How can a thought be sinful?
On the Teen Guys forum, there are constant threads on "overcoming" lust. I feel sorry for all of thee guys torturing themselves over natural human thoughts. They think it's wrong to entertain certain ideas in your mind, even if you do not act on them. Sexual thoughts (particularly the ones discussed in those forums) don't harm anyone, yet they cause tremendous psychological damage to the poor victim of guilt.
The same goes for the "sin" of hate or greed. It is a biological instinct to want more than you have. As long as you don't steal or destroy friendships over it, why is wanting another's property or success wrong? Couldn't it even be a motivation to work harder?
To paraphrase the Simpsons:
FLANDERS' SON: Gee, I'm sure glad that we gave the homeless such great food.
FLANDERS: Careful, son, that's the sin of pride.
SON (ashamed): sorry, dad.
FLANDERS: Sin of regret!
