Hi,
I would like help with hating sin. I am a recent convert (a little more than a year old). I attend Mass regularly, and try to go to daily mass at less once a week but I feel stagnate in my faith. I think the problem is that while I don’t do “big” sins, I do a lot of little sins. Those little sins are stopping (or slowing) my spiritual growth.
I have a problem with gluttony (food) and thinking inappropriate thoughts (many times when I"m bored or about to go to sleep). I also have a strong tendency to judge others (I think they are judging me). In regards to gluttony, I cannot see why God would care that I overeat and eat unhealthy foods. In regards to the inappropriate thoughts, are thoughts even sins?
If you could, can you please help me remember why gluttony (although possibly a small sin in comparison to other sins) IS a big deal and that I am hurting God with my actions? I really need a reminder.
Thank you
Seeking_Faith:
The great part of all of this is that you’re not alone! I, as well as 6 billion other people around the world, suffer from these sins every day. (This doesn’t make it excusable, though
).
There are explicit details in the bible regarding what you wrote:
I also have a strong tendency to judge others (I think they are judging me).
Just because others are judging you does not make it right for you to judge them. Two wrongs never make a right. As Jesus said:
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” - 5:39
As far as judging others:
Matthew 7:1-7:6
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.” - Luke 6:37
“But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” - Romans 14:10
Turning the other cheek is extremely hard to do, but is very rewarding. One thing that you should do (don’t have to, but highly suggested) is to pray for your enemies. Not that they may triumph, but that they may see the errors of their ways and become better people. But, if you pray for your enemies’ faults, pray for forgiveness of your faults, because you are judging others by passing blame. It is up to God to judge Man, not up to Man to judge one-another. Realizing this is the first step to living peacefully. Of course, there are people that you’ll never get along with, no matter what, but then why associate with them? They’re not worth your time.
In regards to gluttony, I cannot see why God would care that I overeat and eat unhealthy foods.
God gave you the gift of life. In creating you in His image, he made your body something sacred, and expects you to keep it sacred.
“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” - Proverbs 23:21
“But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” - Luke 12:45-46
“18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” - Philippians 3:18-19
Also, overeating and eating junkfood is just plain unhealthy. Sure, it tastes great, and it feels good to be full…but you’ve got to ask yourself if you really need it, or if you just want it. Controlling how and what you eat is the first step in controlling other aspects of your life with ease. I can assure you that the questions you have, as well as the thoughts you have, stem from eating too much and eating too unhealthily. I can’t convey it very well over the internet, but I must STRESS, from personal experience, that a healthy diet and constant exercise will make you happy. Period. It takes a while to get into the mentality (because it’s hard work), but trust me-you will be happier than you’ve ever felt.
In regards to the inappropriate thoughts, are thoughts even sins?
God knows all and sees all, including our thoughts. When we pray, we pray for forgiveness of wronging in
thought, word, and deed.
Thoughts are much harder to control than actions and words, but it is possible. I’m not particularly sure where thoughts are expressed in the Bible, but thoughts lead to words and actions if not moderated properly. When an evil or inappropriate thought starts entering your mind, pray to God or a Saint for intervention. I’ve found that the best ways to expultiate bad thoughts are by saying the Hail Mary or Jesus Prayer continuously until you’re thinking of nothing but the prayer.
You must realize that it’s all a matter of self-control, and you have GOT to discipline yourself if you want to elude the devil’s temptations. A good start is to rid unhealthy foods from your house and buy only healthy food, so then you’ll be forced to eat the latter. Stop watching TV, and use the internet only for personal reasons such as research and email, and don’t browse to where you might be led to bad websites. Read, take a walk, start a hobby or craft, or exercise in place of these. TV and the internet are rife with temptating messages. Even childrens’ TV channels have innuendos in them.
Another good step is to keep a journal. Write down your thoughts, and how you believe that you can better yourself and keep them from coming.
Remember, God gives you choices like these not because He’s trying to trick you, but because He’s testing you, and tries to give you gentle pushes in the proper direction. If you realize His pushes and follow where He leads, then He will make Himself more obvious to you. If you deny the gifts of God, you are denying God Himself-and this is a grave sin.
I hope this has been of some help to you.
Erich
