Does God judge our thoughts?

[HatGuy]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

 

[TheWhat?]

I'm inclined to a yes & no. No, in that I have at times been able to shrug off random thoughts as random neuron firings, triggered by external influences which have nothing to do with who I am or what my motives are. But the danger of OCD is that one can allow it to take over, and that is where I think this confuses the subject. We're assured that God does judge the motives and intents of the heart, even if oppressed by external influences, although the nature of the oppression does not reflect the true motives of the oppressed.

 

[NBB]

People can have a wicked or dirty mind, or hate, envy, greed, bad lust, etc, that is sin.
And God knows everything, i don't think he needs to 'read your mind' he just knows everything about you.
But ocd instrusive thoughts is not you, those are not your thoughts. I had strong intrusive thoughts before.

 

[Abaxvahl]

Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

For the thoughts that you choose on purpose, yes. Mere thoughts passing through your head against your will repetitively are not sins, but are signs of the Fallen Condition mankind is in. All sins are an act of the will, and you can choose to think about something sinful, I call it an "interior act" because it is not external. Lust is one example of such an interior act. Sin is never involuntary. He will judge the saved and the unsaved for all of their acts, interior and exterior.

 

[JIMINZ]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

Jesus spoke on the subject of what defiles a man. (Sin)

Mar 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
Mar 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
Mar 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mar 7:17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
Mar 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
Mar 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Mar 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Jesus said first, its what comes out of a man, that could be understood to mean your outward actions.
Secondly these are the thoughts and intents of the heart, not random thoughts or repetitive thoughts which would influence us from outside.

Jesus gave a good list of all those things which defile the man that does them, not just thinks about them.

Lastly

1Jn 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;
for his seed remaineth in him:
and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

 

[lsume]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

Please if you don’t mind pray on this; the law given to Moses is a guide in life but Christ is the way the truth and the life. I realize that you probably know the preceding Scripture as well. However, what Christ instructs us to do is absolutely impossible without Him fully in your life. This requires being converted. Look for Christ. Start by attempting to live The Word as best you can. Prayer is important. We cannot even approach God without going through Christ.

 

[Clare73]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

The born again do not lose eternal life.

All your sin is under the blood. You don't need all the theological gymnastics.

Just simply confess it, reject it, do not act on it and leave it with God.
And everytime it comes up, just agree with God about it being sin, that you reject it and leave it to him.

Try to live with this mindset of depending on God not to account it to you because it is not something you want and because of the blood of Jesus which covers it based on your faith and love of God.

Keek thinking in terms of God as your "go to," as the solution to the spiritual consequences when you take it to him and leave it with him.

Can OCD's do that?

 

[zippy2006]

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

We are responsible for the things that we will, including thoughts. That said, many have rightly pointed out that not all thoughts are volitional. Ergo, we are only responsible for volitional thoughts.

But the important thing to remember is that thoughts are less real than actions, and therefore our culpability for thoughts is significantly less than it is for actions. A bad tree producing bad fruit is a bad person producing bad actions. Thoughts are the intermediary between the person and their actions. They can be good or bad, but this is primarily because they relate to good or bad actions that will be carried out on the basis of such thoughts.

Thus if the Lord shows us that we are intentionally thinking bad thoughts, this should be taken as a sign of warning rather than as a sign of condemnation. If we are thinking bad thoughts then we are on a bad path and must correct course before those thoughts give birth to bad actions. That is how I believe we are to understand bad thoughts.

 

[com7fy8]

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds.

A voyeur is not everywhere; he or she can choose where he or she goes to listen and see what is private.

But God is everywhere present, and so He is aware of everything; there is no choice about this, because God is everywhere and all-aware.

So, Christopher is misrepresenting who God is, and accusing his make-believe god. Actually, Satan is the one who has no right or business to see and know anything, really, I would say. So, Christopher has God and Satan mixed up!!

It is good, how God is all knowing and has all control, because He can manage things according to what He knows is really true . . . making sure His good shall come to pass while evil is kept in check.

 

[com7fy8]

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

Well, if your thoughts are right, then it is good that God knows what your thoughts are. They can be prayers, maybe, in some way. God can answer our thoughts, when and how He pleases; plus God coordinates all things, including in keeping with our thoughts which are according to His will.

So, as long as you do not agree with thoughts which are evil, keep trusting God to do what He pleases . . . according to His thoughts which are guaranteed to succeed Satan is the one who brings stupid and cruel thoughts, and they can not get anywhere with God; so, likewise, do not let them get anywhere with you >

"nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27)

Know who is God, and know that cruel and stupid thoughts are not sure to succeed. Possibly, they are coming to you because they have gotten nowhere against Jesus. Because >

"God resists the proud" (in James 4:6 and also in 1 Peter 5:5).

And Satan is a lier and the father of lies . . . including intrusive thoughts which are a lie > John 8:44. So, if lying and unloving thoughts come against you, acknowledge them as being evil and do not give in to them. Their shame and guilt belong to them, not to you; so do not allow their cruel filth to mess with you!

And you can simply refuse them, and trust God to have us thinking what is good.

So, in case you know they are wrong, then do not agree with them, and trust God and resist what is cruel and stupid.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

Satan is the one who is cruel and stupid with evil; And God's word says to resist him.

So, do not give in the shame and guilt about thoughts which you do not agree with.

If someone shoots at you with a bullet, you are not the one who is guilty of shooting the bullet, right? So, like this, in case evil and cruel thoughts come against you, trust that God's if you started and agree with those thoughts.

It is good that God knows what really is your own thinking, because God will not judge you for what He knows you did not start and what He knows you do not cooperate with.

And trust God to protect your mind with His peace which is almighty.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

 

[Jay Sea]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

Before we can judge an action or anticipated action we have to think on it to be able to decide what we will or will not do about it. It is only after we have decided that the action is wrong that we should not dwell on it in thought. Then the thought is up for G-d's judgement. The same thoughts may come up again in other or similar situations. Again judgement only comes if we entertain the thoughts for longer than needed to make decision to reject or accept action. With reading scripture and Christian ethics and even secular books on behaviour so we can strengthen our resolve for change we can rest easy knowing that even if we occasionally sin (ie miss the mark) we will with help of prayer and action we will progress as disciple of Yeshua.
In LOve
Jay Sea

 

[Clare73]

.

 

[fhansen]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

Voyeuristic-that's an inane thought itself. God knows us better than we know ourselves, far better, including our weaknesses, silliness, flaws, etc. And loves us with a love that we can barely begin to fathom. He's on our side-regardless. That's what love does. He's already in every part of us, truth be known. It's only ourselves who may wish to reject Him.

 

[HappyHope]

Growing up, I was told that God judges our thoughts - and our emotions.

Scriptures like this have always been to show this concept:

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Or

"anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment." (v22)

Atheists like Christopher Hitchens have accused God of being "voyeuristic", listening to our thoughts and reading our minds. I've often wondered about this criticism in light of the above.

Recently, I've discovered that I suffer from OCD - "Pure OCD" to be exact. This has to do with dealing with intrusive thoughts, with the resultant guilt and shame.

The idea that you are judged for your thoughts fuels a lot of OCD. Only sufferers would know.

I thought, though, it would make for a very interesting theological discussion. Does God judge us for our thoughts? Does he read our every thought and weigh it up? Yes, I understand grace and all that, but OCD is complex for one, and secondly, does He judge anyone - even the unsaved - for their thoughts? Or their emotions?

I understand the spiritual realm God/Jesus/Angels look us through the blood of Jesus and at the character of our spirits/ our intentions. No need to be living in fear that you are to be crushed by every single stray thought.