Pride. Lust. Gluttony. Greed. Envy. Sloth. Wrath. These are the "seven deadly sins" made popular by ancient theologians and contemporary movies. We've all dealt with these sins at one time or another—whether we realize it or not -- and those of us who follow Jesus would like to stop dealing with them once and for all.
The bad news, according to author Jared Wilson, is that we can't shake any of the seven deadly sins. Willpower can't solve the problem; neither will behavior modification. That's because the seven deadly sins aren't things we do -- they're who we are. We carry them around in our hearts 24 hours a day . . .
The good news is . . . well, the Good News. The power of Christ's perfect obedience, sinless sacrifice, and glorified resurrection gives us the freedom to confidently diagnose the root of our sins, boldly kill those sins through gospel-fueled repentance, and joyfully walk in newness of life.
A lot of people will be making New Year's resolutions in the next couple of weeks to in some way be better people. Let's go deeper. Maybe Seven Daily Sins can help with that.
The Giveaway
I'm gonna give away two copies. To be eligible, all you have to do is comment leaving your New Year's resolution. You can be serious or silly, I don't care. One comment entry per person. I will randomly select two comments sometime on Friday and notify winners via email and in this space. (If you don't leave an email address in the comment form, that's fine; just make sure to check back here at the end of the day Friday.)
UPDATE: GIVEAWAY WINNERS
Two winners with their resolutions are below:
Andy: I resolve to step up the creativity that I put towards planning date nights with the wifey.
David Qaoud: To read a book a week.
Andy and David, please email your preferred shipping addresses to jared AT gospeldrivenchurch DOT com, and I'll get your books to you asap.
74 comments:
My New Year's resolution is to be more open to what the Holy Spirit wants to do with me, and to enjoy Him more than I did this year!
Cheesy, but that's my desire.
to have a collection of pics at the end of 2012 for different facial hair options...and to grow in grace in fervent & consistent prayer
To memorize the Sermon on the Mount.
My new years resolution is to leave more snarky comments on the blogs of pastors that I love.
I have a couple of plans swirling around. More structured study of God's word and reading good books, and instituting family worship.
To step up in the sacrificial giving department! God is good!!
My new years resolution: To go to the gym for a month.
Take up smoking so I can resolve to quit. :)
My resolution is to write better songs.
My resolution is To run a half marathon
Lord willing, in 2012 I will: learn Greek, spend 1-on-1 prayer time with each of the kids during the week, intentionally spend time with our neighbors each month, and hopefully host something like Christianity Explored toward the end of the year.
My resolution is not to commit any of the 7 deadly sins - thank goodness there's grace for the new year.
My resolution is to win more free giveaways.
To study the Bible better and memorize one or two books.
I resolve to make no more resolutions!
My resolution: To understand God's intent in the Gospel to establish His household as I begin my own as a new husband and soon to be father. Maybe that's more of a New Many Years Resolution, but it's starts in 2012!
I resolve to be a better shepherd... at home.
Instead of making new ones, I should probably resolve to do all of the previous resolutions that I never did. OR...I could resolve to eat my body weight in Krispy Kremes. Yeah, that sounds better.
My resolution is to read more books.
My new years resolution is to read through the entire Bible with my wife outloud to each other.
My resolution is to be more intentional of training my wife and daughter in scripture.
jbed00@gmail.com
My resolution is to seek to grow deeper in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To have an article published by a reputable magazine (online or in print).
To read through the Bible this year.
My resolution is to lead family devotions during breakfast each day.
To spend more in studying as I read rather than just reading. Actually read into and discover the meaning of the Word.
Pay off at least half of my current personal debt. Getting out of debt has been something I've put off for a long, long time.
I'd love to memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism this year. It's been a goal for a long time-this is the year!
I resolve to quit making resolutions that I can't follow through with.
Love Christ and know Him intimately not
just theological knowledge. Also learn to hockey stop for pick up ice hockey.
My resolution is to spend 3 grand on a retro Nordic Track to get ready for spring break!
My New Year's resolution is to write an encouraging, uplifting note to one friend or family member per week during 2012.
My NYR is plead SOS by making JC my BFF so I can truly understand WWJD. Please PRAY
Oh goodness...let's see. I resolve to be a better friend. Also I want to grow in gratitude.
Plus I resolve to drink coffee. Lots of coffee. (I'm pretty sure I can keep that one)
My new year resolution is almost the same every year : lose couple lbs of my 'unused' fat, I think 7 is good number to start :) . This year I like to lose 7 deadly sins in my heart, well if your book isn't the real 'help' I need, I do hope your book will help me to point to the REAL and TRUE HELPER. Rina
I resolve to step up the creativity that I put towards planning date nights with the wifey.
To acknowledge HIM in all my ways, and maybe to make a baby with my hot wife!
To start a blog and post at least once a week.
I want to read 25 fictional classics, 25 biographies, and 25 theological books by the end of the year.
I am going to start my teaching/speaking career in 2012. You know finally use my credentials!
My resolution is to improve my golf game.
I'm going to finally finish the resources I've promised to my readers!
To make discipline a focus of my life, and finally lose this extra weight.
Resolution.....ease back on reading all the Jared Wilson tweets and blog entries......."I just can't quit you"
To focus more on God's grace than on my sin.
My resolution is to plan for childcare more than 2 hours ahead of when I need it.
I hope to lose 20 pounds in the next year... So i guess that acutally means eating out less AND using the gym membership
Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
My New Year's resolution? To write. I've got accountability this year - a group blog that's counting on me to produce a weekly post, but I'm hoping to do more than the bare minimum and actually post on my own blog... and finish at least one thing that I started long ago.
My resolution is to finish reading all the books I purchased/received in 2011 before getting anymore in 2012. (with the exception of this book in the case that I receive it) :)
I've never done a New Year's Resolution and so this year's resolution will be to continue that practice.
I resolve to enter even more book giveaways next year.
Boy, it is a new day when Lifeway publishes a study on the seven deadly sins. What's next, a daily devotional of excerpts from the desert fathers?
Sleep at 10PM and wake up before 10AM, so much as I can help it by grace, every day.
lose 20 pounds before my daughter is born in April
I desire to be more honest with myself and to know the power of Christ Crucified.
to get a job that uses my skills
To loose weight, to blog more and to drive my convertible more.
To see as many teens as I can reach at Youth Dynamics come to know Christ in a real way.
Resolved: To never again come up empty-handed after four hours of attempting to think of the perfect comment.
I resolve to win more free stuff this year.
Resolved: To repent of all bitterness toward this blogger for not winning this draw. To rejoice in the grace of God for forgiveness and for gifting members of the Body to give us Gospel-centered resources to increase our love for and appreciation of Jesus.
To not make a New Year's resolution....seriously, they're too easy to break!
To read a book a week.
In 2012, I will run 2 marathons, and will break 5 hours.
1) Get more consistent with family worship
2) Put another book of the Bible to song
3) Reduce time spent online
elohimito@gmail.com
I resolve to find equal joy in pretty New England based and strangely teenage-ish New York based quarterbacks.
Study the Bible more than I study books about the Bible.
farr_tommy@hotmail.com
My 2010 goal was to really feel the truth of Psalm 39:4-5. I failed, so I'm at it again this year. I so dont want to waste my life.
I have gotten tired of filling my life with things that are either harmful or at best not eternally helpful, so this year I have decided to start filling my life by memorizing Scripture. I had never memorized more than a verse or two, here or there, but i decided to start small a few weeks ago by memorizing John's prologue (John 1:1-18), then I figured I could do more and am two-thirds through the Semon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), then I hope to movie on to one of Paul's shorter favorites of mine like Ephesians or Colossians, and then to something bigger, either Romans or a Gospel. I have talked about memorizing scripture for years, written papers about it at school, and told our students in youth ministry about it, but I am finally discovering how important and amazing it can be as I seek to know, love, and serve Christ. Hope everyone is blessed by God this New Year so we can be a blessing to others!
Lose my holiday weight!
...to start reading blogs when they post so as to not almost miss chances like this....
I resolve to love my wife and daughters better and to lead people in my local church as a family of servants on mission
UPDATE: GIVEAWAY WINNERS
Two winners with their resolutions are below:
Andy: I resolve to step up the creativity that I put towards planning date nights with the wifey.
David Qaoud: To read a book a week.
Andy and David, please email your preferred shipping addresses to jared AT gospeldrivenchurch DOT com, and I'll get your books to you asap.
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