One of the reasons that sin is so appealing is that it can masquerade as virtue. The most obvious of these is romantic and sexual love, aka lust. I am not saying that romantic and sexual love is evil, yet when it is devoid of agape, it is evil. Agape is the kind of love that is known for having the well being of the person being loved as its focus. It is wanting the very best for the other person, even if the lover must sacrifice to express it. I think all of us want real and lasting and holy love and that we are made for it. It is a simple fact that romantic and sexual love, based on lust, is a mere imitation of the real thing.
The sin of pride is a mere imitation of humility. Envy is a mere imitation of admiration. Greed imitates charity and generosity. Gluttony is a mere imitation of self-control. Anger is a mere imitation of forgiveness. Sloth is a mere imitation of zeal.
In our world and way of thinking today it is quite easy to speak of pride, envy, greed, gluttony, lust, anger, and sloth as wonderful and holy virtues. We don’t always use those exact words, but don’t we say that we should have pride in all that we do? Don’t envy, greed, desire, anger and laziness drive competition, a good thing? It seems that our economic system is based on sin as its motivation. Who can motivate people with virtues? Humility, kindness, charity, self-control, chastity, forgiveness and zeal, are not valued unless there is a financial reward.
It seems that world is turned upside down. All the excitement and fun seem to be on the sin side of things. What fun is there in being humble, kind, generous, sober, pure, patient and hard working? Non-believers have all the fun! They seem to be the ones who are truly alive. In the short-term sin seems to have the upper hand, but what happens when it becomes the dominate lifestyle? The Bible says that the wage of sin is death, and that true happiness only is found in God, following his teaching, and living a life of virtue.
Sin is addicting. In all addictions people seek satisfaction in sin. While it may be satisfying for a moment, in the end the fruit is destruction. The joy and satisfaction found in sin is a mere imitation of the eternal joy and satisfaction found in knowing Jesus and living a virtuous life.
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
