So often what we think comes out in our words and actions. We often think our thoughts are harmless, but in actuality, our thoughts have the power over what we do. This is especially true in our relationship with others. One characteristic of love is a pure mind as we see in 1 Corinthians 13:5: “love thinks no evil.” While you may never slander or speak ill of someone you love, your thoughts could tell a completely different story. However, true love not only speaks well of others, but it also thinks kindly of them as well.
Imagine if every thought you had was spoken the minute you thought it. Imagine if thoughts were no longer private, but everyone around you could hear what you were thinking. How would your thoughts change? Would people that you say you love hear that you find them annoying, self-centered, or irritating? Many times we think things we would never speak, but we must realize the danger of our thought life because our thoughts will eventually become our words. Proverbs 23:7: “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…”
Our thoughts are considered private, known only to us, but the truth of the matter is that God knows and hears everything we think. 1 Chronicles 28:9: “…for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.” Psalm 94:11: “The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.” Isaiah 66:18: “For I know their works and their thoughts.” Matthew 9:4: “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” 1 Corinthians 3:20: “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
Scripture clearly teaches that God knows our every thought, and He takes our thoughts very seriously. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Therefore guarding our thoughts and not thinking evil of others should be as important to us as what we say or do. This is why Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
What are your thoughts concerning those you call your friends? Do you find yourself, on many occasions, degrading them in your mind? Our text is clear … “love thinks no evil” (1 Cor. 13:5). Take some time at this moment to ask God for forgiveness for your sinful thinking and ask Him to help you think of others in the same manner you would speak about them. As Jesus said in Luke 6:31: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”