V. Uses: The Good of Knowing the Vanity of Thoughts
if a person were to possess them (Proverbs 23:5). But to derive pleasure from mere suppositions is even worse.
3. Thirdly, this indicates a profound discontentment of the mind when individuals, in their own thoughts, place themselves in a different condition than what God has ordained for them.
Uses: The Good of Knowing the Vanity of Thoughts Use 1.—After recognizing the vanity of your thoughts and how they affect your condition, humble yourself because of them. I base this on Proverbs 30:32, where Agur instructs us to humble ourselves not only for our actions but also for our thoughts: 'If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.' Just as 'smiting upon the thigh' represents repentance, shame, and sorrow in Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:19), so laying the hand upon the mouth signifies deeper and more profound humility, indicating full recognition of one's guilt. In Romans 3:19, it is stated, 'Every mouth must be stopped.' Having nothing to say, not offering excuses that thoughts are uncontrollable and impossible to be rid of, etc., but instead, as Ezekiel 16:63 states, 'to remember, and to be confounded, and never to open thy mouth more'—to be humble and not answer back, as in Job 40:4—this is to lay your hand on your mouth, meaning to humble yourself.
And indeed, there is much reason for it. Your thoughts are the firstborn and eldest sons of original sin, and thus they embody its
strength, just as Jacob referred to Reuben as the firstborn. Moreover, they are the parents and progenitors of all other sins, their siblings.
They are the initial plotters and schemers, acting as Ahithophels in all the treasons and rebellions of our hearts and lives. They are the instigators and enablers of all excessive desires, and they facilitate the gratification of our lusts. They disrupt and undermine all our righteous duties, interrupting and corrupting our prayers to the point where they become repugnant to God.
And if their heinousness does not move you, consider their number, for they are constantly present. This makes our sins more numerous than the sands; the thoughts of Solomon's heart were as plentiful as sand, and so are ours. Not a minute passes without countless thoughts flowing from us, just as sands flow in an hourglass. So even if, individually, these thoughts may seem small and insignificant compared to gross defilements, their multitude makes them greater and heavier than all your other sins combined. Nothing is smaller than a grain of sand, yet when they accumulate, they become weighty. Job 6:3 says, 'My grief is heavier than the sand.' Suppose these thoughts are like farthing tokens in comparison to major transgressions, but because the mint never rests, whether we are sleeping or awake, they constitute the majority of the treasure of wrath we are amassing. And know that God will account for every farthing, not discounting a single vain thought from your punishment. God considers our thoughts in this manner; just look at the indictment He brings against the old world, which is still on record in Genesis 6. When He pronounced the severe judgment of destroying the old world, did He primarily cite their murders, adulteries, and gross defilements as the cause? No, it was their thoughts—because they were so numerous and consistently evil— that provoked Him more than all their other sins. Therefore, examine your heart closely to humble yourself and to acknowledge
your vileness. If such a treasure of wickedness is found in one chamber of your heart, what could be in all those other "chambers of the belly," as Solomon calls them? Consider them to humble yourself, but do not let the multitude discourage you. For God has more thoughts of mercy than you have had thoughts of rebellion.
Psalm 40:5 says, 'Thy thoughts to us-ward' (referring to thoughts of mercy) 'are more than can be numbered.' You only began to entertain thoughts of rebellion against Him recently, but His thoughts of mercy have been from eternity to eternity. In Isaiah 55:7, after mentioning our thoughts, it says, 'Let the unrighteous man forsake his thoughts, and he will have mercy on him.' This is stated because the objection of the multitude of thoughts might discourage people from hoping for mercy. Therefore, it is purposely added, 'He will multiply to pardon,' to assure us that His thoughts of mercy surpass our thoughts of sin, as heaven exceeds the earth.
Use 2: We should conscientiously guard our thoughts. Just as Job did, in Job 31:1, when he said, 'I made a covenant with mine eyes; why should I think upon a maid?' Solomon specifically charges us to 'Above all keeping, keep thy heart' in Proverbs 4:23.
First, you are to keep the Lord's day holy, keep yourself unspotted from the world, keep your brother, keep all the commandments; but above all, keep your heart and your thoughts within it. This is the greatest commandment because it encompasses them all. Just as in the commandment where murder is forbidden, a malicious thought is also prohibited, and the same applies to the rest of the commandments. By keeping your thoughts in check, you are essentially keeping all the commandments. Just as original sin is prohibited in all the commandments, thoughts are addressed in each of them.
Secondly, 'Out of it are issues of life.' Thoughts and affections are the source, while speeches and actions are the result. Our thoughts determine our affections, as they serve as the bellows. The same applies to our prayers and all aspects of our lives, for they are like the spirits in the body, running through all and influencing all.
Thirdly, if you consider God, our thoughts are the territory He proclaims Himself the sole Lord of, and it is one of His greatest attributes that He 'knows them and judges them.' Earthly kings may attempt to govern your speech, bind your hands, and control your actions, but God governs only your thoughts. Through our thoughts, we primarily sanctify Him in our hearts and walk with God. Should we not, then, be conscientious about them?
Fourthly, if you look at the work and power of grace, where does it lie if not in 'bringing every thought into obedience?' (2 Corinthians
10:5) This is the glory of our religion, surpassing all others in the world. What makes it difficult and demanding? It is the task of observing and restraining our thoughts. The difference between sincere-hearted Christians and others lies in the control of our thoughts. Without this, all religious practice is merely 'bodily exercise.' Papists may mumble their prayers, hypocrites may speak, but true godliness lies in the governance of our thoughts.
Fifthly, if we consider the things we care about, if we care about our words because Christ said we will 'answer for every idle word,' then for the same reason, we should also care about our thoughts.
Thoughts are the words of the mind, they just lack a form to be audible to others, which the tongue provides. Yet, you will be held accountable for them just like for your spoken words (Hebrews 4:12;
1 Corinthians 4:5). If you are careful about the companions you keep, the people you allow into your homes, and those who share your