus teaches us not to judge other people’s actions is obviously and plainly wrong.  But how should Christians judge?  Here are some biblical guidelines.  One should judge:

1.       Consistently, not hypocritically

 2.       With Humility, not superiority

 3.       With Facts, not assumptions

 4.       Words and Deeds, not motive and intent

 5.       Biblical Issues, not personal preferences

 6.       Sins, not sinners

 7.       Temporal Matters, not eternal matters (salvation)

 8.       With a Goal to Show People Christ, not how good you are

Easier said than done, but that’s what our Lord commands.  Rather than making the extreme claim that we should never judge, Christians need to do this in a godly manner.  With God’s help, it can be done!

For as Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

Something About the Name of Jesus! By Minister Speed

It's amazing that on the Internet you can talk about whack rap groups, curse profanely, show pictures of almost nude people, sexual positions, etc.  You can speak in Ebonics and continually disrespect your mother and father. 

You can be and remain illiterate and practically boast about it. You can speak freely about your alcoholism and addiction. You can promote homo sexuality, same sex marriages and call each other the "B" word. You can use the "N" word with impunity. You can plan a robbery, and pedophile can contact under-age minors for their sick pleasures right in the open. 

 You can disrespect the flag and office of the USA, call the President a monkey, a terrorist, or anything that comes to mind. You can expound the virtuous of Buddhism, Islam, or even Satanism. 

BUT MENTION THE NAME OF JESUS AND PEOPLE JUST GET PLAIN OLE OFFENDED. I think I'd rather ride with the Son!!!

Halloween Party Theme 7 Deadly Sins By Minister Speed

I was recently sent this picture about a Halloween costume and dance party. It was being presented by BLACK ENTERTAINMENT. The photo stated the theme of the party was The 7 Deadly SINS. It went on to state that you had to dress in a costume to gain entrance and that you should come dressed in your sin of choice. 

 It’s amazing to me how most lose the ability to mentally understand the devastating effects of Satan in the world and even when he EXPOSES HIS PLAN COMPLETELY most will laugh it off and participate as if all is well. 

 In looking at the photograph we get a clear understanding of what’s being perpetrated upon this world by Satan. 

 At the top of the picture it reads “Indulge all your senses as you enter a world of comfort, class, and fantasy". Here we see Satan as he plays upon His prey by offering them the desires of the flesh. His play upon words is amazing. How can a person willingly participate in DEADLY SINS and be in a world of comfort, class, or even fantasy? 

 How is it that a person could be so BLIND and IGNORANT that they could not see the TRUTH about this obviously and blatant EVIL and WICKED STRATEGY?

 Underneath the caption you see a woman who has a HALO over her head with HORNS sticking out of her head obviously as a reference to “FALLING ANGEL” with “BLACK WINGS.” The audacity of Satan is amazing. 

 The bible says no man can serve two masters. He must choose . To not make a decision is to make a choice for SATAN. The strategy between good and evil has taken on new heights and I know that many will participate in this affair who call themselves Christians and will shrink off the truth and worship Satan to fulfill the lust of their flesh. 

 There will also be many who blindly will follow their master to the pit of hell. The sad truth is the people who created this event must have some background with what’s going on. Satan’s lieutenants are very skilled in deception and have mastery in SIN. Most people have no idea of the seriousness of the 7 SEVEN DEADLY SIN.

 THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS 

1. Lust- or lechery (carnal "luxuria") is an intense desire. It is usually thought of as excessive sexual wants, however the word was originally a general term for desire. Therefore lust could involve the intense desire of money, fame, or power as well. 

2. Gluttony - Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony (Latin, gula) is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. In Christianity, it is considered a sin because of the excessive desire for food, and its withholding from the needy. Because of these scripts, gluttony can be interpreted as selfishness; essentially placing concern with one's own interests above the well-being or interests of others. 

3. Greed - Greed (Latin, avaritia), also known as avarice or covetousness, is, like lust and gluttony, a sin of excess. However, greed (as seen by the church) is applied to a very excessive or rapacious desire and pursuit of material possessions. 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." "Avarice" is more of a blanket term that can describe many other examples of greedy behavior. These include disloyalty, deliberate betrayal, or treason especially for personal gain, for example through bribery. Scavenging and hoarding of materials or objects, theft and robbery, especially by means of violence, trickery, or manipulation of authority are all actions that may be inspired by greed. 

4. Sloth - (Latin, Socordia) can entail different vices. While sloth is sometimes defined as physical laziness, spiritual laziness is emphasized. Failing to develop spiritually is key to becoming guilty of sloth. In Christian faith, sloth rejects grace and God. Sloth has also been defined as a failure to do things that one should do. By this definition, evil exists when good men fail to act. 

5. Wrath - (Latin, ira), also known as "rage", may be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. Wrath, in its purest form, presents with self-destructiveness, violence, and hate that may provoke feuds that can go on for centuries. Wrath may persist long after the person who did another a grievous wrong is dead. Feelings of anger can manifest in different ways, including impatience, revenge, and vigilantism. 

6. Envy - Like greed and lust, Envy (Latin, invidia) is characterized by an insatiable desire. Envy is similar to jealousy in that they both feel discontent towards someone’s traits, status, abilities, or rewards. The difference is the envious also desire that entity and covet it. Envy can be directly related to the Ten Commandments, specifically "Neither shall you desire... anything that belongs to your neighbor". 

7. Pride.  In almost every list, pride (Latin, superbia), or hubris (Greek), is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and the source of the others. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). In perhaps the best-known example, the story of Lucifer, pride (his desire to compete with God) was what caused his fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan. 

My brothers and sisters it is time to awaken to the raging warfare around us. God is not to be mocked. You have a choice and that choice must be evident. Please understand that your choice will affect the lives of everyone around you including your children. These traditions are not harmless playthings. They are precursors to destruction. 

 I will close with several Bible verses which will help you understand what God has to say. 

 1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 

Ephesians 5:6-12 ESV Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 

 Hosea 4:6 ESV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 

 Ephesians 5:7-12 ESV Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 

 Proverbs 22:6 ESV Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.