What does the Bible say about naughty thoughts?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that sinful thoughts are not harmless private matters but arise from the fallen heart and should be confessed, resisted, and replaced through God’s renewing grace. Jesus warns in Matthew 5:28 that lustful looking is adultery of the heart, while Matthew 15:19 traces evil desires to within. James 1:14-15 shows that indulged desire conceives and leads toward sin and death. Yet believers are not left helpless: through union with Christ, they are called to put off the old self and be renewed in mind (Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 12:2). Christians should take thoughts captive to obey Christ, guard the heart, and dwell on what is true, pure, and praiseworthy (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Philippians 4:8 9 votes
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- Colossians 3:2 8 votes
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.
- Matthew 5:28 8 votes
but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- James 1:14-15 6 votes
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death.
- 2 Corinthians 10:5 6 votes
throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
- Romans 12:2 5 votes
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- Ephesians 4:22-24 5 votes
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
- Matthew 15:19 3 votes
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
- Psalms 19:14 3 votes
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.
- Proverbs 4:23 3 votes
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
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