by Bobby L. Graham
Is it sinful to have thoughts about things that are sinful when done (i.e., harming someone, homosexual/heterosexual attractions, other forms of lust)?
Perhaps this question from a young person represents a broader concern than we might think. There is little doubt that many people act upon their desires in these areas. If we can help even some of them so that they not so act, and also guard their hearts, this effort will be successful.
Let us remember the following principles of truth found in God's Word:
It is possible to be tempted without sin. Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, but He never sinned (Heb. 2:18; 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22). If temptation is equal to sin, then Jesus was a sinner. The presence of temptation in one's life does not have to mean that sin follows.
Temptation is the result of the enticing of one's desire (lust). Notice that the desire in itself does not rise to the level of sin, but allowing enticement to work on that desire brings temptation (Jas. 1:12-15).
If desire (lust) is allowed to continue through the process of conception (feeding, nurturing, encouraging, growing the desire), then sin is the offspring. The full-grown outcome of sin in one's life is death (Jas. 1:12-15).
To summarize, it should be clear that the presence of a thought/idea of sin is not sinful; but one must be careful to keep that thought/idea from growing and thriving so that sin actually happens, either in thought or in deed. Sin can happen even in the heart as a thought. Is that not what our Lord said in Matthew 5:28? A thought of evil harbored and encouraged by looking to lust is as wrong as the act of adultery, according to Jesus. All who do this sin, and all who act, speak or dress to stir up lust, also sin.
Perhaps this is an excellent opportunity to warn all about our thoughts. "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Rom. 13:14). Do we make provision for the flesh by seeking occasions to speak, hear, admire, perpetuate wrong in our hearts and lives? Do we make sin's presence easier by our choices? If we do, then we sin, even though we have not acted out the sin.
On the other hand, we ought to be careful about our eyes, ears, lips, hands, and feet (Job 31:1; 2 Pet. 2:14). What we sang as children should continue to ring in our hearts as adults! The more childlike we stay in heart, the more mature we become in wisdom for living as God wants us to live (1 Cor. 14:20). There is a difference between allowing the birds to fly over your head and allowing them to nest in your hair. All of us sometimes have them flying overhead (thoughts about evil coming to mind), but none of us should allow them to nest in our hair (permitting such thoughts to linger, then feeding them). We must chase them away before they start a nest.
Author Bio: Bobby actively participates in fill-in preaching, Belize trips, teaching an hour each day at Athens Bible School, and in gospel meeting work. He and his wife, Karen, have three children: Richard, Mary Katherine Winland (Darren), and Laura Paschall (Jeremy). He can be reached at bobbylgraham@pclnet.
