Is thinking bad things the same as doing them?
"You have heard what was said to people who lived long ago. They were told, 'Do not commit murder. Anyone who murders will be judged for it.' But here is what I tell you. Do not be angry with a brother or sister..." (Matthew 5:21-22).
"You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know what I’m thinking even though you are far away" (Psalm 139:2).
Thinking bad things and doing them are two different problems.Jesus taught that we are to do the right thing and think the right thing. For example, murder is wrong. So is being angry against someone else in your thoughts (Matthew 5:21-22). God cares about our thoughts and our actions.
If this is true, then how can we ever do the right thing all of the time? The truth is that we can’t do the right thing every time. Everyone makes mistakes. We need God’s forgiveness to make us right with God.
Trying hard is not enough. We must believe in Jesus by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it." Our job is to believe. God’s job is to make us right with Him.
