Today on Facebook I was tagged in a discussion about the Illuminati, in reference to Kanye and Jay Z as rappers. One person on the thread brought up the fact that Kanye stated the phrase, "I have sold my soul to the devil" and proclaimed that this was irresponsible, as children who are impressionable listen to his music and therefore might be lured into believing in Satan and the likes. My response verbatim was this:
Kanye is a man fortunate enough to share the thoughts in his head with the public who then purchases his music (majority white children) and therefore this gives us the right to judge him because he said the phrase 'sold my soul to the devil'? Just because he has made it to celebrity status we now expect him to clean up his act and fly right because your children are listening to his music? That is why there are different genre's, buy christian, gospel and soft rock if that's the case. Also shouldn't the parents be equipping their kids with the common sense they need to differentiate between this, that and the third, fact from fiction, TV from reality?
Now I do not consider myself a religious fanatic or religious being by any stretch of the imagination, I am, however spiritual meaning that I believe in a higher power, that being God & Jesus and I do believe in obeying the Ten Commandments and in turn trying to live my life accordingly. It has been my experience that those who quote the Bible with every breath and push their religions beliefs on others are the main one's lacking in humility and this so called 'walk' that they follow. My thinking is, "Let the man with no sin cast the first stone." End Quote. I believe we are all subject to contradiction of our actions versus our words but it is up to us as individuals and those that love us to make the correction. Every man and woman has their right to their own opinion but it is simply asinine to tell someone else how to live their life, you can only suggest what you may deem as the best choices and even if you are a so called expert in that area that does not make your opinion triumphant over the others.
With that said I thought to discuss the Seven Deadly Sins for good measure.
Why bother?
Before even beginning a discussion of the Seven Deadly Sins, also known as "capital sins," it may be useful to discuss a few differences among Christians on this subject. Some people feel it is better to take a more positive approach to faith and not dwell on sin. Others believe all sin is equally repugnant to God, and so any classification of sins is wrong. Still others just want to forget the whole thing since they are saved and God loves them and really doesn't care about all this "stuff."The following list of the deadly sins may lead to surprising self discovery. Bear in mind:
- Friends will almost never volunteer this information.
- If they do, we will not accept it.
- God forgives anything, even repeatedly, so do not be afraid.
1. Pride
Seeing ourselves as we are and not comparing ourselves to others is humility. Pride and vanity are competitive. If someone else's pride really bothers you, you have a lot of pride.
2. Greed
This is about more than money. Generosity means letting others get the credit or praise. It is giving without having expectations of the other person. Greed wants to get its "fair share" or a bit more.
3. Envy
"Love is patient, love is kind…" Love actively seeks the good of others for their sake. Envy resents the good others receive or even might receive. Envy is almost indistinguishable from pride at times.
4. Anger
Kindness means taking the tender approach, with patience and compassion. Anger is often our first reaction to the problems of others. Impatience with the faults of others is related to this.
5. Lust
Self control and self mastery prevent pleasure from killing the soul by suffocation. Legitimate pleasures are controlled in the same way an athlete's muscles are: for maximum efficiency without damage. Lust is the self-destructive drive for pleasure out of proportion to its worth. Sex, power, or image can be used well, but they tend to go out of control.
6. Gluttony
Temperance accepts the natural limits of pleasures and preserves this natural balance. This does not pertain only to food, but to entertainment and other legitimate goods, and even the company of others.
7. Sloth
Zeal is the energetic response of the heart to God's commands. The other sins work together to deaden the spiritual senses so we first become slow to respond to God and then drift completely into the sleep of complacency.
May you all enjoy your lives as you see fit....
Lipstick Diva,
