Where Does Sin Begin?

 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."

Matthew 15:19 (NIV)

What thoughts occupied your mind in the first five minutes after you woke up this morning?

In this verse, Jesus cuts straight to the heart of human nature. Sin doesn't begin when your hand reaches for something forbidden or when your mouth speaks harsh words. It starts much earlier, in the hidden chambers of your heart and mind.

Before any act of disobedience, there's always a thought. Jesus makes it clear that evil actions flow from evil thoughts like water flowing from a spring. Your heart is the source, and everything you do flows from what's stored there.

If impure thoughts fill your mind, they often come from impure input. The entertainment you consume, the conversations you engage in, and the social media feeds you scroll through. All of this shapes your inner world. Like a relentless cancer, sin can invade and kill a healthy thought life. But you don't have to let it win. The moment a thought appears, you can choose to replace it.

When anxiety overwhelms you at work this week, instead of letting your mind spiral into fear or anger, pause and pray: "God, you've given me your peace. Help me access it right now." When temptation whispers, replace that thought immediately with Scripture or worship.

God is transforming your mind as a Christ-follower. Test your inputs against His standard through His Word, and watch sin decrease as Christ increases.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for transforming my mind. Help me guard what I allow into my thoughts. When impure ideas try to take root, give me your strength to replace them with truth. Fill my heart with thoughts that honor you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.