Thoughts

The pastor said in his sermon:  "We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School.  The question was about whether or not thoughts are sinful by themselves, or if they are sinful only if one acts on them."  As I recall, his position was---to have the thoughts means you have already sinned in your heart  (therefore it is the same sin as an action would be.)

I wholeheartedly disagree with this way of thinking.  When it comes to the matter of thoughts,  I'd have to say that it is probably not fully known or understood exactly where thoughts originate.  It would be my understanding that often they originate from the subconscious mind.   Sometimes, they may even originate from the universal consciousness,  as when one gets a brilliant, creative idea.  Consciousness is an ongoing and evolving activity of the entire universe.   If we are fortunate,  it sometimes even unfolds within us.  And all of us, to some degree, can participate.

No doubt it is true that one can initiate sinful thoughts on purpose.  For example, if a sexual thought goes through someone's mind,  they might think about taking that further, and pursue some pornographic images on-line.  A decision is made in that case, and the thoughts themselves become actions, and the actions are sinful.  How far Jimmy Carter took his "lust in his heart" only he can know. But I do not think it is possible to be human, and not have any sexual thoughts. The thoughts, in and of themselves, are not inherently evil.  Just a passing blip.

When thoughts originate in the subconscious mind,  one also has a choice about whether or not to simply observe them passing across the screen of consciousness,  (not sinful)  or to dwell on them, take them up, act on them (potentially sinful).   I do not believe that the thought by itself comes as a "sinful" package, before one's will has been exerted over it, brought into the picture. This seems to me a rather fatalistic and pessimistic view of humanity, to which I do not subscribe.

I believe that we grow and evolve as spiritual human beings.  We become more proficient at not acting out of our ego.  We become more effective at operating out of our higher spiritual selves.   To label humans as totally broken and completely sinful doesn't allow enough room for growing in grace.

Thoughts simply are.   Take them or leave them.   We do have that choice.  And it is the choice that determines the sin.