10th commandment: is coveting a sin or is acting on those feelings a sin?

Question

I'm trying to understand whether or not the Bible claims that certain thoughts are sinful, or whether only actions can be considered sin.

For example, I find my downstairs neighbor's fiancee quite attractive and I have covetous feelings about her. I wouldn't act on these feelings because I have respect for their relationship.

Am I sinning according to the Bible?

Answer 1

Given that the Bible operates under the assumption that God can hear all your thoughts and see the inmost desires of your heart, just feeling covetous is plenty sin enough. Even if you never act on it.

Of course, if you believe in a logical, fair God who gives you the benefit of the doubt and only punishes you when you act even though you know it's wrong, then you must believe in some other God. The Abrahamic God is definitely not logical or fair.

Answer 2

It's a little like the basis of law in which the intention of the act is the crime and the carrying out is only the finalisation.

This is to say that a thought may enter you head as is natural but the converting of that thought which is the obsessive longing for that object is the wrong doing.

This concept makes sense outside of biblical context in that wanting that which you can't have will only cause you to suffer.

AS far as sinning according to the Bible, Yes you are.

But worse! From a psychological point of view you could risk becoming obsessive!
It's better out than in, as I always say!

Repression of desire will lead to negativity and pain!
And worry about that repression in the form of a sin will cause you internal conflict.
The best thing is to be open and they them have you think she is really hot! and laugh about it.
Also find a way to turn the situation into something real and you can stay in touch with reality, Keep it in your mind and you will slip off into fantasy land.

Answer 3

Coveting is a sin, you are supposed to be content with what you have, however, there is a difference between coveting and trying to gain more in life, as defined by the Holy Bible, as Jesus quite clearly stated," Live each day as it is your last, but work as though you are going to live 1000 years." Of chourse Jesus also said he who even looks at his neighbors wife lustfully has already commited a sin, then he continues to say that there are only 2 commandments a person must follow to enter into the kingdom of heaven, 1. Thou shalt have no other God before me, and 2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Answer 4

Homosexuality is a sexual sin and interior the comparable class as a heterosexual who lusts after others. the element it extremely is distinctive although, is that when I lust after a woman, I make an apology and attempt to alter my procedures. people appealing in homosexuality do no longer repent through fact they do no longer see that what they are doing is inaccurate. additionally, there are countless commandments God provides us outdoors of the ten commandments. and not purely is homosexuality stated negatively interior the OT, it is likewise achieved in Romans got here across interior the NT. Sin could be dedicated in thoughts, movements, or words. we are in a position to additionally sin by omission by employing no longer doing the failings that God does call us to do, so it extremely is not all approximately appearing it out. finally, the rationalization homosexuality is stated plenty is whilst you evaluate it extremely is between the nice and cozy subjects in our lifestyle as we talk. We see it in the time of our society and the various perspectives people have on it. So for sure, people choose to ask questions approximately it at here, it extremely is why it extremely is stated many times. in case you have an pastime in different commandments, submit those and that i'm confident you will get responses on them as nicely.

Answer 5

According to the Bible, thinking about the sin is just as bad as doing the sin.

Answer 6

It depends.

According to Judaism, a person is judged on their deeds. In this regard, what you are describing is temptation and refusing to give into that temptation shows that you have passed the test and that you win. Good job.

Jesus Christ taught that even just thinking about getting down with the neighbour's fiancee or getting pissed at the neighbour for his good fortune is just as bad as you having fraked said fiancee and murdered your neighbour. In that case, the plucking out of eyes is highly recommended.

Answer 7

I do not think that covetting IN YOUR MIND, not acting upon it, is sin, so long as you do not ALLOW your mind to DWELL upon it:

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

I am well aware of Matthew 5:28, and this scripture builds upon the THOUGHT, that lust gives BIRTH to sin, and the consequences of sin is death.
There are 4 steps here: lust>enticed>sin>death
To DWELL upon lust is to become enticed.....

Yet, to become exigetical and search OTHER scripture:

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Perhaps 2Co 10:5 shows just how utterly LOST we are without our Savior; who among us has no evil thoughts?
We are back to Matthew 5:28

What a sinner I am!!!

Answer 8

Coveting is the sin, because you have sinned in your thoughts. Sinning in your thoughts is every bit as bad as doing the actual thing.

Answer 9

Jesus said covet no other persons wife or belongings... and that "lust" in thought is the same as actual doing of the act.

If you have true respect for yourself.. and for the honor that your friends showed to each other ( with you exluded ) make sure you understand that sometimes..when people want what does not belong to them..it means they need to learn to refocus their energies in other ways. Focusing on taking what does not belong to someone .. is wasteful in all ways.

Answer 10

Yes, just the thoughts are a sin. God knows we are all sinful. All you can do is pray the thoughts go away and ask God for forgiveness.