How can my thoughts affect my behavior?
Psalm 101:4I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
James 1:14-15Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
Allowing a small indulgence to sinful desires in our thought life gives sin a foothold. Once sin has that leverage over us, the battle against temptation becomes a more dangerous fight. We should decide ahead of time to stand firm against allowing even a hint of sin to grow in our hearts.
Genesis 6:5The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.
Isaiah 59:7Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them.
Ezekiel 38:10“At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme.”
Micah 2:1What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.
Matthew 15:19“From the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.”
Mark 7:20-23He [Jesus] added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
Colossians 1:21This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.
The dangerous transition from evil thoughts to wrong and destructive actions is clear in the Bible. We would be foolish to entertain evil thoughts as though they are harmless. Entertaining evil thoughts always leads to evil actions in the end.
Proverbs 15:14, 26, 28A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. . . . The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. . . . The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Romans 1:28-32Since they [sinful humans] thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
Ephesians 4:17-19, 23-24With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. . . . Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
James 3:13, 17-18If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works . . . . The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Wise and godly thinking can shape our words and our actions so that they are pure and beneficial for others. In contrast, foolish and sinful thoughts can lead us to shut out God’s light, and the result will be confusion, a breakdown of moral character, and ultimately a willingness to participate in any evil act.
Psalm 1:1-2Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
Psalm 40:8“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
Psalm 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Philippians 4:8-9Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
1 Peter 1:13So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
Our thoughts can prepare us to follow godly examples and share in God’s peace. This is especially true when we dedicate our thoughts to thinking about God’s Word.
Ezekiel 22:12There are hired murderers, loan racketeers, and extortioners everywhere. They never even think of me and my commands, says the Sovereign Lord.
Colossians 2:18Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud.
1 Timothy 6:5These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
Worthless and foolish thoughts can lead us to pride, hypocrisy, and even criminal activity. What we do almost always comes from what we first think about. The seeds for our actions, both good and bad, are planted in our hearts. We should nurture the soil of our hearts to produce godly thoughts that are pleasing to God.
