Can a thought be a sin? Some say thoughts aren’t sins unless you put them into action, but I’m not sure.

What I or someone else thinks about thoughts isn’t worth much, but let’s see what Jesus says about it. In Matthew 5:21, 22, our Lord says, “Ye have heard that it was said … Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” He’s not actually calling someone like this a murderer, but He’s discussing the importance about thinking angry thoughts.

Now jump down to verse 27. “Ye have heard that it was said … Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Here the Lord is telling us that sin is not always an action, it’s an attitude. It’s thoughts.

In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord spent a lot more time talking about the attitude of pride and arrogance and sinful thoughts than the actual deeds, because every sinful deed originates with a thought in the mind. So if we’re going to squelch sin, we need to begin by asking the Lord to get our minds and our thoughts captive to the Holy Spirit. That’s where all sin originates.

According to Christian tradition the seven deadly sins are: envy, gluttony, greed or avarice, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. You can find a list and meanings of the seven deadly sins below.

1. Lust

Lust is a strong passion or longing, especially for sexual desires.

The Bible speaks about lust in 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace...”

The Bible also mentions lust in the following verses: Job 31:1, Matthew 5:28, Philippians 4:8, James 1:14-15, 1 Peter 2:11 and 1 John 2:16.

Chastity or self-control cures lust by controlling passion and leveraging that energy for the good of others.

 

2. Gluttony

Gluttony is an excessive and ongoing eating of food or drink.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Additional Bible references include: Psalm 78:17-19, Philippians 3:19-20, Proverbs 23:1-3, Proverbs 23:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

Temperance cures gluttony by implanting the desire to be healthy, therefore making one fit to serve others.

 

3. Greed

Greed is an excessive pursuit of material goods.

The Bible says the following in Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

Other biblical texts which mention greed include: Exodus 20:17, Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 28:25, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Philippians 4:6 and 1 Timothy 6:9-10.

Charity cures greed by putting the desire to help others above storing up treasure for one’s self.

 

4. Sloth

Sloth is an excessive laziness or the failure to act and utilize one’s talents.

Solomon spoke of sloth in Proverbs 6:6 saying, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.”

The Bible also mentions sloth in the following verses: Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 24:33-34, Romans 12:11-13, Colossians 3:23 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Diligence or zeal cures slothfulness by placing the interest of others above a life of ease and relaxation.

 

5. Wrath

Wrath is a strong anger and hate towards another person.

The Bible speaks about wrath in Romans 12:19, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”

Additional Bible verses include: Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 15:1, Ephesians 4:26-27, Colossians 3:8 and James 1:19-20.

Patience cures wrath by one first understanding the needs and desires of others before acting or speaking.

 

6. Envy

Envy is the intense desire to have an item that someone else possesses.

The Bible says the following in Proverbs 14:30, “A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.”

Other biblical texts which mention envy include: Job 5:2, Psalm 37:1, Proverbs 24:19-20, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Galatians 5:26 and James 3:14-16.

Kindness cures envy by placing the desire to help others above the need to supersede them.

 

7. Pride

Pride is an excessive view of one's self without regard for others.

The Bible says the following in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “...Let not the mighty man boast of his might...but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me...”

Pride is also mentioned in the following verses: Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:18, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 6:3 and James 4:6-7.

Humility cures pride by removing one's ego and boastfulness, therefore allowing the attitude of service.