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Hit List: Taking Aim at the Seven Deadly Sins, by Brian G.Hedges, Foreword by Bob Lepine
Endorsed by Tedd Tripp, Brian Croft, Paula Hendricks, Alex Crain, and more.
The most famous faces of sin are the Seven Deadly Sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust. Not merely corrupting vices in themselves, these seven are gateway sins leading to countless others. They are the leading undercover operatives for the world, the flesh, and the devil—that evil complex of powers arrayed against our souls. And while we may recognize these sins by their names, we are often misled by the subtlety of their methods and ways. These sins are masters of disguise, adept at masking their true nature in charades of harmlessness, acceptability, and fun.
In Hit List, Brian Hedges helps us take aim at the seven deadly sins by providing detailed dossiers for each one and equipping us with rich gospel resources for replacing vice with the virtue of Christ.
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But in the words of Cornelius Plantinga Jr., “sin has a thousand faces.” It is one thing to oppose sin in principle, quite another to actually do the bloody work of crucifying specific sin patterns in our lives. Sometimes these patterns are difficult to detect. Always they fight back, tooth and nail, mounting vehement resistance in counter-maneuvers of a variety and complexity that would send General Schwarzkopf’s mind spinning like a tilt-a-whirl.
The most famous faces of sin are the Seven Deadly Sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust. Not merely corrupting vices in themselves, these seven are gateway sins leading to countless others. They are the leading undercover operatives for the world, the flesh, and the devil—that evil complex of powers arrayed against our souls. And while we may recognize these sins by their names, we are often misled by the subtlety of their methods and ways. These sins are masters of disguise, adept at masking their true nature in charades of harmlessness, acceptability, and fun.
In Hit List, Brian Hedges helps us take aim at the seven deadly sins by providing detailed dossiers for each one and equipping us with rich gospel resources for replacing vice with the virtue of Christ.
Author
Brian Hedges is lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Niles, Michigan. He has written a number of books, including Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin, Christ Formed in You: The Power of Gospel for Personal Change, Christ All-Sufficient, and Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline.
Endorsements
“Hit List is a great book…readable and thoroughly biblical.”
—Tedd Tripp
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“Hit List is a great book! Hedges brings the historic framework of the seven deadly sins into the 21st century. Brian’s reading and research into historic Christian theology enriches this readable and thoroughly biblical examination and treatment of ‘the big seven.’”
—Tedd Tripp, author, conference speaker
“I am grateful that Brian Hedges has tackled the subject of our sin, first in his very helpful book Licensed to Kill, and now in Hit List. His previous work addresses our need to mortify and not attempt to manage our sin. He gives wise pastoral counsel on how we can ‘put to death what is earthly’ in us. This new volume provides the same kind of helpful guidance. You will want to wear steel toed boots as you read. Be prepared to wince.”
—Bob Lepine, Co-Host, FamilyLife Today; Pastor, Redeemer Community Church of Little Rock (from the Foreword)
“Satan destroys by cloaking his schemes in darkness. Hit List is a blazing floodlight—both convicting and gleaming with gospel clarity. For the Christian soldier eager to win the daily war against sin, Hit List is a welcome field manual.”
—Alex Crain, Editor, Christianity.com
“With the exception of the Puritan John Owen, no other single author has helped me to understand the mortification of sin like Brian Hedges has. Brian, himself an avid reader of Owen, gives readers a clear picture not simply of the sinfulness of sin, but of the real means to fighting it, namely the gospel. This short book is packed with the rich theology, practical wisdom, and probing questions needed to make it useful for both personal growth and biblical counseling. I will be making use of it for years.”
—Dave Dunham, Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Counseling, Cornerstone Baptist Church
“Brian Hedges goes where few dare to go: He takes on the classic seven deadly sins in Hit List, and does not just biblically explain them well, but also gives theologically solid and practically insightful gospel solutions for them. This author’s refined writing style and pastoral wisdom, which measures well beyond his years, oozes from this entire book. For those desiring a pastoral guide through these often misunderstood root sins that will leave you fixed upon the cross of Christ, you have found the right man and the right book for the task.”
—Brian Croft, author; Senior Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church; Founder, Practical Shepherding
“Quick quiz for you: Do you know how to distinguish between sinful anger and righteous anger? Do you know what’s at the root of your pride every single time? How about the surprising cures for gluttony? Hit List includes answers to all these questions and so much more. It’s not just an academic read, though. Brian includes application questions at the end of each chapter because none of us are immune to the disease of sin. If you’ve ever heard you shouldn’t envy (or get angry or lust or …), but you don’t know exactly what those sins look like in your everyday life—let alone the cure—then Hit List is for you. Brian has done his research, and I’m personally grateful for his insights on what’s at the root of specific sins I deal with…and how I can break free. Read, repent, and live free!”
—Paula Hendricks, Writing and Editorial Manager, Revive Our Hearts; author of Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Girl: On Her Journey from Neediness to Freedom
“We live in a culture in which spirituality is on the rise, including a resurgence in mysticism, Gnosticism, and every other -ism. Many are confused about what they believe and why it matters, and sin is often minimized or hidden. Hedges draws on the best wisdom of the church to help readers better grasp the seven deadly sins and how the gospel frees God’s people from them. As Hit List blows away misconceptions about the sinfulness of man, readers will be captivated by the magnificence of what Jesus has done so sinners can put their sin to death and grow in the grace of God. This is an excellent and needed book. It can convict you of your sinfulness while pointing you to the sufficiency of the finished work of the Savior—Jesus Christ.”
—Dave Jenkins, Executive Director, Servants of Grace Ministries; Executive Editor, Theology for Life
“If you’re dying from a disease, of course you want to understand what’s killing you. But even more than diagnosis, you want a cure. With characteristic depth, Brian unpacks an ancient formulation of our soul-sickness, while giving us the antidote of grace and gospel. This book is medicine for the soul!”
—Del Fehsenfeld III, Senior Editor, Revive magazine
“This is a clear, vivid, insightful introduction to the seven deadly sins. Hedges argues convincingly that reflection on the capital vices—and the virtues that fight them—is central to Christian spiritual formation. Hit List is a richly rewarding read.”
—Nathan King, Philosophy Department, Whitworth University
“Brian Hedges’ books seem to have three things in common. They are filled with rich truth and are theologically precise. They are clear and understandable. They are practical and helpful. Each of those things is true of this book. Like Brian’s other titles, this one is personally and pastorally useful. I make it a point to read everything he writes.”
—Ken Pierpont Sr., Pastor, Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor, MI
Blog Review –
Heavy on Scripture and its practical application to our life
After reading Brian G. Hedges’s Licensed to Kill: A Field Guide to Mortifying Sin, I knew that I’d have to pick up a copy of his follow up title, Hit List: Taking Aim at the Seven Deadly Sins. The first book was equally scriptural and practical, and I knew that if the sequel was anything like it, I’d walk away a little wiser and a little better prepared to wage war on my sin and put it to death.
Although these titles sound a like a collection of lost Steven Seagal movies, Hit List is light on macho war references and heavy on Scripture and its practical application to our life. Hedges says early on, “One driving conviction of this book is that all our moral, behavioral, and relational problems are really the results of much deeper spiritual issues.” He uses illustrations that bring out his points so well that I’m a little jealous; I wish I could use illustrations in my preaching and teaching as well as he does (envy is the second of the Seven Deadly Sins, so it’s a good thing I’m reading this book!).
The Seven Deadly Sins have been recognized by Christians and non-Christians since medieval times, and it’s not hard to see why they’re relevant today. We all have to fight them to some extent in our lives. Even if we think we’re not tempted to sin in all seven ways, Hedges shows us with Scripture how subtle these sins can be and shows us how to identify and kill each of the seven:
Pride
Envy
Wrath
Sloth
Greed
Gluttony
Lust
I would recommend getting both Licensed to Kill and Hit List to read one right after the other. “If Licensed to Kill was a field manual for how to kill sin,” the author says, “Hit List provides detailed dossiers on seven of our most dangerous enemies.” With helpful and introspective questions that follow each chapter, the stage is set for working through this “hit list” with a friend or small group. This book will show you how to take aim at these sins in your life, and rather than simply exercising greater will power, Hedges calls us to “draw on the resources that are already ours through our union with Christ in his death and resurrection.”
I received this book from Cruciform Press for the purpose of review.
Andrew Wencl
Blog Review –
“A quick read and a convicting one.”
The 7 Deadly Sins
Though these are not necessarily addressed as such in the Bible, the list of the 7 deadly sins has been around for many years. What makes these sins considered so deadly is that generally they are at the root of many other sins. Wrath or anger leads to bitterness, revenge or other sins. Lust leads to sexual immorality and pride leads to selfishness, while gluttony produces ingratitude or discontent. Most of us struggle with at least one of these sins in our lives.
This book takes a look at each of these sins, giving examples of how they are manifested in our lives and then giving steps of how we can overcome them. The 7 deadly sins are listed as pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony and lust. In a quick overview, the author tackles each sin and goes beyond our initial idea of what the sin is and describes in further detail how we may fall into this sin without realizing it. For example, often people associate gluttony with over-eating. But gluttony can also be making food our idol or using it to fill an emptiness in our lives rather than turning to God.
A quick read and a convicting one—challenging the Christian to address these sins. A practical book for any believer to help in our daily struggle against the sin in our lives.
“Seeing sin more clearly as the foolish and fatal attempt to find satisfaction apart from God should provoke both sorrow and hope in our hearts.”
“This is a helpful working definition of pride. Pride is thinking much about one’s self and much of one’s self.”
“Is not the most effective way of bridling my delight in being made much of, to focus on making much of God?”
“The great secret to humility is not to focus on yourself at all, but to fill your mind and heart with the glory of God revealed in the sin-conquering death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
“sloth is characterized by carelessness, unwillingness to act, half-hearted effort, and becoming easily discouraged by any possible difficulty.”
“Gluttony is the prioritization of our bodily appetites over spiritual reality. Gluttony is a worship disorder.”
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher Cruciform Press in exchange for my review.
Debi, Sojourner: Between Two Worlds
Amazon Review –
Convicting and yet filled with the greatest hope of all! This book takes a hard look at sin, calls it what it is and gives it a curing dose of the GOSPEL.
Jill, in a 5-star review on Amazon
Amazon Review –
Easy quick and interesting book that reminds us of the root of our disks. Filled with scripture and quotes the author grabs and keeps your state.
Rhonda, in a 5-star review on Amazon
Amazon Review –
Appreciated the books brevity and yet insightful essential, it was great to see this book tackles where most sin arises from.
Lawrence, in a 4-star review on Amazon
Amazon Review –
Excellent!
William, in a 5-star review on Amazon
Blog Review –
“Out of the more than 100 books I have read and reviewed this year, Hedges’ effort tops them all.”
When it comes to sin we are all guilty. Furthermore, we know we are not supposed to sin but yet we so often fall prey to falling short of God’s expectations for us. Our daily list of sins is likely rather lengthy. The question is do we understand the how and why of sin’s entanglement into so many areas of our lives and more importantly, how to sever its hold and influence. Brian Hedges, in his latest book Hit List, explores the seven deadly sins which form the crux of where all sins find their root.
First off, let me say I do not often make the statement that a book is a must read, other than the Bible of course. With that said, let me begin this review by stating that out of the more than 100 books I have read and reviewed this year, Hedges’ effort tops them all. From the first page to the final thoughts in this book, I found myself informed, challenged, and spurred to deal with the pernicious seven deadly sins and their progeny. Hedges masterfully guides the reader through each of the seven deadly sins, exploring in a scholarly manner what each sin is all about while providing the reader with biblical truth on how to deal with those issues in their life.
I was truly amazed at how much information is packed into this little over 100 page book. Hedges engages a number of respected authors, digging into the history of theological insight regarding the seven deadly sins of pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust. While the seven deadly sins was something I had heard of for quite some time, I was honestly quite clueless as to the background of how this list was created and why these particular sins were considered by many to be the gateway drug if you will to so many of the sinful behaviors we observe and participate in on a daily basis. Essentially, these seven deadly sins are the most wanted when it comes to rebellious actions against a holy God.
Since Hedges’ entire book is so excellent, let me focus on a couple of highlights, the first being as noted earlier, the obvious research that went into writing this book. Hedges does a marvelous job of weaving some valuable quotes into his presentation of the material. What this demonstrates is that he reveals to the reader the consistent opinion of theologians both present and from days past on the issue of the seven deadly sins. The only issue I have with that is now I want to go out and purchase all of the books Hedges cites! Of course that is not necessarily a bad thing now is it?
Second, there is no fluff in this book. Every page contains hard hitting, informative and useful information. After reading what Hedges has to say, the reader will have received a history lesson on the seven deadly sins, a primer on what each sin is all about, why we should avoid those sins at all costs, and what Scripture says we are to do about these particular sins. For instance, in the case of sloth, Hedges aptly notes “As an untilled field lying fallow becomes a seedbed for a wild crop of weeds, so a slothful heart becomes fertile ground for vice.” I would submit most believe slothfulness only applies to lazy people, those who sit on the couch and watch television all day long. Hedges smashes that incorrect perception, declaring “sloth is dangerous because it stunts our growth in Christ – so much so, in fact, that were it not for God’s preserving and sanctifying grace, it could actually cause us to quit and thus fall away from faith in Christ. Make no mistake; sloth can do real and serious harm to your faith.” This means that all of us have to do war with this particular sin of physical and spiritual laziness.
I highly recommend this book for all believers. As Christians, we are called to do battle with sin, what the Puritans called mortifying sin. If you are truly serious about dealing with sin in your life, I recommend you read this book and apply the sound biblical truths Hedges shares. As noted by one of the endorsers of this book, outside of John Owen’s thoughts on the mortification of sin, Hedges book is a clarion call for the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit and the word of God to cut to the root of sin in your life. Give this a book a read as soon as possible!
I received this book for free from Cruciform Press for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Michael Boling, Servants of Grace