Vice And VirtueSample

The discussion of vices and virtues leads to the question: how do you diagnose and heal a sin-sick heart? Martin Luther (1483-1546) described sin as humanity’s perpetual state of being curved inward on self. This narcissistic bent to think about self, talk about self, and examine self is the directional aim of sin’s compass. 

Another Church Father, John Calvin (1509-1564), said that the heart’s purpose is to worship. But because of our fallen nature it acts as a perpetual idol factory. It constantly looks for things to worship other than God, other entities to ascribe worth, value, and dignity to. Sin often leads us to find harmful, lesser loves.

If we give into sin, and don’t confess it, theologian John Owen warns, “the custom of sinning takes away the sense of it, and the course of the world takes away the shame of it.”¹ 

A desire to center one’s heart on Christ, as the sole satisfier of our affections, is what drove many of our historical Church Fathers to find ways to diagnose sin, confess it, heal it. This was done through turning worship and attention back to Christ and away from the self or any idol. 

The biggest problem of human nature, however, is that we’re often too blind to recognize the sins we struggle with. How can we work toward a freedom-producing virtue if we don’t even recognize we’re in bondage to the vice? 

In Psalm 139, David admits to this fatal flaw in his own character when he cries out:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

You too can pray this prayer as you read through the scriptures for Day Three. Trust that your loving Father will gently uncover and heal places of brokenness within you. All it takes is a willing heart. 

¹ John Owen, The Mortification of Sin in Believers, vol. 6, The Works of John Owen (London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1965), 23.