Moment of Meditation: Evil Thoughts (Matthew 15:19-20)

Original Broadcast: September 2010

Monthly Theme: Ninth Commandment

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean.
(Matthew 15:19-20)

Evil Thoughts

In discussing cleanness and uncleanness, Jesus drives right to the heart of the matter. He goes to the heart. The seat of the passions. Where everything has its beginning. Jesus begins His litany of sins against the Second Table with "evil thoughts." Every action begins as a thought. Sin is conceived in thought. St. James says, "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (1:15).

Jesus came to die to save us even from our thoughts. His first word from the cross shows this: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). They don't know. They're not thinking straight. Their thoughts deceive them.

Do not be deceived. Jesus loves you and has rescued you even from your most evil thoughts. Praise Him for that today. Amen.