🌿 Are They Character Defects... or Sin?

One of the most eye-opening discoveries I made in recovery was realizing that alcoholism wasn't my only problem.

Getting sober removed the alcohol.

It did not automatically remove my fear.

It did not remove my pride.

It did not remove my need to control people and outcomes.

It did not remove my selfishness, procrastination, people pleasing, perfectionism, or resentment.

Recovery has taught me that these are what Alcoholics Anonymous calls character defects. As a Christian, I also recognize that many of these are what Scripture calls sin or the works of the flesh. Whether you use the language of recovery or the language of faith, the goal is the same.

Transformation.

God isn't simply trying to make us sober.

He is making us new.

What Are Character Defects?

Character defects are unhealthy attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and patterns of thinking that block us from God's will, damage our relationships, and keep us spiritually sick.

Some of the most common character defects include:

• Pride

• Ego

• Selfishness

• Self-centeredness

• Fear

• Resentment

• Anger

• Bitterness

• Unforgiveness

• Dishonesty

• Manipulation

• Control

• People pleasing

• Approval seeking

• Perfectionism

• Impatience

• Judgment

• Criticism

• Gossip

• Envy

• Jealousy

• Greed

• Lust

• Arrogance

• Entitlement

• Laziness

• Procrastination

• Avoidance

• Denial

• Blame

• Victim mentality

• Self-pity

• Worry

• Distrust

• Impulsivity

• Revenge

• Stubbornness

• Cynicism

• Isolation

• Defensiveness

• Ingratitude

• Unwillingness

• Intolerance

• Harshness

• Lack of humility

• Lack of compassion

None of us are immune.

The goal isn't to become ashamed of them.

The goal is to become aware of them so God can transform them.

The Seven Deadly Sins

For centuries, Christian teachers identified seven root sins that often give birth to many other sinful attitudes and behaviors. They are called the Seven Deadly Sins because they become the roots from which many other character defects grow.

Pride

Pride is placing ourselves above God or others. It says, "I know better." Pride refuses correction, resists humility, and keeps us dependent on ourselves instead of God.

Greed

Greed is an excessive desire for more. More money. More possessions. More recognition. More power. It is never satisfied because contentment cannot be found in things.

Lust

Lust is using people for selfish pleasure rather than loving them with purity, dignity, and respect. It turns people into objects instead of children of God.

Envy

Envy is grieving someone else's blessings instead of celebrating them. It whispers, "Why them and not me?" Gratitude destroys envy.

Gluttony

Gluttony is more than overeating. It is any unhealthy overindulgence that attempts to fill a spiritual emptiness with physical satisfaction. Food, shopping, entertainment, social media, work, and even approval can become forms of gluttony.

Wrath

Wrath is uncontrolled anger that seeks revenge instead of reconciliation. It destroys peace, relationships, and often ourselves long before it hurts anyone else.

Sloth

Sloth is often misunderstood as simple laziness.

Biblically, sloth is much deeper.

It is the unwillingness to do the good we know we should do.

It is spiritual apathy.

It is avoiding obedience.

It is delaying growth.

It is refusing to use the gifts God has given us.

Is Procrastination Sloth?

Sometimes.

But not always.

Many people think procrastination is simply poor time management.

Often it is much deeper than that.

Sometimes procrastination is rooted in fear.

"What if I fail?"

Sometimes it is rooted in perfectionism.

"I'll start when everything is perfect."

Sometimes it is rooted in shame.

"I'm not good enough."

Sometimes it is rooted in overwhelm.

"I don't even know where to begin."

And sometimes...

It is sloth.

"I know what God is asking me to do, but I keep putting it off."

That might sound like:

"I'll call my sponsor tomorrow."

"I'll make my amends later."

"I'll start my Fourth Step next month."

"I'll begin exercising on Monday."

"I'll write the book someday."

"I'll spend time with God when life slows down."

Recovery teaches us to ask a deeper question.

What is driving the procrastination?

Because procrastination is often the symptom.

Fear.

Pride.

Perfectionism.

Avoidance.

Control.

Unbelief.

Those are often the real roots.

Recovery Teaches Us to Look Beneath the Behavior

Our actions are rarely the real problem.

Our hearts are.

AA teaches us to look honestly at ourselves.

Scripture teaches us to examine our hearts.

Both invite us to stop blaming everyone else and begin asking:

• What am I afraid of?

• What am I trying to control?

• What defect is driving this behavior?

• Am I relying on myself or on God?

Awareness is the beginning of transformation.

The Good News

Character defects are not your identity.

They are not your destiny.

They are simply areas where God wants to do His deepest work.

Recovery is not about becoming perfect.

It is about becoming willing.

Every day I ask God to reveal what still lives inside me that keeps me from becoming the woman He created me to be.

And one defect at a time...

He faithfully transforms me.

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Reveal the character defects that keep me from becoming the person You created me to be.

Give me the willingness to see them honestly.

The humility to surrender them.

The courage to take the next right action.

Replace my fear with faith.

My pride with humility.

My procrastination with obedience.

My self will with Your will.

Continue transforming me into the man or woman You have called me to become.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

🌸 The Healing Cheff

Recovery • Faith • Healing • Transformation

TheHealingCheff.com

SheChoseHerself2012

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