Matthew 5:21-22 | 1 Samuel 16:7 | Psalm 136:1 | Hebrews 10:16 | Ezekiel 36:26
But I didn’t do it!
Have you ever felt bad about a thought you had toward someone? Maybe you were so angry that, for a moment, you wanted to physically attack them! Or maybe you saw the opportunity to steal something–and seriously considered it–but finally came to your senses and resisted the temptation.
Are those sins? You didn’t actually do anything; you just thought about it. Does God count those as sins?
Here is what Jesus said:
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”
Matthew 5:21-22a NLT
Seriously, Jesus? You’re going to judge me for stuff I didn’t even do? Why so harsh? Because God sees more than your actions–everybody sees those. He sees your heart. [link – https://thesuperbookshow.com/it-happens-in-the-heart/]
“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7b NLT
What can we do if God judges us not only by what we do, but even by what we think? First of all, we can remember that God loves us…
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 NLT
…And he wants to change our hearts.
“I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
Hebrews 10:16 NLT
Remember that a passing thought is different from a sinful desire that takes root in your heart. Also remember that, while you can’t control what random thoughts fly into your head, you can decide what you will spend time thinking about.
Dwelling on a thought can be the sunlight and water that allow it to grow roots. Those roots can reach down through the loose sand of your mind and into the soil of your heart. There they sprout into a sinful desire whose dense roots can spread and harden your heart.
If this is the story of your heart, please tell it to God. He can rewrite it.
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
As you depend on God to change your heart, remember that you are starting a process. It is a journey, not a destination. You have a guide and travel partner who will never leave you, turn on you, or give up on you…and He also happens to be the Creator of the Universe!
If you have been thinking about following Jesus, let that thought take root in your heart. But don’t stop there; turn that thought into action!
Questions for Group Discussion
- How do you feel, knowing that God cares about what you think, as well as what you do? Is that a lot of pressure?
- Have you ever tried to control your thoughts completely? How did that work out? Did it drive you a little crazy?
- What is the difference between thoughts and impulses? Is there overlap between the two? Can an impulse become a thought?
- Why is it so important to ask God to change your heart and/or mind? Can’t you do it yourself, if you try hard enough?
Application: Partner Up
We don’t recommend going solo on this… If you have ever tried to change your own heart–or even your own mind–you know it is not something you were meant to do alone.
Your goal here is to change the way you think. (What?!) If that sounds overwhelming, then you properly understand the scope of the project. That is why you will need a partner.
- Ask a trusted friend to work with you on changing your thinking in one or two areas.
- Choose someone you can trust enough to let yourself be completely honest.
- The person you partner with should be close to your age–preferably a year or two older, not younger.
- The person needs to be a committed Christian. (Do not compromise on this point.)
- Explain to your accountability partner what thinking you are trying to change. Limit it to one thing. (For example: “I am always thinking of new ways to cheat,” or “I’m trying not to make fun of people so much,” or whatever it is that you are struggling to change.)
- Set up a schedule to meet regularly with your accountability partner. Once a week for 20 minutes is a good place to start.
- If your accountability partner says something that offends you, take a deep breath and talk about how you would like them to hold you accountable. Then make adjustments as necessary.
- Be sure to pray with your accountability partner and acknowledge that God is the only one who can change your heart. Ask God to let you do his work in you.
If you have absolutely no one you can trust with holding you accountable, you can be your own accountability partner. To do this, you will need a journal. And a schedule.
- Write a short note in your journal each day (don’t freak out if you miss one here and there) describing your experience with what you are trying to change.
- Once a week, take 20 minutes to read through your daily entries. Then make a few notes about what you read.
- Be sure to pray and ask God to reveal things to you through the journal entries, and to guide you where to go from there.
- Finally, write yourself some conclusions on what to focus on in the coming week.
