[Joe 6-pack]

CS Lewis noted that each of the seven deadly sins are perversions, distortions or grotesque exaggerations of normal, healthy gifts from God. For example, God gives us hunger so we know when to nourish our bodies, and indeed breaking bread with our loved ones and giving thanks for our nourishment bring us closer to each other and to God. When we overindulge, of course, we take that gift and blessing and abuse its Divine purpose. The flip side of that coin is that if we ignore our hunger altogether, and never indulge it, we pretty quickly starve to death.

Similarly, God gives us a sex drive to bond couples and families, and perpetuate humanity. Because it is a powerful drive, it is easily perverted and redirected away from its intended purpose.

IMHO, these natural tendencies are better viewed as gifts to be cherished, respected and applied in the context God intended, rather than resisted or, "overcome." Letting them run rampant and control us, is of course, a grave sin, but locking them away and repressing them altogether is neither what God intended.

Luckily, God has given us an, "operator's manual," that pretty much guides us through the proper uses and application of these impulses, instincts and drives He provided us as standard equipment. They are things to be channeled and tamed, not ignored or repressed altogether.

[sr4402]

not ignored or repressed altogether

So to the addict who is hooked on crack, a little bit is not bad? Or to the sex addict who is hiding his affair, a secret rendezvous (with someone not his wife) is not bad?

Is Christ wrong that a 'little leaven spoils the whole lump'?

No, there are no halfway measures to deal with temptations and lusts. Halfway measures are total failures with both of these and are just as deadly.

[spankalib]

Thank you for that observation Joe, it helps.