Sins Of The Heart

Chuckle:  Father to teenage daughter:  "Did I hear the clock strike two as you came in last night?"  Daughter: "Oh, it started to strike eleven, but I stopped it so that it wouldn't wake you up."

 

Consider this Quote:  "The mind sins, not the body.  If there is no intention, there is no blame." --Livy

 

SINS OF THE HEART   

 

    "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" (Psalm 16:18 NIV).  "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).   

 

Let's begin by reviewing a couple definitions.  When Scripture uses the word "heart," we know it is not speaking about the physical organ beating in our chests.  No, it is referring to the very center of our being, and includes our thoughts (mind), emotions, passions, appetites, morals, will, spirit.  Our heart is the totality of our spiritual being -- who we are deep down inside.

 

Next, a literal translation of the word "sin" means to miss the mark, or deviate from a goal or standard that God has set for us in His Word -- to sin is to "fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  We often think of sin as describing actions that are in violation of God's moral laws -- the things we do or fail to do -- our ungodly actions.  But there is more to the word "sin" than just our actions.  Any concept of sin that does not emphasize the contradiction of God's will is incomplete.  In its simplest terms, sin is rebellion against God.

 

Now, let's consider this question: If you harbor ungodly thoughts, but those thoughts never come to fruition by being acted upon, have you really sinned?  The answer is an emphatic "Yes."  Since sin is most often associated with our actions, I think we do not focus enough attention on the seriousness of our sinful thoughts -- sins of the heart.  These could include lust, envy, anger, hate, greed, etc.  If we aren't on guard, our thoughts can become polluted with filthy words or images which can take root in our hearts.  The longer we allow such pollution to dwell in our hearts and minds, the more likely it becomes that we will act upon those thoughts, and grow further and further away from God.    

 

So, when we speak of "sins of the heart,"  we are referring to our sinful thoughts and desires, but not necessarily our actions.  Sins of the heart are very serious in the eyes of God.  Perhaps the best illustration of this truth comes from Jesus Himself.  ". . . anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart (mind)" (Matthew 5:28 NLT).  

 

Keeping our thoughts pure and holy requires a prayerful spirit and a special love relationship with our Lord.  If we find ourselves entertaining sinful thoughts, whether we act upon those thoughts or not, we should immediately confess those sins and ask God to forgive us, purify our minds and heart, and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).  If left unchecked, sinful thoughts and desires can eventually lead to sinful actions, destroy our fellowship with our Lord, and turn people away from Him.  "Search me, O God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23a NIV).  "Create in me a pure heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10a NIV). 

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse