Don't Even Think It!
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: We need to appreciate the fact that the thought is more dangerous than we imagine, and seek to discipline our thinking.
(An alternative title might be "Perish The Thought!")
Matthew 5:27-30. It sounds as if Jesus is telling us that thinking about sin is just as bad as doing the actual deed. Our belief generally is that thinking about doing wrong is never as bad as actually putting our thoughts into actions. Occasionally, we might even talk ourselves into believing that as long as we don't carry through on the sin, simply thinking about it can't be harmful or wrong. However, Jesus often uses an enigmatic or inexplicable approach in order to make dramatic or emphatic some point that might otherwise be overlooked. He is simply concerned with our thoughts at the moment.
Of course, for all practical purposes, the deed is usually worse than the contemplation of it, especially for the victim. Each of us would prefer a mugger only to think about robbing us instead of actually robbing us. But Jesus is focusing for the time being on the perpetrator (each one of us). He might be saying that if you give yourself permission to do something wrong, but find yourself unable to carry out the plan, you are just as guilty as you would be if you actually followed through. In other words, you willed to do it and were prevented, not by moral conscience, but by inconvenience, fear, lack of opportunity, etc.
We are talking about the process whereby most good and bad actions come about. First we contemplate; then we entertain -- we're tempted and finally act. This is the pattern of something beautiful such as falling in love, as well as something wicked like theft. What we spend our time dreaming about or dwelling upon can shape our disposition.
Somewhere I stumbled across this platitude:
Sow a thought -- reap an act
Sow an act -- reap a habit
Sow a habit -- reap a character
Sow a character -- reap a destiny.
(An alternative title might be "Perish The Thought!")
Matthew 5:27-30. It sounds as if Jesus is telling us that thinking about sin is just as bad as doing the actual deed. Our belief generally is that thinking about doing wrong is never as bad as actually putting our thoughts into actions. Occasionally, we might even talk ourselves into believing that as long as we don't carry through on the sin, simply thinking about it can't be harmful or wrong. However, Jesus often uses an enigmatic or inexplicable approach in order to make dramatic or emphatic some point that might otherwise be overlooked. He is simply concerned with our thoughts at the moment.
Of course, for all practical purposes, the deed is usually worse than the contemplation of it, especially for the victim. Each of us would prefer a mugger only to think about robbing us instead of actually robbing us. But Jesus is focusing for the time being on the perpetrator (each one of us). He might be saying that if you give yourself permission to do something wrong, but find yourself unable to carry out the plan, you are just as guilty as you would be if you actually followed through. In other words, you willed to do it and were prevented, not by moral conscience, but by inconvenience, fear, lack of opportunity, etc.
We are talking about the process whereby most good and bad actions come about. First we contemplate; then we entertain -- we're tempted and finally act. This is the pattern of something beautiful such as falling in love, as well as something wicked like theft. What we spend our time dreaming about or dwelling upon can shape our disposition.
Somewhere I stumbled across this platitude:
Sow a thought -- reap an act
Sow an act -- reap a habit
Sow a habit -- reap a character
Sow a character -- reap a destiny.
