Featured Thought Crimes

[AgnosticBoy]

Jesus said this in Matthew 5:27-28:
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

For Discussion:
1. Is just the thought of something considered a sin?
2. If not, what did Jesus mean? Two responses are below but I welcome anyone else to chime in.

Evangelical Christians sometimes think the mere thought is where the line is crossed. Absolutely not.

From my understanding, the desiring (or wanting) is when it becomes a problem and not just a mere thought. The desire comes from the heart All that probably involves intent, thoughts, and sometimes feelings.

 

[Scooter]

Thoughts pop into our heads all the time. Many of those thoughts are just wrong. It’s hard, if not impossible, to prevent such thoughts from entering our minds. However, we can choose not to dwell on those thoughts. That’s where the sin comes into play when we fantasize and entertain wicked thoughts. Listen to the danger of allowing sinful thoughts to have free range in our minds James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Also note that evil thoughts come from an evil heart Matt.15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

 

[AgnosticBoy]

1. Is just the thought of something considered a sin?
2. If not, what did Jesus mean? Two responses are below but I welcome anyone else to chime in.

In Matthew 5:27-28, the key descriptor that brings in the wrongdoing is "lustfully". Can you look and think to yourself that his wife is good looking? I think so.

Lust:
- usually intense or unbridled sexual desire
- an intense longing : craving
Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lust

The Greek word for "lust"is "epithymeō". It means this:
to have a desire for, long for, to desire. (Source: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1937/kjv/tr/0-1/)

Again, can't a guy or gal just look without also wanting or "desiring" the person? Okay, maybe nowadays, a guy might look at ANY girl, regardless of relationship status, and just think sex. But still, I can speak for myself, I can look at a pretty girl and not want her sexually, and it very much helps that I'm already in a good relationship with an attractive girl. In fact, where my girl comes from .. South America, there are also pretty girls all over so it takes me actively trying to be good to not go there

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Also note that evil thoughts come from an evil heart Matt.15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Agreed. That explains why my being in a good relationship and being satisfied with my GF leads to wanting to be good by not fantasizing about being with other women. My heart is already satisfied with her = a good heart.

 

[Scooter]

Again, can't a guy or gal just look without also wanting or "desiring" the person?

Absolutely. I can acknowledge an attractive woman and not lust after her.

 

[William]

Try this...rather than fight or barrier thoughts which "pop into one's head" try questioning why they do so and analyzing them - what are the thoughts revealing about oneself? What about the thought is primarily "wrong" in regard to how one learns through that.
Also, what thoughts consistent pop up - and which do not.

Examining our conscious thought can be liberating.

IF we believe that a thought is "sinful" then examine the belief which makes this happen and ask oneself "what mark am I missing here"? Why is this though sinful? What about the thought provide evidence of sinfulness?

If we do not, then we risk having the thought cycle without proper consideration re consultation and an uncontrolled cycling thought can lead to manifesting action aligned with said thought - allowing oneself to be controlled by said thought rather than being in a position of control and understanding.

We do not have a wise man before us who through reason saves us from the stone of double standards and telling us to "go and sin no more"

But we do have the equivalent "wise man" (or woman if you prefer - or simply a wisdom undefined by gender) within our own ability to examine and control thought so that these do not get out of hand or otherwise controlling...
"Here am I is where I ought - examining my conscious thought."

 

[Scooter]

We do not have a wise man before us who through reason saves us from the stone of double standards and telling us to "go and sin no more"

Hahaha…well you may not have a wise man to save you, but I sure do. His name is Jesus Christ. I would advise you meet Him for yourself.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Try this...rather than fight or barrier thoughts which "pop into one's head" try questioning why they do so and analyzing them - what are the thoughts revealing about oneself? What about the thought is primarily "wrong" in regard to how one learns through that.
Also, what thoughts consistent pop up - and which do not.

Examining our conscious thought can be liberating.

IF we believe that a thought is "sinful" then examine the belief which makes this happen and ask oneself "what mark am I missing here"? Why is this though sinful? What about the thought provide evidence of sinfulness?

If we do not, then we risk having the thought cycle without proper consideration re consultation and an uncontrolled cycling thought can lead to manifesting action aligned with said thought - allowing oneself to be controlled by said thought rather than being in a position of control and understanding.

We do not have a wise man before us who through reason saves us from the stone of double standards and telling us to "go and sin no more"

But we do have the equivalent "wise man" (or woman if you prefer - or simply a wisdom undefined by gender) within our own ability to examine and control thought so that these do not get out of hand or otherwise controlling...
"Here am I is where I ought - examining my conscious thought."

All the things you mentioned would be good during meditation.

I bring up meditation because a lot of thoughts are subconscious, and meditation is well known for bringing subconscious activity to the surface.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Lust:
- usually intense or unbridled sexual desire
- an intense longing : craving
Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lust

I agree that a desire is more something than a mere thought. But the word “unbridled” seems to set up a self-fulfilling prophecy. Meaning that Merriam-Webster is kind of giving a max definition of lust.

PS congrats on your having a good relationship.

 

[William]

Try this...rather than fight or barrier thoughts which "pop into one's head" try questioning why they do so and analyzing them - what are the thoughts revealing about oneself? What about the thought is primarily "wrong" in regard to how one learns through that.
Also, what thoughts consistent pop up - and which do not.

Examining our conscious thought can be liberating.

IF we believe that a thought is "sinful" then examine the belief which makes this happen and ask oneself "what mark am I missing here"? Why is this though sinful? What about the thought provide evidence of sinfulness?

If we do not, then we risk having the thought cycle without proper consideration re consultation and an uncontrolled cycling thought can lead to manifesting action aligned with said thought - allowing oneself to be controlled by said thought rather than being in a position of control and understanding.

We do not have a wise man before us who through reason saves us from the stone of double standards and telling us to "go and sin no more"

But we do have the equivalent "wise man" (or woman if you prefer - or simply a wisdom undefined by gender) within our own ability to examine and control thought so that these do not get out of hand or otherwise controlling...
"Here am I is where I ought - examining my conscious thought."

All the things you mentioned would be good during meditation.

I bring up meditation because a lot of thoughts are subconscious, and meditation is well known for bringing subconscious activity to the surface.

There is no reason why one cannot do it 24/7

It is a type of deeper self awareness which one can move along within...as a consistent thing rather than something put aside, like Church on Sunday.