Is it ok to think about something sinful as long as you don't act on it?

(My answer applies to someone who has been Born Again. If you have not been Born Again, you are utterly lost until you do so.)

Ryan2021 said:

Do you think its ok if you think and fantasize about something sinful as long as you don't act on it?

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See Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28

Ryan2021 said:

Do you think God is forgiving and understanding?

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"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 NKJV

(@Ryan2021, are you going to answer any of these threads that you are starting?)

When you start nurturing the sinful thoughts and dwell in them you are already acting sinfully. “Act” doesn’t necessarily mean the way you are seeing it. A sudden flash of sinful thought or a desire cannot be controlled and part and parcel of the fallen tendencies .. yet warrants some spiritual examination and an open conversation with God for cleansing.

Feeding the initial thought and delighting in it as per your heart’s desire is deliberate choice you make.

Those sinful thoughts which you nurture will defile you and makes you unavailable for God’s holy presence in you or His fellowship.


God is faithful and understanding only to those who repent and genuinely puts effort to quit sin, not to the ones who wish to continue in it for whatever reason. God’s grace does not eliminate the principles of “choice” and consequence.

I highly recommend reading the Sermon of the Mount found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters five through seven. Some passages of interest include...


Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 5:21-37 - King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 5:21-37 - New King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 5:21-37 - New International Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 5:21-37 - International Children’s Bible


Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 6:1-24 - King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 6:1-24 - New King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 6:1-24 - New International Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 6:1-24 - International Children’s Bible


We will all be judged by God for every THOUGHT, word, and deed.[1] To God, the motive matters more than the actual deed. There is a stark difference between APPEARING to be Christ-like and actually BEING Christ-like. God knows your heart.[5]

Following Biblical values is MUCH easier said than done.[2] This is why we NEED to put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's death on the cross to atone for all of our sins.[3] Even then, willful sin is still out of the question.[4]

A more worldly example are these: Psychopaths may appear to be intelligent, charming, and even well put together... But are they really? Can one easily see inside their minds and hearts? After fully understanding how their minds work, can they really be trusted?[6][7][8]

1. 2 Corinthians 5:1-11, Matthew 5:1-7:29, Romans 14:9-12, Revelation 20:11-15
   
2. Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 14:1-7, 53:1-6
   
3. Acts 16:25-34, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:16, 6:22-29, Matthew 5:17-20, 1 Peter 1:13-21, Romans 5:1-4
   
4. John 14:15-18, Matthew 7:13-29, 25:31-46, Romans 3:1-8, 6:1-23
   
5. Luke 16:1-15, Proverbs 16:1-9, 21:2-4, 1 Samuel 16:6-7
6. How to Spot Psychopaths: Speech Patterns Give Them Away | Live Science
7. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199401/charming-psychopath
8. Psychopathy - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Ryan2021 said:

Hi everyone, i really want some opinions on this. Do you think its ok if you think and fantasize about something sinful as long as you don't act on it? Do you think God is forgiving and understanding? I mean we all have temptations, we can't help it and we can't really help what happens in our minds, but we have a choice not to give into temptations. I often think about stuff i know is sinful and yes the temptation is there. In the past i would have given into the temptations, but now i am not doing it, they stay as thoughts and not actions. It bothers me that i even think about them but i don't know how you can prevent that happening?

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No, its not ok to fantasize and think sinful thoughts even if you don't act on it. The Bible tells us to take every thought captive and bring it to the obedience of Christ. The Bible also tells us to think of pure, noble, true and praiseworthy things. After all you are what you think and it will show and manifest one way or another and sooner or later it will become obvious to others what you were meditating on.