Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man" ....
This passage of scripture reveals to us the source of all our words and actions, for they spring forth from within the domain of our hearts and minds. The Bible tells us that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he, and this statement of fact can be confirmed by the experience of those who lived before the flood, where it was stated by God that every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And then the Bible goes on to list some of the evil deeds which were the result of their thinking, for whatsoever thoughts we harbor or cultivate, will one day find expression in similar acts, whether they be good or evil. Let's read:
Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
No man or woman ever falls suddenly, for according to the scriptures there is a germination period in our minds where evil thoughts and desires are dwelt upon with approval and interest, and after some time takes root in our consciences. If these evil thoughts and desires are not confessed and forsaken in their abstract, phantom form, before they become a living reality, then satan waits for an opportune moment to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together in a mouth-watering format, and the thoughts we cherished in silence for a long period of time, end up clinching the moment, and we are then led to commit grievous sins in actuality. This scenario has been played out in the lives of Christians over and over again, hence the reason why the apostle James reiterates the same truth Christ stated in the opening passage for today. Let's read:
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Evil thoughts and desires must therefore be resisted and overcome in their phantom form, for they are developed and decided upon in the seat of our intelligence, and therefore must be dealt with at the germination stage if they are not to find expression in literal words and deeds. The habit of asking God to forgive us of mere acts is not good enough, for we should rather be asking Him to forgive and cleanse us of things we have not actually done as yet, but which we were thinking and dwelling upon them for many days and years. As a matter of fact, if we desire to know our true selves, all we have to do is to ask God to show us in real time the meditations of our hearts, for whatsoever we think upon, that we will do sooner or later.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which petitions The God of heaven to help us gain those abstract victories, so that our thoughts and meditations would be acceptable in His sight. Let's read:
Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!