III. Thoughts Are Sinful
thoughts—fleeting and perishable like bubbles. As stated in Psalm 146:4, "All their thoughts perish."
(5.) Lastly, they are vain, meaning they are indeed wicked and sinful.
In the text, vanity is linked with wickedness. "Vain men" and "sons of Belial" are equivalent terms (2 Chronicles 13:7). By nature, our thoughts are sinful. Proverbs 24:9 declares, "The thought of foolishness is sin." Therefore, one should humble themselves even for a proud thought (Proverbs 30:32), as "laying a hand on the mouth" signifies being vile in one's own eyes, as in Job 40:4.
Thoughts are Sinful 3. Since this is the main aspect on which I must focus when addressing the vanity of thoughts, and because people generally believe that thoughts are free from moral judgment, I will now prove to you, based on the sole doctrine presented, that thoughts are indeed sins.
(1.) The law judges them, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:12. It rebukes individuals for their thoughts, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:25.
Therefore, thoughts are transgressions of the law. Christ also rebuked the Pharisees for their "ill thoughts" (Matthew 9:4), which demonstrates the excellence of the law in reaching even thoughts.
(2.) Thoughts are capable of forgiveness and must be pardoned for us to attain salvation, as stated in Acts 8:22. This highlights the
abundant compassion of God, considering the infinite nature of thoughts.
(3.) Thoughts are to be repented of. Repentance is expressed as beginning with them, as in Isaiah 55:7: "Let the unrighteous man forsake his thoughts." A person is never truly and profoundly transformed, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, until "every thought is brought into obedience." This indicates that thoughts are naturally rebellious and contrary to grace. Furthermore, it showcases the power of grace, which can rule and subdue such a formidable force as our thoughts, ultimately commanding them all. This will be fully accomplished when we attain perfect holiness.
(4.) Thoughts defile a person, and only sin can cause defilement. In Matthew 15:18-19, it is stated, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts; these defile the man."
(5.) Thoughts are an abomination to the Lord, who detests nothing but sin. His "pure eyes cannot endure to behold any iniquity"
(Habakkuk 1:13). Just as good meditations are pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 19:14), by the rule of contrast, bad thoughts are abominable.
(6.) Thoughts hinder all the good we should do and spoil our best efforts. Vain thoughts draw our hearts away, so that when we should draw near to God, our hearts are "far off from him" due to our thoughts, as expressed in Isaiah 29:13. A person's heart is consumed with covetousness when they should be attentive to hearing, as the prophet speaks. Nothing else but sin can cause such separation, and what estranges us from God is sin and enmity towards Him.
(7.) Our thoughts are the initiators of all the evil within us. They set the motion in action and also bring the heart and the object together.
They act as facilitators for our lusts, holding up the object until the