Negative thoughts. Are they sinful?

[Paige Robertson]

Hello my fellow Christian friends!!!
I have a question,if have negative thoughts about someone,something, or even about myself, is that a sin? As long as I dont act upon them??

[Carla]

Hi Paige,

The enemy tries to put negative thoughts into each and every one of us. The thoughts do not belong to us until we make them ours.. by dwelling on them, and/or acting on them.

Whenever i get those thoughts that are 'not of God' I pray,

"I'm sorry for that thought Lord, please forgive me, that isn't a thought I want to have because it doesn't honor You, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psa 139:23
Psa 139:24

We do need to take hold of every thought into obedience to Christ. Thankfully the Holy Spirit convicts us!

Love and Blessings dear sister,
Carla

[Ron Cervero]

Dear Paige,

And Carla...I agree. No, negative thoughts are not sinful...unless we are judging, hating, or thinking evil thoughts about another our even ourselves. Jesus spoke of the word "Raca" which is an aramaic word for hucking up a spit. Jesus is saying that even if we make a derogitory sound against our brother, or say in our hearts "you fool". Then we are in danger of hellfire. Jesus went to great lengths to let us know that sin was not just an outward experience. But the sin of the heart is also a terrible sin.

Who will save us from this body of death? Thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord! He has saved us from this body of death...

If we have a hateful thought against our brother, then Jesus is saying that we are murdering them in our hearts...that's some deep and heavy conviction of how invasive sin really is.

But having a negative thought or a tempting thought about commiting an outward sin is not sin. Jesus was also tempted by the devil in the desert. His response? He quoted scripture to the devil. He was tempted 3 times...then the devil left Him for another opportune time.

Don't loose heart or be discouraged we can never fully make the mark everytime...after all, we are sinners from birth and always will be as long as we live, but God gives us a way out...by taking every thought and holding it captive to Christ as Carla wrote.

We also have an advocate with the Father...Jesus Christ. Who prays for us and will forgive us completely for our sins...so be free! Live under the awesome power of Grace and don't beat yourself up over not being completely obedient...none of us are, and if we say we are, then that is pride, another sin...see the circle?

And remember to always forgive yourself when you fall...satan wants us to beat ourselves up over sin...not God. God took care of sin once and for all on the Cross by His Blood...so be free and worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth...Amen?

God Bless,

Ron

[Paige Robertson]

Dearest Carla,
Thank you soo very much!
I know that you and I have talked about this before because it is always something that drives me nuts and I always need some encouragement here and there. So, I appreciate the time you take to repeat yourself to me!!!lol!!!! What are sisters for? Sometimes we need to be that broken record sometimes!!!
I carry soo much shame day in and day out thinking that Im a rotten person for all that I have done and all that I think about. The shame is enough to make one sick and looking for the funny farm! So, I have to hang on Gods grace and mercy. If He didnt have grace and mercy, oh man, Id be in a heap of trouble!!!!
Thanks sis, Love you
Paige

[Charles Burwell]

Dear Paige

Carla and Ron have given excellant advise about this so I only would add a small thing to it. I have learned the hard way that if we 'dwell' on negative thoughts too long they can have a bad effect on our relationship with God. Our negative thoughts never do us any 'good'. James 3:12-15.

However , just having the thought come to mind is not a sin . After all there's an old chinese proverb that says "You can't keep a bird from flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair." It's just what you do with negative thoughts that determines if they become sin or not.

The point made about' taking our thoughts into captivity to Christ' is the best answer for negative thoughts. I battle these types of thoughts everyday in my situation. However, when I remind the 'tempter ' about God's word and His promises I manage to lose the negative thoughts, at least until the next time. Satan will never give up so we ask God , as David did in Psalm 19:14 - "Let the words of my mouth and the MEDITATION OF MY HEART be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord , my Strenghth and my Redeemer."

God bless you as you fix your thoughts on Him.

In His service

[Ramona P. Jacobsz]

DEAREST FRIENDS
I AM PRESENTLY OUT OF TOWN... BAD SIGNALS AND BATTLE TO SEND EMAILS OR RECEIVE CELL PHONE CALLS... IF I AM OUT OF LINE OR WRONG - JUST IGNORE PLEASE... BUT RACA OR RAKA MEANS YOU ARE CALLING SOMEONE AN IDIOT..??? I WAS TOLD THAT YOU SIN IF YOU CALL YOUR BROTHER OR ANYONE AN IDIOT "RACA" OR "RAKA"...

LOVE YOU ALL
RAMONA P.

[Ron Cervero]

Right on the money Ramona!

[Ramona P. Jacobsz]

RON
GUESS WHY I KNOW THIS? I HAD AN OLDER BR0THER AND AS A LITTLE "BRAT" SISTER I DARED TO CALL MY BIG BROTHER THAT NAME AND DADDY HEARD THIS, AND I WAS RAPPED OVER THE KNUCKLES (smile).. THANK YOU JESUS FOR ALL THE FORGIVENESS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED - NONE OF US ARE WITHOUT SIN... BUT OUR LORD UNDERSTANDS HOW WEAK MY FLESH IS AND I CAN NEVER SWTOP PRAISING HIM FOR HIS LOVING KINDNESS. IF I HAD TO BE PUNISHED FOR ALL THE NEGATIVE THOUHTS I HAVE THOUGH AND STILL CONTINUE TO THINK THERE WOULD BE NO HOPE... BUT HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME AND ASO UNDESERVING.

I CAN NEVER EARN HIS GRACE AND KNOW THAT I - THOUHGH SO UNWOIRTHY - STILL AM A CHILD OF HIS CARE... FOR HIS LOVE TEACHES ME THAT HIS LOVE REACHES ME EVERYWHRERE! AMEN....

HUGS AND LOVE
RAMONA P.

[Paige Robertson]

Hello Charles,
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my question.
I agree with what you say most definately! Very well said. I believe that. It was just hard to put into words what I believed in the matter. So, thank you for sharing your opinion.
I would just hate to think that every time I have a thought that God is there being disapointed in me, and frustrated because I havent healed from that thinking pattern yet. Now, as the Lord as my witness, I am alot better than I was and that to me is good progress. I hate walking around thinking that IM soo awful that I think these things and that everyone is sick of me because I still do. The shame overtakes me and I end up depressed. I hang on to Gods grace and cry out to Him for help.
Thank you for the advice. You are full of wisdom and kindness!
Paige
Moderator

[michael shimonis]

i have them all the time and dont act but want too very much is their something wrong with me

[Bob B]

Hi Michael, Our brains are like computers, what we put into our minds is what comes out. the Bible says not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.( Roman 12:2, Ephesians 4:23 )

This transformation is done by following the instructions in Philippians chapter 4:8-9 which say; Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

The mind is the battlefield of the soul, between truth and the lies the enemy tries to get us to believe. We can find victory over negative, destructive thinking patterns in our live with the help of the Holy Spirit who is called the Spirit of Truth.

In the love of Jesus
Bob

[Alice Sheeba]

Hi

Really it is a sin because bible says we are not here to judge other or even our own....Thing positive...Realize the purpose what god is having for you...ask to reveal it...dont stuck up with the situations and the people around you go beyond that and see the blessing of god...

AMEN

inchirst
Alice

[Carla]

Hi Alice.. I am bringing certain scriptures here to demonstrate how the enemy puts thoughts in our minds...and we then make a choice how we respond.

First.. let us establish that Christ Jesus never sinned:
2Cr 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
and
1Pe 2:21 This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.
1Pe 2:22 He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone.

Here we see that certains thoughts were presented to Jesus by satan, but Jesus never sinned. The thoughts were not his own..but from the enemy.

Mat 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
Mat 4:3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.' "
Mat 4:5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON {their} HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' "
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.' "
Mat4:8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
Mat 4:9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.' "
Mat 4:11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and {began} to minister to Him.

The questions is...How de we act out those thoughts? Thinking positively is simply not living in the Power of the Living God. We are to think with the mind of Christ..to be renewed by His Power from the inside out....so that when those thoughts do come....which they do come to everyone, we will show the Power of Christ inside us to do the right thing. It's important that we know scripture to fight back..following Jesus' example. Positive thoughts wil not cut it. The teaching of positive thhinking comes from 'new age' "I can do this by myself, in my own strength kind of thinking.." We can't do this by ourselves, we are no match for the strongman.. only with God's help by His Holy Spirit.
I am not saying we are without sin..scripture clearly teaches that we are not sinless...But we do have the Holy Spirit to help us..and we are no longer slaves to sin.

Something to think about.. Blessings, Carla