Thoughts And Sins: The Battle Within

The Bible suggests that sins can be committed both in thought and action. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that a person can commit the sin of murder by becoming angry, as the anger motivates the action. Similarly, Jesus says that a married man who looks at another woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. However, some Christians believe that thoughts are not sins, and that a person is only accountable for their actions.

Anger and violence

The Bible states that "everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court", and that anger motivates the action of murder. However, some Christians differentiate between human anger and God's anger, or wrath, which is considered "His holy and perfect reaction to sin".

While thoughts alone are not considered sins, as they are "out of our control", dwelling on thoughts of anger and violence can be considered sinful. Jesus is quoted in the Bible as saying:

> "Be angry and do no sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

This suggests that while it is not a sin to feel anger, it is important to control these feelings and not let them lead to sinful actions.

Anger can be directed inward or outward. When turned inward, it can lead to depression and even suicide. Outward expressions of anger can cause harm to others and the breakdown of relationships. It is often driven by a desire to punish or hurt others, or by an aggrieved sense of entitlement.

To avoid the sin of anger, Christians are advised to practice self-control and to confess, mourn, and repent of their anger. They should strive to speak the truth in love and to think carefully before expressing anger, to be patient, and show restraint.

Lust

The Bible provides insight into the nature of lust and how it relates to sin. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus states:

> "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

This passage highlights that lustful thoughts can be considered a sin, even if they are not acted upon. However, it is important to distinguish between fleeting thoughts and fantasizing or dwelling on lustful thoughts. Some sources suggest that it is not a sin to have an initial lustful thought but to continue entertaining and indulging in that thought that crosses into sinful territory.

James 1:14-15 elaborates on this idea:

> "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."

This passage suggests that lustful thoughts can lead to sin when we give in to our desires and fail to control our thoughts.

In summary, lust is a complex topic within the context of sin, and it involves our desires and intentions. While not all desires are sinful, lust often refers to desires that go against God's will or are motivated by selfish or disordered intentions. It is important to recognize the difference between fleeting thoughts and indulging in fantasies, as the latter is more likely to be considered a sin.

Adultery

But what about thoughts of adultery? Is it a sin to think about committing adultery? According to the Bible, sins can be committed both in our minds and by our actions. Jesus said that a married man who looks at a woman with the intent to desire her has sin infecting him. He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).

So, is it a sin to have lustful thoughts about someone who is not your spouse? The answer is yes. However, it is important to distinguish between intrusive thoughts and fantasies. Intrusive thoughts are those that come into your mind uninvited, and you cannot control them. Fantasies, on the other hand, are conscious thoughts that you entertain and dwell on. It is the act of dwelling on lustful thoughts that is considered a sin.

Jesus was not condemning loving sexual desire within the context of marriage. He was saving true sexual desire from lust. His warning was designed to save marriage from adultery and to protect women from the selfishness of men.

If you struggle with lustful thoughts, you can ask the Lord for forgiveness. You can also practice what is called "custody of the eyes" by avoiding all kinds of indecent material and enriching your imagination with traditional Catholic art depicting Jesus, Mary, and the saints. Additionally, you can focus on cultivating virtuous thoughts and weeding out impure thoughts, just as a gardener tends to their garden.

Murder

According to the Bible, thoughts can be sinful. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that a person can commit the sin of murder in two ways: through action and through anger. For instance, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says:

> "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court."

Here, Jesus states that anger can motivate the action of murder. This is further illustrated in the Book of Genesis, where Cain is warned not to let sin overcome him, but he gives in to his sin of anger and kills his brother, Abel.

In James 1:14-15, it is stated that sin occurs when one decides to give in to their internal feelings:

> "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."

Therefore, while it is not a sin to be angry, it becomes a sin when one does not resist or control these feelings and instead dwells on them.

However, some people argue that thoughts are not sinful because they are beyond one's control. Instead, it is the actions that determine what a sin is. For example, in the case of self-defence, killing someone is not considered murder according to man or God.

In conclusion, while thoughts of murder can be considered sinful in certain contexts, it is important to note that the Bible also recognises that thoughts can be beyond one's control, and it is the action of murder that is ultimately prohibited and punishable.

Sinful nature

Sin is broadly defined to include thoughts, words, and actions. According to the Bible, sin is in everything. It is a state that humans are born into. Our thoughts, inclinations, and behaviours are all sinful.

Jesus equates sinful thoughts with actions. For example, in Matthew 5:28, he says that "everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart". Similarly, in Matthew 5:21-22, he states that "everyone who is angry with his brother will be guilty" and that anger motivates the action of murder.

However, some people argue that thoughts are not sinful. They believe that thoughts are out of one's control and are merely responses to stimuli. It is the actions that determine sin. Dwelling on a thought, however, is considered an action and can be a sin.

The Bible also acknowledges that thoughts may be involuntary. Shame, which can result from sinful thoughts, can separate us from God. Therefore, it is important to focus on God and rebuke the wrong thought.

In conclusion, while thoughts themselves may not be sinful, dwelling on them can be. It is a person's response to their thoughts that determines whether or not they have sinned.

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