Instead, why isn't it asked "What's Not Right"? Obviously they know somethings wrong inside, but maybe they've failed to align such thoughts with what is right?
2 Cor 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. NIV
Think about it, society punishes on what basis? Only what people "DO" wrong or what people get caught doing what so many have already judged in advance to be wrong?
"Caught" and "Judged" to mean specific acts that have been prejudged wrong by society that when or if caught doing them all that's needed is the name and face (address) of the offender who gave life to those type of thoughts.
What does the word "Lurk" or Lurking conjure in your thinking? Exactly where does evil 'Lurk" in this world?
Only in dark allies? In the shadows of some seedy dimly lit night club, strip joint or in some vacant parking lot in the back seat of a car?
Food for thought, if it is Known (accepted) that God is "Spirit" (can't be touched or handled), why do so many look at God's choice of words said to also be His presence only as "Poetic, Lofty, Adrift or Alloof"?
Gen 4:7
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." NIV
Does it only lurk in the cooler of the liquor store down on the corner? Aren't those mentioned so far only physical addresses?
How about evil at the address of said "church" building?
If evil were to be considered "Lurking" there, where might one find it? Better still, if evil were NOT thought to be lurking in the church building why bother even looking for it?
If private thoughts are only "Thoughts" that also "Pass" who is it that gives them a "Free pass"? Where might the essence of evil hide itself IF it ever were taught it could also be AT a church building?
Do you only look for it in dark places? Maybe in the the broom closet? Maybe over behind the chemical cleaning supplies? Maybe if your stealthy Indian skills are keen you find it hiding and catch it in the food pantry over behind the coffee?
If you can't find it at any of these places, how do you find evil in such a places instead of preaching as if evil is ONLY somewhere out there waiting to jump on you when you leave?
Why NOT bother to look behind the well "Polished" smile or those well dressed with a clean cropped hairdo?
Let's compare the storage place of the mind to some of the the other places mentioned above?
Let's say evil had really hidden itself well, do we then find then in the cooler at the liquor store hidden behind the front row and numerous brands of 12 packs of beer? Has it disguised itself as a bottle of Vodka or maybe that well known evil bottle and devilish Tequila that has the little worm in it?
Don't forget to look over behind the life size display of your favorite football star who has a 6 pack (get your mind out of the gutter I was talking about six pack of beer in his hand)?
Some might suggest "Faith, Morals and/or Principals" prevent them from acting "Out" on thoughts, yet if it had to be One person whose held responsible for instilling such things, who is it and on what basis?
Exactly what is it that prevents someone from doing whatever it is they've been told is also "WRONG"?
Exactly how long do these otherwise invisible notions (Faith, Morals or Principals) find themselves able to stand up against what has been prejudged to be evil? As if this dominate Lordship that does "Rule" over ones thought life?
Do thoughts only become sins once they can be "Photographed"?
In terms of judging and weighing things, how long is it before a thought becomes a deed that's done? That question being asked without regard to those said "Deeds" being good or evil?
While in this world and in the scope of what God considers to be sin, what is that would have you to focus only on the action taken? Why not the spirit (essence) that's responsible for the thoughts that lead up to someone acting on those thoughts and gives (lends) there bodies as if a symbol of commitment?
How does God find the thoughts within a man which lead him to do all that he does or doesn't do?
If God loves sacrifice why would someone who brings a sacrifice to the altar of God be found detestable?
For years I couldn't see what made Cains sacrifice he brought before the Lord unacceptable or detestable?
Remember Cain was a man of the soil and not a man who had and kept herds of Cattle, Sheep and Goats so how could he have brought the fattened portions before God?
Prov 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable — how much more so when brought with evil intent! NIV
What could possibly have been evil about Cain? He hadn't killed Cain yet had he? So by todays standards technically he wasn't guilty of sin yet was he? So what was God discerning when he did comment about Cains "Offering"?
Wasn't Cain the first born?
The first born which also came with specific birth rights? A certain kind of approval from dad and mom no other sibling could simply take away? So what was "Wrong" with Cain and what wasn't "Right" about him?
If it were present what would malice and jealousy have looked like between Cain and Abel and for what reason? As if such only God could discern no matter how hard Cain tried to cover it up with his offering?
Who were they esteeming when they would bring offerings before God (altar)? Was there so much more hoopla being made over Abel's offerings that would somehow diminish the thoughts of Cains offering?
A certain type of "Praise" which incited jealousy and rage within this man enough to kill his brother? What was so "Right" with Abel's offering.
Gen 4:4
But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.NIV
Heb 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. NIV
Matt 5:23-24
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar . First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. NIV
Ps 50:16-21
But to the wicked, God says:
"What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.
These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you.
But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
NIV
Luke 2:34-35
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.NIV
Yet what does the Lord have to say about the murderer who in his heart has hatred towards his brother is "Guilty" of murder?
To even further that thought consider the Apostle Paul who may not have physically cast a single stone, yet he made it very easy for others to feel justified after the fact in their "Stoning" (killing) of Stephen.
2 Tim 2:19
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his ," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
NIV
Enough so where we then hear if we continue to listen to this SAME man who SEEMS in the mind of many to be highly exalted say of himself "What a wretch that I am"?
Is the blindness Jesus talks about, only knowing that something IS considered to be sin (wrong) only if you do it?
John 9:41
Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. NIV
The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile. Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. NIV
Prov 18:15-16
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
NIV
Is it possible Cain somehow thought within himself he could purchase the favor of God with his offering?
Can such a consideration that can only be seen for what it is and how his offering was seen by God as such that it was only when we also "SEE" Cain for what was in his heart AND as we each then come in order to know and hopefully find ourselves able to see into the heart of God?
1 Cor 3:18-4:2
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."
So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
1 Corinthians 4
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
NIV
Rom 6:23
3 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NIV
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