Thoughts will also condemn us

[iWriteStuff]

Crikey, this thread sure has brought out some strong emotions..... Let's back up to Matthew 5:22 for just a second:

"But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

I think this is a very thought provoking discussion, but hope we can make it a kinder discussion. As per thought sins, I guess it's no coincidence that I read this passage this morning:

Alma 12:14
For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us..."

If I had to create a "hierarchy of naughtiness", it would go like this (from bad to worst):

Bad - Thoughts
Worse - Words
Worst - Works

The criteria for bad/worse/worst is the amount of effort it takes to repent from it. A thought can be repented of between me and God. If I have spoken ill to/of someone, then my repentance must involve that person as well as God. Worst yet, if I have sinned against someone to an extreme degree, then repentance will involve the victim, God, and possibly a bishop or church council.

In no way is any sin justified or "innocent" - all must be repented of. But the steps required for said repentance are more difficult the further along it has progressed from "thought" to "action".

Does that make sense?

[Blessed]

Yes, and I concur 100% iWriteStuff. I haven;t been saying bad thoughts are not sins, but I have basically been arguing the hierarchy that you laid out. It seems some would turn that upside down.

[braingrunt]

Maybe this is relevant

28 ¶ But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

So what we do is more important than what we say. What we say is just a reflection of what we think, unless we are liars. Therefore what we do is more important than what we think.. or it might be better to say that what we do or do not is a better indicator of what we think in our heart than some fleeting fancy.

This is not to diminish the importance of our un-acted thoughts. They absolutely will condemn us unless we continue in cheerful repentance for them.

But I absolutely believe actions are more important.

[Blessed]

I also had a corollary thought: If we commit a sin, we thought of it first - so we are guilty of both the thought and the deed.

[I AM]

[quote...]or we have a learning disability here.

If that's the royal "we" I think you may be onto something.

I'm going to go think charitable thoughts about poor people - I'm not actually going to DO anything to help them, because after all, it's the thought that counts.


[/quote]
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again clever but not true.
The difference is - the end result.
The one can not be fulfilled and satisfied without actually doing it;
the other can,
you don't actually have to do it.
By your desires, placing an evil thought in your heart,
you've already shown God that you want it, and if given the opportunity,
you would do it.



God looks on the heart,
and we will be judged according to our thoughts, words, deeds, and the desires of our hearts.

the body just acts out the thoughts and desires we have,
so we first have to have the thought and desire.

it all starts in the mind, and your hearts desires.
Proverbs 23
"7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: "

Every thougt and feeling we have matters.
Can you do anything without first thinking about it.
Thoughts and feelings and your hearts desires
make you who you are, and the life you are living.

“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself”

"Before anything truly and deeply changes in us, first our minds must change: "
"be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. 12:2).

"The heart is the core of our being".
We are motivated to think the thoughts we have
by the desires we have placed in our heart.

[I AM]

and I don't need to have the last word,
because Jesus Christ IS THE WORD.
And I will leave you His words.

¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.


I'm through with this.