Evil thoughts!

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

"Deal with each man according to all he does, since You know his heart (for You alone know the hearts of all men.)" 1 Kings 8:39

"O righteous God, You who examine inner thoughts and motives. Psalm 7:9

"The LORD knows our thoughts." Psalm 94:11

"The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD." Proverbs 15:26

"Their thoughts are evil thoughts." Isaiah 59:7

"How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?" Jeremiah 4:14

"Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?" Matthew 9:4

The very thoughts of our hearts are all open and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account, and He regards them as infallible marks of the state of our souls! Those thoughts indeed which are rejected instantly with indignation, do not leave any stain upon the soul; but those evil thoughts which are in the least degree harbored and indulged, most assuredly defile us. We are told that "the very thought of foolishness is sin!" Proverbs 24:9. And Simon Magus was exhorted to "pray that the thoughts of his heart might be forgiven." Acts 8:22

Indeed it is but a small part of the wickedness of the heart that reveals itself by words and actions. All sin is first conceived in the imagination--and much of it lies buried there for lack of an opportunity to break forth. Who can number:
  the proud thoughts,
  the impure thoughts,
  the unloving thoughts,
  the revengeful thoughts,
  the unbelieving thoughts,
  and the vain thoughts,
that often lodge in the soul?
Who can estimate the guilt which we contract by means of them?

It is worthy of remark, that these are the very things whereby our Lord himself says that the heart is defiled! "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evil things come from within and defile a man!" Mark 7:21-22. These are the wicked things which, when brought to maturity, fill the world with adulteries, murders, and all manner of abominations!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way!" Psalm 139:23-24