Featured When is sin a sin

The thread has spent much of the responses on "lust" (eyes, heart). That is not a problem for much edification has been offered.

However, the question of the actual thoughts of the mind itself is a greater challenge. The actual thinking processes that are sin.


Proverbs 24:9 says, "The thought of foolishness is sin."

If the thought itself is a sin, then it would seem to follow that it is not the "second look" or the length of time dwelling on the foolishness, but the very thought itself.

Most of the time, the latter part of the verse in Romans 1:28, "And even as they refused to have God in `their' knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting," is the center of discussion.

What about keeping God in the thought life?

Is it not more important (considering the public media continual assault upon that which is Godly - hearing, visual, ...) to be far more active in the thought life?

For instance, Romans 8:5-7

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."​

And in other places,

Romans 12:2

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."​

Ephesians 4:22-24

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."​

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."​

Colossians 1:21

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior."​

Colossians 3:2

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."​

James 2:3-4

"If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"​

1 Peter 1:13

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."​

According to Matthew 15:18-19 and Mark 7:20-22, all sin even thoughts have the genesis in the core (heart) of a person.

The psalmist meditated upon the word of God day and night.
The Apostle suggested singing (making melody in our hearts unto the Lord).

How much priority do the readers place in bringing every thought and intent under subjection?

Do you think that someone can be "so heavenly minded they are no earthly good?"

 

The real question of the OP is, "Can the thought life itself be sinful and never manifest itself in overt acts?"

The responses to the thread have been most edifying, but the basic question of actual thoughts being sinful is part of the basic question.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

If the Scriptures are that discerning, is it not important that each believer attend to the matter, also?

 

Because the thoughts proceed from the "heart" (core of a person), if the core is evil the thoughts are evil.

Therefore, thoughts can be considered evil and not just conduit for acting out evil. Evil heart = evil thoughts = evil actions.

Paul wrote (using the NIV translation) to the Corinthians a second letter in which he opens with the following lines:

"...3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they (the weapons of the believer) have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete...." ​

Parenthesis added to clarify the word "they"

Here then is the point this thread attempted to get across.

The believer is to meditate and fill their mind and heart with the Word of God that they bring every thought captive and in obedience to Christ.

The result is that the believer will be in complete obedience and as Paul states ready to punish every act of disobedience.

How does the believer expect to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God" and NOT have taken captive "every thought?"

How often is the distractions of this world, and the cares of this world, and the thinking of this world assaulted and conquered the believer's thoughts and it is merely passed off as mere human frailty?

It isn't because of some innate human frailty, it is because the thoughts have not been captured and made obedient to the Scriptures (Christ).

 

James says, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

It isn't a matter of just the sinful act, it is the knowing (thoughts) that go along with it.

I don't have to thrust my actions into the air space of others for the actions to be evil and sin.

James says, that if I KNOW to do good, and don't do it, it is sin.