Is The thought as bad as the deed?

michel · Mar 13, 2005

I've always thought, in my own mind, that thinking of 'something bad' makes us just as guilty as if we carried out the deed. How do you all feel about this ?

Scuba Pete · Mar 13, 2005

The thought precedes the deed, and is responsible for it happening. It is the thing that seperates us from God.

Matthew 5:21. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

michel · Mar 13, 2005

NetDoc said:
The thought precedes the deed, and is responsible for it happening. It is the thing that seperates us from God.

Matthew 5:21. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

I think you misunderstood me NetDoc; I probably worded my question badly. What I was trying to say was 'if I think of a bad deed, but don't actually commit it, is the fact that I have though of it as bad as actually doing it ?'

Master Vigil · Mar 13, 2005

I would definitely say no. The thought would only exist in your head, and not affect the world as much as if you acted it out. If you think of it, and completely forget about it, I feel theres no harm done.

Sunstone · Mar 13, 2005

Thinking that a bad thought is as bad as an action is a good way to go crazy, IMO.

Yerda · Mar 13, 2005

I'll take nasty thoughts over knife in he back.

No*s · Mar 13, 2005

michel said:
I've always thought, in my own mind, that thinking of 'something bad' makes us just as guilty as if we carried out the deed. How do you all feel about this ?

I don't know how I'd way the two, but thoughts lead to actions, and both reflect the heart. I think this is the reason Jesus equated them. What makes us good/bad comes from within, not without.

Pah · Mar 13, 2005

michel said:
I've always thought, in my own mind, that thinking of 'something bad' makes us just as guilty as if we carried out the deed. How do you all feel about this ?

I sometimes experience a bit of pride for not having posted what I really thought. No guilt there!

Lightkeeper · Mar 13, 2005

Is having a good thought the same as doing good? No! We are human and are going to have all kinds of thoughts. Stifling your thoughts can lead to bad deeds. Think the thought and let it pass. It is our actions that count.

Scuba Pete · Mar 13, 2005

MV,

I understood you clearly (I think). The deeds are the results of our desires.

James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Irritation becomes dislike. Dislike gives way to hate. Hate causes a multitude of sins including violence and murder. The thoughts are the real cancer. They mature into rape, theft, murder, adultery, war, and all sorts of sins.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Green Gaia · Mar 13, 2005

What is your definition of "as bad"?

Bad thoughts may not hurt the person they are directed at like bad deeds would, but they do hurt the person who had the bad thoughts.

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought." - Buddha

Lycan · Mar 14, 2005

I would say absolutely no....

I had thoughts of how I could cause the slow painful death of my ex- husband. It was out of pain and anger that I had those thoughts, but of course I never acted on them and unfortunately the butthead is alive and well. I think sometimes, overcome with different feelings, things just pop into our heads and as long as we are reasonable, sane individuals they are healthy and help us to deal with whatever caused them. IMHO

michel · Mar 14, 2005

Sunstone said:
Thinking that a bad thought is as bad as an action is a good way to go crazy, IMO.

I know what you mean; there have been many times in my life when I've felt a burning desire to 'switch off' the whole though process; I just can't help it - the way I see things, I mean.

No*s · Mar 14, 2005

Maize said:
What is your definition of "as bad"?

Bad thoughts may not hurt the person they are directed at like bad deeds would, but they do hurt the person who had the bad thoughts.

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought." - Buddha

The Buddha, there, echoes my sentiments. Actions spring from our thoughts and who we are (granted, actions can also shape thoughts). As such, evil thoughts will shape the person over time. Of course, I don't have a handle on my thoughts.

Melody · Mar 14, 2005

michel said:
I've always thought, in my own mind, that thinking of 'something bad' makes us just as guilty as if we carried out the deed. How do you all feel about this ?

I had this conversation last summer with my sister-in-law who is a *very* conservative Christian and her belief is that if you think it, you've sinned.

I disagree but then I make a distinction between a thought and dwelling on something. For example...you purchase some items in a store and you notice the clerk has erred and given you back too much change. The thought runs through your mind that you can just keep quiet since it's not your fault that she made a mistake, but catch yourself and speak up. I don't believe you've sinned because you immediately corrected that errant thought and did the right thing.

Now, take that a step further. You spend the next day telling yourself, "oh man...I should've kept my mouth shut and kept the money." Now, despite the fact that you've given back the money, I believe you've sinned in your heart because you really wanted to keep the money.

My brother made me see this from another viewpoint. He believes that he sins because he lusts after women when he's married. My first response was...you're a man....your point? However, he made the distinction between looking at a pretty woman and thinking "wow" and looking at one and imagining have sex with her. The first is a stray thought. The second is so much more.

Anyway, it's a fine line but my God isn't a sadist and only a sadist would condemn us as sinners for the stray thoughts that run through our brains.

michel · Mar 14, 2005

PART QUOTE : Melody

[My brother made me see this from another viewpoint. He believes that he sins because he lusts after women when he's married. My first response was...you're a man....your point? However, he made the distinction between looking at a pretty woman and thinking "wow" and looking at one and imagining have sex with her. The first is a stray thought. The second is so much more.

Anyway, it's a fine line but my God isn't a sadist and only a sadist would condemn us as sinners for the stray thoughts that run through our brains.[/QUOTE]
Ah, but a) I punish myself!b)'The first is a stray thought' but that one bothers me too!

Scuba Pete · Mar 14, 2005

Michel is right... there is a HUGE difference between appreciating beauty and wanting to have what is not yours.

Between anger and wishing to do harm.

Between hurt and wanting to retaliate.

Between inconvenience and wanting to lie.

john5746 · Mar 14, 2005

Maize said:
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought." - Buddha

No, things happen that have nothing to do with our thoughts. Like getting hit by a truck.

Thoughts do not compare to action. This would be very arrogant, to think our thoughts are as important as what happens to others.

I agree it has an affect on the person who has the thoughts. For example, Person A & B do the same good deed. Person A does it to help the other person. Person B does it from self interest. Person B may be dissappointed if his interests are not served, but Person A will not.

So bad thoughts may make you an angry or sad person, but if they never result in any action, that's about the sum of it.

Green Gaia · Mar 14, 2005

john5746 said:
This would be very arrogant, to think our thoughts are as important as what happens to others.

I think they are equally important because they both cause suffering.

So bad thoughts may make you an angry or sad person, but if they never result in any action, that's about the sum of it.

Never? I would say that bad thoughts are the beginning of EVERY bad action. Also, why is being an angry person not a seen as "bad" if it does not harm another person, when we all agree it harms the person who is angry?

Unedited · Mar 14, 2005

No. Bad thoughts are human nature. For instance, there have been many times Ive thought about punching my little brother square in the nose, but I havent. Well, not as many times as Ive wanted to anyway.

I guess I see it as being a personal thing. Unless youre a psychopath, you know when youve done something wrong. I never feel guilty about any thoughts I have. No matter how cruel or wrong they may be, theyre me, and I dont think its good to feel guilty about being me.

Is The thought as bad as the deed?

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