"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:17

Sometimes people point to the Sermon on the Mount saying that Jesus introduced the concept of “the spirit of the law” in contrast to “the letter of the law.” Jesus did talk about how the thoughts and intentions of the heart are every bit as important as what people actually do. He pointed out the connection between hatred and murder, and between lust and adultery as examples of the spirit and letter of the law.

Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount were not the first time God revealed this concept, however. The tenth of the Ten Commandments reveals the importance of “the spirit of the law.” In the Ten Commandments, God not only prohibited adultery, He prohibited coveting another person’s spouse. He not only prohibited stealing another’s possessions, He prohibited coveting another’s possessions. Clearly, the Ten Commandments address the root problem of sinful actions, which begin in sinful hearts.

Though this has been mentioned previously, it bears repeating. Sinful actions cause more damage since actions harm others. But sinful thoughts are no less damning since God knows and judges our hearts as well as our actions.

This is a great reminder that we are not done striving against sin because we refrain from acting sinfully if we are dwelling on sin in our hearts and minds. The reason is that thoughts, no matter how well we do at curtailing sinful actions, often do eventually break out into actions. Let us fight sin not only by disciplining our actions. Let us also pray that God will transform our hearts and minds.