“Dangerous Minds”

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

A few months ago, I read something I felt was bad about God on the internet. One night, out of nowhere, I had a thought of what I read come across my mind. I asked for forgiveness, and I tried to forget about it. I thought of it again a day ago, and now it is haunting me. Will God forgive me?

Sincerely, Frustratingly Fixated

Dear Frustratingly Fixated,

There is a difference between something popping into your brain and you purposefully dwelling upon an evil thought. Everyone has random thoughts and random ideas entering their mind – it is what you do with those thoughts that matter. The devil placed the thought of betraying Christ into the mind of Judas (Jhn 13:2), but when Judas acted upon those thoughts, he sinned (Lk 22:48).

James explains how sin is conceived in the mind, but then it is brought forth and born when we dwell upon it (Jas 1:14-15). From what you have said, you haven’t sinned yet. However, it is always a good idea to counteract ungodly thoughts with godly thoughts. Do what Paul told the Philippians – dwell upon good things, and the positive will begin to replace the negative (Php 4:8).

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