We are studying the 10 commandments at the moment and I've just been thinking about this question:
One of the commandments is to NOT use God's not in vain (which by the way, includes "my goodness, oh my gosh?"). A pastor mentioned that God is not just concerned with our outward behaviour and actions but more so with our thoughts (which Jesus implies...holding us to a higher standard because God knows every thought). So this person I know has gone as far as to censor/erase all the words in books/novels that he owns with words that uses God's name in vain, which I assume will help him avoid looking at these words while reading then sinning because he is thinking about these words => using God's name in vain.
Is this a matter of:
1. Legalism
2. Adding fence laws to God's laws
3. Honouring God
4. Obeying the law
Would such action actually help him to avoid sinning in his thoughts?
I don't know what to make of it ...just very curious. And is it also a matter of faith: whatever you do that is not of faith is sinning so maybe reading novels with 'Unchristian" ideas, words can also be a sin for him if he does not believe that it aligns with his faith?
One of the commandments is to NOT use God's not in vain (which by the way, includes "my goodness, oh my gosh?"). A pastor mentioned that God is not just concerned with our outward behaviour and actions but more so with our thoughts (which Jesus implies...holding us to a higher standard because God knows every thought). So this person I know has gone as far as to censor/erase all the words in books/novels that he owns with words that uses God's name in vain, which I assume will help him avoid looking at these words while reading then sinning because he is thinking about these words => using God's name in vain.
Is this a matter of:
1. Legalism
2. Adding fence laws to God's laws
3. Honouring God
4. Obeying the law
Would such action actually help him to avoid sinning in his thoughts?
I don't know what to make of it ...just very curious. And is it also a matter of faith: whatever you do that is not of faith is sinning so maybe reading novels with 'Unchristian" ideas, words can also be a sin for him if he does not believe that it aligns with his faith?