Word of Encouragement (4/25/2020)
This morning, we will think more about what we are to confess.
Our Shorter Catechism says this: “No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed” (#82). Also, our Confession says, “…all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil” (33:1). It is obvious from these words that we are to confess not only our sinful, external deeds and words but also our inner thoughts as well.
We can see why. God sees what goes on even in the secret chamber of our mind. Nothing is hidden from his sight, even our thoughts. When it comes to divine judgment, every act of ours is on the table, even the movements of our thoughts. This was clear even in the Old Testament. What was the Tenth Commandment? “You shall not covet…” (Ex. 20:17). Lest people thought that they were accountable only for their external behaviors, the Tenth Commandment was there to show the full scope of human accountability to God.
But is it really fair for us to be judged for our thoughts, too? Should we be faulted for thinking bad things if we don’t say them or carry them out to actually hurt others? When we suppress our evil thoughts and not carry them out, isn't that something to be commended for? Shouldn't that be seen as strength of character? Very true. So here, we should distinguish between the tempting thoughts that suddenly pop up in our minds and the sinful thoughts that we choose to dwell on. We are told that Jesus was tempted in every respect as we are but He was without sin (Heb. 4:15), not even in His thoughts. And Jesus said, “I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). It is one thing to get a glimpse of a beautiful woman and be struck by her beauty; it is another to go on to form lustful thoughts. We will not be judged for the former but we will certainly be judged by the latter.
It is along this line that Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21-22). Emerson rightly observed, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.” Our character is shaped by what we think and the character that is shaped by our thoughts is bound to come out in some way. This is why Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Rom. 12:2). Changing our behaviors and external circumstances can effect some changes in us but lasting changes come when our thoughts/beliefs are changed.
We should confess every form of violating God’s law—not just in our deeds and words but also in our thoughts, too—because we are accountable to God for every aspect of our being. But it’s important for another reason. Remember we said that our confession is not for God’s information but for our transformation. By confessing even the sins of our thoughts, we are asking God to transform us by the power of the gospel even in our inner being. We already spoke of the fundamental importance of renewing our mind for our sanctification. Knowing that we cannot hide anything from God, including our thoughts, and knowing that renewing our mind is fundamental to our spiritual growth, let us be especially careful and thorough in confessing the sins of our hearts.