There are seven steps to being deprived Of keys to heaven’s gate, And each shall offer stumbling’s chance, Impaling self on Satan’s lance, If ignorant bliss should have its wish To blind thine eyes to wisdom’s light!
[INSTRUMENTAL]
[VERSE 1 — PRIDE]
The first of seven, depriving heaven, Begins with thy best friend, For PRIDE itself can hide in stealth, Disguised as strong ambitions. Yet roads, I’m told, are paved with gold On highways to perdition. The stride in PRIDE shall give free ride To ego’s deep-felt pleasures, Yet fail as guide, expose the lie Of self-conceit’s true measure.
[VERSE 2 — GREED]
The second step that makes thee fret Comes from a thirst for treasures; ’Tis need to feed thy GREED’S proceeds That heaps more wealth on ledgers. Insatiable desires from GREED Can cause thy morals great impediments, Through possessions and transgressions That escape acknowledgment.
[VERSE 3 — LUST]
The third missed step one shall regret Is mistaking lust for love, As God above gave laws ’bout flaws And deviant intentions. For choices made in reckless haste, Ignoring one’s submission. For LUST can wear the mask of love, And leave the heart despised; While wandering eyes may tell thee lies Of choices ill-advised.
[VERSE 4 — ENVY]
The fourth lost footing on the path Should teach what’s been forsaken, For ENVY of another’s wealth Can feed the heart’s obsessions. Instead of wishing for another’s place, Let gratitude be thy measure; For striving toward thy worthy goals Can bring a lasting treasure.
[VERSE 5 — GLUTTONY]
The fifth step’s swagger goes beyond The bounds of just contentment, As GLUTTONY’S excessive glut Gets lost in self-indulgence. Know thy limits, know thy needs, And learn to turn aside From GLUTTONY’S consuming greed, Where appetite becomes thy guide. While seated at a banquet’s feast, Let moderation be discreet.
[VERSE 6 — WRATH]
The sixth step missed is getting pissed, With clangors born of WRATH, Which anchor strife in reasons missed And lead to reckless aftermath. Thus ’tis the vital truth we sing: The music of WRATH is obscene; For when one loses temper’s hold, Control is lost, and anger rules. Distraction breeds reaction’s cost, And reason yields to rage; The one who thinks that wrath defends May find defeat the final end.
[VERSE 7 — SLOTH]
In the final step of seven, One must be aware That the path to heaven takes work on earth, And sloth must not be nurtured there. For SLOTH has cost, as speed is lost, And pace in life disgraced; Catastrophe from atrophy Descends upon thy frame. As laziness has little worth In measured deeds on earth, Nor wisdom’s wit to pave the path, It leaves thee fraught with fears and regrets.
[CLOSING REFLECTION — BUILD TOWARD THE FINAL MESSAGE]
’Tis seven habitual rituals That insult virtue’s soul; And those who fall from grace so fast May lose sight of their goal. The question posed to one and all Is who travels to and fro, Tempting souls along the way, While they fail to see the poisoned feed Or what lies hidden in the weeds. Deception lurks in shadowed smirks, Behind our faults and defaults, And waits to strike with sly assaults, While mischief takes its sport. Yet damage done that darkens some Has roots in everyone; For weakened hearts may fall to schemes Before the truth is known. And for heaven’s sake, consider this: The cost of loss is great. We must discover what it takes To find the key that opens heaven’s gate!
