The seven deadly sins have long been a way of describing patterns of brokenness that turn hearts away from God. While each sin takes a different form, whether through pride, anger or greed, they all point to the same root problem: humanity’s need for redemption through Jesus Christ.
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In a recent video, Joe Kirby of Off the Kirb Ministries used a creative approach to explain these sins, pairing them with emojis to help modern audiences visualize them. But more importantly, he reminded viewers that every one of these sins, though destructive, can be defeated by Christ’s power on the cross.
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Here’s a closer look at each of the seven deadly sins, with Kirby’s insights included:
- Pride
- Pride is often considered the root of all sin because it exalts self above God and others. It convinces people that they are good enough on their own and blinds them to their need for mercy. Scripture shows pride was the sin that caused Lucifer’s fall and continues to keep many from seeking Christ.
- “The big one. The sin that says, ‘I am the main character and everyone else is just background extras.’ It’s often called the queen of sins because it’s where all the others sprout from. It’s the sin that got Lucifer kicked out of heaven. And it’s the sin that very often stops people from coming to Jesus because they believe that they are already good people.”
- Greed
- Greed is an insatiable craving for more, whether money, possessions or power. It promises satisfaction but never delivers, leading to a cycle of discontentment and spiritual emptiness.
- “The one that whispers, ‘Just a little more and then I’ll be happy.’ But spoiler alert, you won’t. Do me a favor. Do not drink from that cup. I promise you, there is not enough money and power on earth for you to be satisfied.”
- Envy
- Envy is resentment toward others for what they have, coupled with dissatisfaction over one’s own blessings. It breeds bitterness, steals joy and prevents gratitude for the gifts God has already given.
- “Jealousy turns you bitter real quick and it makes it nearly impossible to see the current blessings that God has placed in your life. Because as President Theodore Roosevelt once said, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.’”
- Lust
- Lust is a distorted desire that seeks pleasure outside God’s design for love, marriage, and purity. It promises thrill but leaves emptiness, growing strongest when hidden in secrecy.
- “It’s the one that promises thrill but leaves you empty. It’s the sin that never satisfies and the one that no one ever likes to talk about. But we must bring this one to light because out of all of these deadly sins, this is the one that grows in the dark.”
- Gluttony
- While often thought of as overeating, gluttony extends to overindulgence in anything—whether food, entertainment, or even social media. It places appetites above discipline and allows consumption to rule life.
- “We often think of overeating, but it’s more than that. It’s anything that we consume in excess, even Netflix or scrolling on videos all day long. The Bible does warn about those whose god is their belly and whose appetite rules their lives.”
- Wrath (Anger)
- Not all anger is wrong, even Jesus displayed righteous anger at injustice. But wrath refers to uncontrolled rage that lashes out over minor offenses, causing harm to self and others.
- “You probably know that not all anger is wrong. For instance, being angry at an injustice is actually a good thing. And Jesus Himself showed righteous anger when He drove the money changers out of the holy temple. So, what type of anger are we talking about? We’re describing an anger which is out of control, like losing your temper over minor things.”
- Sloth
- Sloth goes beyond laziness, it’s neglecting to do the good and necessary things God calls us to. It wastes time, avoids responsibility, and robs a person of living out their God-given purpose.
- “Sloth. This isn’t just laziness, though. It’s ignoring the good things that we should be doing. Like when you procrastinate for three hours instead of doing your homework or your chores. We sometimes go easy on this sin and even find it funny. But if you think it’s a joke, just read the book of Proverbs because God’s word calls this person a slugard and shows us that the slothful person effectively achieves nothing with their life.”
The Struggle and the Hope
Kirby reminded his viewers that sin grows like a seed into a destructive tree, but Jesus has the power to cut it down. “Your heart is like a garden. And there are seeds that were planted… which eventually one day would grow into a monstrous tree. But the Lord Jesus Christ took his strong axe and he did chop it down for me.”
The good news is that the cross of Christ paid for every sin: past, present and future. “It’s not just seven of the deadly sins that were paid for at Calvary, but thousands and thousands, millions and billions. Every sin that was ever committed was nailed to that cross with Jesus Christ. And he paid the price for those sins with his very blood.”
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For those who feel burdened by guilt, Kirby emphasized the new identity believers receive through Christ: “When God looks at us, he doesn’t see our daily failures anymore. He sees us as pure as snow because Christ’s blood has washed us clean and has made us righteous in God’s eyes.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
