Spiritual Sinkholes Part 2: The Nature and Names of Sinkholes

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” - Romans 7:21

Spiritual sinkholes are a common occurrence in our spiritual journey.

Over the past week, we learned that, although we are sometimes blind to them, spiritual sinkholes have serious repercussions that affect our interactions with others. We wind up trapped and sucked into them and cannot see a way out.

Did you know there are more spiritual sinkholes than you realize? Many of us have things below the surface that only God can see. God is aware of what is happening, even when we think everything is fine.

These sinkholes are a fact of life for all of us. They are distinctive, personal, and frequently undetected, lurking beneath the surface until it's too late, just as the Apostle Paul stated in Romans 7:21, "When I would do good, evil is always present." Our lives could implode due to their ability to bring about spiritual and moral collapse. These sinkholes in our lives constantly develop, overlap, and lead to new ones.

Today, we'll look at a few typical sinkholes, their names, and the damage they cause in our spiritual lives.

Sinkhole No. 1: Pride

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

Let's start with the sinkhole that lies at the center of all other sinkholes: pride. The Bible mentions that pride is the “original” sin. Pride makes us think we are independent, superior to others, and do not need support or mercy. It keeps us from admitting our mistakes and asking for help when needed. Pride is a dangerous sinkhole that can lead to many other sinkholes, so we must be careful about letting pride in our hearts. How do we combat pride then? We do the opposite. We humble ourselves before God and before other people. By doing this, we rid ourselves of self-righteousness.

Sinkhole No. 2 : Greed

“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” - Luke 12:15

Greed is the unquenchable yearning for more, and it is the second sinkhole. Though it makes fulfillment claims, the result is unhappiness. We are meant to store treasures in heaven and not here on earth. We must remember that the basis of all evil is the love of money, which can lead to many other sins like discontentment and selfishness.

When the drive for money becomes our motivation, we sink into corruption and depart from our moral values and spiritual convictions. The Bible encourages us to be generous, content, and thankful in every situation to overcome greed.

Sinkhole No. 3: Envy

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” - James 3:14-16

Envy is the poisonous desire for what others have. It is a sinkhole that frequently goes unnoticed yet has the power to wreak havoc on our lives. When we envy what others possess, we develop a toxic admiration that can harm our relationships and motivate dangerous behavior. James forewarns us about envy's adverse effects and risks on our character.

Sinkhole No. 4: Lust

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” - Matthew 5:28-29

Lust simply means wanting things we shouldn't. It can manifest in various ways, including sexual cravings, power, or pleasure. Selfishness is at the heart of these passions, which breaks our hearts and causes us to sacrifice our morals. We need to be on the lookout for purity and self-control while avoiding these desires.

Sinkhole No. 5: Anger and Offense

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” - Proverbs 19:11

Anger and offense are sinkholes that ruin relationships. Hence, they are included as sinkhole number five. We put walls between ourselves and others when we let our anger rule us and take offense at everything said. To repair damaged relationships, we must confront our resentment, provide forgiveness, and work toward reconciliation.

Sinkhole No. 6: Gluttony

“For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” - Proverbs 23:21

Gluttony is the excessive pursuit of pleasure. It is the unrestrained pursuit of happiness, whether it manifests itself as excessive consumption of food or money or indulgence in extramarital affairs. The lack of self-control resulting from this sinkhole can harm our bodily, mental, and spiritual health.

Sinkhole No. 7. : Slothfulness

“Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,  but the diligent man will get precious wealth.” - Proverbs 12:27

The seventh sinkhole is slothfulness - the temptation to be idle, passive, and unproductive. It is spiritual apathy that stunts growth. It obstructs our spiritual development and limits our potential. Instead of succumbing to the temptation to become complacent, we must fight the inclination and work diligently to pursue our connection with God and serve others actively.

Conclusion:

We have looked at eight major spiritual pitfalls that can cause the foundation of our faith to crumble, but by seeking the truth and fostering our relationship with God, we can regain our footing.

Spiritual sinkholes are sneaky but harmful traps that might jeopardize our spiritual health. They can gradually destroy our faith, character, and connection with God if left unattended, just as physical sinkholes can suddenly open up and engulf everything in their path.

It is crucial to stay alert as we move through life, recognizing and addressing the spiritual pitfalls that threaten our path. Let's resolve to routinely check our hearts and acknowledge the transforming influence of faith. We may avoid the pitfalls that aim to erode our spiritual vitality with God's grace and unyielding resolve, and we can firmly walk on the solid foundation of God's love and truth. May we persevere in our quest for a thriving spiritual life, serving as an example to others.