Is thinking about the act of sinning a sin? - Thoughts - TouchPoints

Is thinking about the act of sinning a sin?

Proverbs 6:16, 18There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests . . . a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong . . .

Matthew 5:27-28You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Genesis 6:5Now the Lord observed the extent of the people’s wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil.

Proverbs 15:26The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.

Ecclesiastes 10:13Since fools base their thoughts on foolish premises, their conclusions will be wicked madness.

Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 59:7Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Wherever they go, misery and destruction follow them.

Jeremiah 4:14O Jerusalem, cleanse your hearts that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?

Jeremiah 7:5I will be merciful only if you stop your wicked thoughts and deeds and are fair to others;

Matthew 5:21-22You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Matthew 6:22-23“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!

Matthew 9:4Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why are you thinking such evil thoughts?

Matthew 15:19For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

Acts 8:18-23When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

Romans 1:21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.

Galatians 5:19When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,

Colossians 1:21This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions,

Titus 1:15Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled.

It is possible to sin without doing a thing. Lusting is thinking about committing adultery. Coveting is thinking about stealing. Both the Old and New Testaments clearly point out that sin is not limited to our actions.