Windows, Blue Skies, and Pornography

On Monday in our round table, John, Brian and I were talking about John’s upcoming sermon – Psalm 84 – and I’m looking forward to it.  I’m not going to get into his sermon but we discussed how we move our hearts and wills to do what is right – what we know we need to do yet don’t have the motivation or desire.

John’s sermon is about prayer but I found this (John Piper sermon excerpt) an interesting way to battle the temptation of lust and tiny self focused thoughts.  Piper encourages the one tempted with pornography to get out and look up and this relates well to John’s illustration of the Elephant and the Rider that you will hear about on Sunday.

The Seven Capital Vices, Part 8: Lust

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a book about what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  We’ve examined Envy, Vainglory, Sloth, Avarice, Anger, and Gluttony.  This is the final post in this series, and we will examine Lust.  People often say pornography is a victimless crime.  It’s not.

The Seven Capital Vices, Part 7: Gluttony

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a book about what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  We’ve examined Envy, Vainglory, Sloth, Avarice, Anger and this post will consider Gluttony.  That’s an easy one to spot, right?  If we’re overweight, we’re guilty.  If we’re not, then we can skip this post.  Not so fast.

Seven Capital Vices, Part 6: Anger

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a book about what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  We’ve examined Envy, Vainglory, Sloth, Avarice, and this post will consider Anger.  The problem with anger is deciding when our anger is justified, and when it is a vice.  How do you differentiate between righteous anger, and sinful anger?

Seven Capital Vices, Part 5: Avarice

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a look at what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  We’ve looked at Envy, Vainglory, Sloth,  and this post will look at Avarice.  All of the vices are internal habits of the heart that reveal themselves in outward actions.  Avarice is no different, and it makes itself known through unhealthy collecting of money and stuff.  But also, surprisingly, through unhealthy spending.

Seven Capital Vices, Part 4: Sloth

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a look at what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  We’ve looked at Envy and Vainglory, and this post will look at Sloth.  In a busy world, in which everyone is working too hard, none of us are guilty of sloth.  Right?  In fact, our very busyness is a direct result of slothfulness in our life.  It sounds like a paradox, but read on.

Seven Capital Vices, Part 3: Vainglory

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a look at what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  We’ve looked at Envy, and this post will look at Vainglory.  Frankly, I didn’t even know what this meant!  It sounds a little like pride, but it isn’t.  How would you define it?

Seven Capital Vices, Part 2: Envy

This post continues looking at Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a look at what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins” and she calls the “7 capital vices.”  Her first vice is Envy, and we will see both how it affects us and DeYoung’s suggestion for remedying it.  Perhaps you think it’s the same as covetousness or jealousy.  I thought so – but it’s not.

Seven Capital Vices, Part 1

I’ve been reading Rebecca Konynkyk DeYoung’s book Glittering Vices, which is a look at what we commonly call the “7 deadly sins.”  I’ve thought it valuable enough to blog a little bit about it, and I think it could be helpful to think about the seven vices and their remedies.  First, however, we need to establish exactly what they are.  DeYoung is going to refer to them “capital vices,” so we need to start where she starts.

Johnny Cash & Temptation

Johnny Cash can teach us a few things about temptation and fighting the good fight.