keeping up with the Jones's deadly sins

 Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12. Solomon doesn't EXACTLY say the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses", but he gives us the equivalent from his time. He literally says, "most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors."

Unfortunately, we Americans have forgotten the deadly sins. Many of us see lust, greed, envy, and pride as good things. We don't even know what gluttony or sloth mean. And we call wrath just "being real" or "telling it like it is". Hollywood sells Californication, as the Red Hot Chili Peppers say so eloquently while Gordon Gecko spells out in no uncertain terms in this speech how we as a country feel about greed and money. Almost every ad you see today will attempt to create envy in your mind. And we're all proud of being proud, whether we're proud Americans, proud of our sexual preference (whether that's gay OR straight), many of us even proud of being Christians of whatever brand we find ourselves. 

But once again Solomon in his wisdom tries to set us straight. Envy, sloth, pride, wrath, lust, greed, and gluttony will never bring us happiness. 

Here is a handy way to think of the deadly sins and their corresponding virtues:

These cardinal virtues will help us strive against the seven deadly sins. And the way you USE these virtues is by forming good habits. Many of us have habits that involve the seven deadly sins. Overeating. Not exercising. Sexual sins, including gawking at people in public, wearing immodest clothing, watching pornography, sexual activity with anyone besides your spouse, and self pleasure. Hoarding, and not being generous. Harboring anger and grudges instead of forgiving. And being self-obsessed narcissists who make everything about US instead of realizing that it is all about Him.

How do break our bad habits? By forming good ones. Your habits are like little chisels - you use them to literally shape yourself into the person that you want to be. Exercise regularly, daily if you can. Eat moderately and healthily. Practice generosity and patience. Be chaste, whether as a religious priest or nun, as a married person, or as a single person. All of these habits will make you into the person God is calling you to be - and someone that you will rejoice in being.

Let's keep our ears open to Solomon's advice. He's been WAY down every one of these roads. And he can tell you that the deadly sins will, without a doubt, NOT bring you happiness.

God, thanks for teaching us about the deadly sins and their corresponding virtues, from listening to the wisdom of Solomon.