Are bad thoughts sin?

[Free]

your main text is that when you look at a woman with lust, you are committing adultery in the heart, and i said that it was the looking that was sinful not the thought. and for my proof I am quoting the next verse: "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." Matthew 5:29 See if it was sin to think about it, then Jesus would have said to chop off your head and throw your brain in the trash, but He didn't, He said to get rid of the part of the body that physically sinned, it was your eyes. You control your eyes, yes, but it was the eyes that physically sinned. Like I said before you can think of stuff, but don't dwell on it because the body soon follows the thoughts, regardless of if you want it to or not. in the same passage it mentions another sin anger.

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

notice in the passage above there are two physical manifestations of thoughts that are sins. One is anger. Your thoughts can be frustrated without sin yes, but as soon as they manifest that frustration, in a physical frustration or even anger or hatred, then it's sin. And Jesus says at that point it is just like murder. The other manifestation was telling someone with your mouth "hey you fool!", or "hey you idiot!", that is a sin because your thoughts have become manifested by your tongue. So in all situations, whether it's an angry look, a lustful eye, or a spiteful tongue. They are sin because they are manifested. Renewing our mind Romans 12:2 will allow us not to manifest those angry thoughts because we will reign in the anger before it comes out. Proverbs 4:23 says guard your heart for everything flows from it. IF you can do those things and to be disciplined as 2 timothy 1:7 says, then your mind will become a wonderful tool for the Lords work. Not a computer programmed by the world, but a tool of God.

You are missing Jesus's point entirely. His whole point is that adultery is a sin without the deed being done. Lusting can manifest in the flesh as an actual act but it is a condition of the heart which plays out in one's thoughts. Jesus's point in Matt. 5:29-30 is that one must get rid of sin no matter the cost. In this case, one must deal with the source of the lustful thoughts, which is in one's heart.

Mat 15:16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?
Mat 15:17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?
Mat 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Mat 15:20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (ESV)

I rest my case.

I do not believe in once saved always saved. I believe I have eternal security because I want to be saved, yes..., But if for some reason I decided not to be saved, God would not force salvation on me at that point. I would have forfeited it.

So you believe in works salvation. Perhaps you should believe the Bible and stop stressing so much. Rest in what God has done for you. And, no, I don't believe in OSAS either.

As I stated previously, nowhere does the Bible teach that sins we do not repent of can cause forfeiture of salvation. We would all end up in hell if that were the case, as there are sins of commission and sins of omission. Your position on this specific point is not biblical.

 

[godsquadgeek]

You are missing Jesus's point entirely. His whole point is that adultery is a sin without the deed being done. Lusting can manifest in the flesh as an actual act but it is a condition of the heart which plays out in one's thoughts. Jesus's point in Matt. 5:29-30 is that one must get rid of sin no matter the cost. In this case, one must deal with the source of the lustful thoughts, which is in one's heart.

Mat 15:16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?
Mat 15:17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?
Mat 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Mat 15:20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (ESV)

I rest my case.


So you believe in works salvation. Perhaps you should believe the Bible and stop stressing so much. Rest in what God has done for you. And, no, I don't believe in OSAS either.

As I stated previously, nowhere does the Bible teach that sins we do not repent of can cause forfeiture of salvation. We would all end up in hell if that were the case, as there are sins of commission and sins of omission. Your position on this specific point is not biblical.

the context of matthew 15:19 is those things which come out of the heart. The food is not what defiles a man, but what comes out. Thoughts are part of the heart. The other thing I notice is that a study may be made that from evil thoughts spawn all the other defilements. I would not take the verse as saying that evil thoughts defile someone, as this is the only place is scripture where I see that distinction. however if it is made numerous places then it is sound to become doctrine.

 

[godsquadgeek]

You are missing Jesus's point entirely. His whole point is that adultery is a sin without the deed being done. Lusting can manifest in the flesh as an actual act but it is a condition of the heart which plays out in one's thoughts. Jesus's point in Matt. 5:29-30 is that one must get rid of sin no matter the cost. In this case, one must deal with the source of the lustful thoughts, which is in one's heart.

Mat 15:16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?
Mat 15:17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?
Mat 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Mat 15:20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (ESV)

I rest my case.


So you believe in works salvation. Perhaps you should believe the Bible and stop stressing so much. Rest in what God has done for you. And, no, I don't believe in OSAS either.

As I stated previously, nowhere does the Bible teach that sins we do not repent of can cause forfeiture of salvation. We would all end up in hell if that were the case, as there are sins of commission and sins of omission. Your position on this specific point is not biblical.

I know that you may think you are winning here, and I admit I am very compelled on the basis of studying the greek wording in matthew 15:19 to believe that thoughts are sin. Because it says right there that evil thoughts defile and this exact statement is repeated almost word for word in mark 7:21. However there is some confusion into accepting this theory, that means that satan can make us sin. Even before or besides possession of our soul. I call this the "oppression problem of Judas" I refer to one place in the bible in

John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

and we might assume, well he is possessed already and that would be normal for satan to do that in the case of possession. However only after eating the piece of bread Jesus gave Him did Satan possess Him.
John 13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

One may think well maybe Judas was possessed by another demon before satan cleaned house and came in. That is possible, but not likely seeing that I think the whole point of the issue was that Judas was protected by Jesus until a certain period of time, where Jesus gave him the bread, and said "do it quickly"

So then in conclusion what is your answer to the oppression problem of Judas where satan puts into Judas's heart that he should betray Jesus?

further more what about desire, doubt, coveting. I think these are sins but not necessarily thoughts. They seem to involve emotion and have therefore crossed over being intellectual assent.

James 1:14(NKJV)
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 4:7-8(NKJV)

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

well I believe that if there are sins we do not repent of it can cause forfeiture of salvation*, which is another topic, while you may wish to politely coexist with it, I fear it literally. That is why it's important to draw the distinction. It feels like sin therefore it is, is not a legitimate reason for declaring it biblically so. I will look up the adultery verse in some commentaries later, to make sure. But I am fairly certain no scholars I know of are declaring thoughts sinful on the basis of that passage.

more on forfeiture of salvation*
http://christianforums.net/Fellowsh...ven-god-gives-up-on-us-romans-1-26-2-1.72060/

I do not politely try to live with it. Every time I sin it is another failure. I have just come to the conclusion that though God tell us to not sin, but in order to ever be close to that we need God to be with us and strengthen us. Or at least I need it. I know of the theologies that say if you sin again you lose your salvation. Believe me this is not a polite coexisting with sin. While in the moment of sin it might be enjoyed, but it is an emberrasment, and a failure. And with regard to losing salvation it is also an anxiety. According to that idea I might never be saved because I am too weak and sin holds me too well. In order to move on I have to hope on God and His strength, love, and mercy. Not my own strength or my own purity. Be merciful to recieve mercy. Be forgiving to recieve forgiveness. But fight your sins anyways. For our love for God and love for Jesus obey both.

If you think something is a sin and do it anyways then it is a sin. That is bibically so and is a legitimate issue. But it's not the same issue I'm talking about with regards to sinful thinking. Thinking on a lustful thought is a sin in your heart. Same with anger. The only way to see it otherwise is to either ignore what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, or by trying to change the meaning of what Jesus said, and have it mean something he did not say, or somehow say something that is not what He is quoted as saying.

Be very very careful around perspectives that try to tell you what Jesus is "really saying," or what the bible is "really saying." Those kinds of perspectives rarely take into account other verses to account for a deeper meaning that can be applied in multiple situtions, but instead they usually take one verse and do their best to twist it out of context. So it does not say what it plainly says.

Your beliefs might not be in being saved and held onto but those are my greatest hopes. There is no hope for me if we do not hope on God, instead of hoping on our own overcoming our weaknesses.

 

[GodsGrace]

I do not politely try to live with it. Every time I sin it is another failure. I have just come to the conclusion that though God tell us to not sin, but in order to ever be close to that we need God to be with us and strengthen us. Or at least I need it. I know of the theologies that say if you sin again you lose your salvation. Believe me this is not a polite coexisting with sin. While in the moment of sin it might be enjoyed, but it is an emberrasment, and a failure. And with regard to losing salvation it is also an anxiety. According to that idea I might never be saved because I am too weak and sin holds me too well. In order to move on I have to hope on God and His strength, love, and mercy. Not my own strength or my own purity. Be merciful to recieve mercy. Be forgiving to recieve forgiveness. But fight your sins anyways. For our love for God and love for Jesus obey both.

If you think something is a sin and do it anyways then it is a sin. That is bibically so and is a legitimate issue. But it's not the same issue I'm talking about with regards to sinful thinking. Thinking on a lustful thought is a sin in your heart. Same with anger. The only way to see it otherwise is to either ignore what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, or by trying to change the meaning of what Jesus said, and have it mean something he did not say, or somehow say something that is not what He is quoted as saying.

Be very very careful around perspectives that try to tell you what Jesus is "really saying," or what the bible is "really saying." Those kinds of perspectives rarely take into account other verses to account for a deeper meaning that can be applied in multiple situtions, but instead they usually take one verse and do their best to twist it out of context. So it does not say what it plainly says.

Your beliefs might not be in being saved and held onto but those are my greatest hopes. There is no hope for me if we do not hope on God, instead of hoping on our own overcoming our weaknesses.

Hi NNS
I'm reading along and there is so much misunderstanding that sometimes I just want to throw up my arms.

We all sin. It's not sin that makes us lose our salvation UNLESS it's a purposeful returning to a LIFE OF SIN. God can forgive all and any sin. What makes us lose our salvation is willfully returning to the road that does NOT lead to God, but the road that leads to satan. Even Jesus said the road to God is narrow, the gate is narrow, because not all take that road. In fact, most do not.

When a person is on the road going TOWARD GOD, he is headed toward God. Sinning does not mean he's changed his direction -- it's only a failure, we just get up and keep on heading toward God.

The O.P. said something about unconfessed sin. We all have sin we've forgotten or may not even think IS sin... I think what he means is that we should be sorry for our sin when we confess it. You know, God cannot be mocked.

We just have to decide if we're headed toward God or headed toward the enemy.
It's our heading that counts. We're not getting to Florida on Route 80.
We just have to be on the right route.

 

[GodsGrace]

I know that you may think you are winning here, and I admit I am very compelled on the basis of studying the greek wording in matthew 15:19 to believe that thoughts are sin. Because it says right there that evil thoughts defile and this exact statement is repeated almost word for word in mark 7:21. However there is some confusion into accepting this theory, that means that satan can make us sin. Even before or besides possession of our soul. I call this the "oppression problem of Judas" I refer to one place in the bible in

John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

and we might assume, well he is possessed already and that would be normal for satan to do that in the case of possession. However only after eating the piece of bread Jesus gave Him did Satan possess Him.
John 13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

One may think well maybe Judas was possessed by another demon before satan cleaned house and came in. That is possible, but not likely seeing that I think the whole point of the issue was that Judas was protected by Jesus until a certain period of time, where Jesus gave him the bread, and said "do it quickly"

So then in conclusion what is your answer to the oppression problem of Judas where satan puts into Judas's heart that he should betray Jesus?

further more, what about desire, or doubt? Desire I think is lust that is unaccounted for. Remember how I said that one must not dwell too long on sinful thoughts? Because it will manifest. And one way is that these thoughts will manifest into lust then lust will manifest into desire. And This all criss crosses sort of, between if this is a thought and an action, but I would venture to say that doubts, are more than thoughts because they deal with emotion. And emotions are a physical aparatus of the body. lust is not as far as desire. Desire, is like lust on steroids. I think we can lust after someone, and yet not come to the point of sinful desire. I think that is the point that we should do neither, because they lead on into the other. But only one is sin. Desire is a sin, but lust is not. Those that are covetous, I believe are those who are passed on to the desire part.

James 1:14(NKJV)
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 4:7-8(NKJV)

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

I agree with you, but I don't understand why Mathew 15:15-20 creates a problem.
In Jesus time, it was sometimes said that the heart contains what is really from the soul.
Our thoughts are from the soul.
When they reach the spirit realm, then they become sin.
It is willful thought, as you've stated.
And, besides, if one believes a particular thought is sin, all he would have to do is ask forgiveness.
An emotion does not last long and is not a sin.
A PASSION lasts a long time and can be a sin. It's when a thought goes out of the soul realm and into the spirit realm that it becomes potential sin.

One can know when a thought has moved to the spirit realm. It most probably will cause a Christian sensitive to sin to feel tormented or bothered in some way. They must have an effect on your reason and your will.

 

[godsquadgeek]

There are lots of verses that talk about forfeiture of salvation. Hebrews 6:4 galatians, 1 corinthians, Romans 1.. but that really is for the other thread, so I won't be replying to salvation comments here, I posted the link in a previous post but if I remember later I will post again.

http://christianforums.net/Fellowsh...ven-god-gives-up-on-us-romans-1-26-2-1.72060/

 

[Free]

the context of matthew 15:19 is those things which come out of the heart. The food is not what defiles a man, but what comes out. Thoughts are part of the heart. The other thing I notice is that a study may be made that from evil thoughts spawn all the other defilements. I would not take the verse as saying that evil thoughts defile someone, as this is the only place is scripture where I see that distinction. however if it is made numerous places then it is sound to become doctrine.

That it says it in only one place is irrelevant as it is a clear teaching, which states that evil thoughts come from the heart and defile a person.

I know that you may think you are winning here, and I admit I am very compelled on the basis of studying the greek wording in matthew 15:19 to believe that thoughts are sin. Because it says right there that evil thoughts defile and this exact statement is repeated almost word for word in mark 7:21. However there is some confusion into accepting this theory, that means that satan can make us sin. Even before or besides possession of our soul. I call this the "oppression problem of Judas" I refer to one place in the bible in

John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

and we might assume, well he is possessed already and that would be normal for satan to do that in the case of possession. However only after eating the piece of bread Jesus gave Him did Satan possess Him.
John 13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

One may think well maybe Judas was possessed by another demon before satan cleaned house and came in. That is possible, but not likely seeing that I think the whole point of the issue was that Judas was protected by Jesus until a certain period of time, where Jesus gave him the bread, and said "do it quickly"

So then in conclusion what is your answer to the oppression problem of Judas where satan puts into Judas's heart that he should betray Jesus?

further more what about desire, doubt, coveting. I think these are sins but not necessarily thoughts. They seem to involve emotion and have therefore crossed over being intellectual assent.

James 1:14(NKJV)
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 4:7-8(NKJV)

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Please explain what you mean more succinctly. I do not see any problem either with Judas or how that would apply to Matt. 15:19.

 

[Free]

When they reach the spirit realm, then they become sin.

It's when a thought goes out of the soul realm and into the spirit realm that it becomes potential sin.

One can know when a thought has moved to the spirit realm.

Please provide biblical support of this "soul realm"/"spirit realm" divide and that when thoughts reach the spirit realm they become sin.

 

[godsquadgeek]

Please explain what you mean more succinctly. I do not see any problem either with Judas or how that would apply to Matt. 15:19.

Satan can put thoughts in our hearts as found in this verse:
John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

so if satan can put thoughts in our hearts, and thoughts can be sinful, then the negative thought that satan put in Judas mind was sin. So in essence satan made Judas sin without Judas being in control of his faculties to repent.

normally if thoughts were not sin, it would just be a temptation. But since you believe thoughts to be sin, now you are faced with this problem of this verse.

 

[GodsGrace]

Please provide biblical support of this "soul realm"/"spirit realm" divide and that when thoughts reach the spirit realm they become sin.

A lot of what Christianity is comes from theology.
For instance, the Trinity and the dichotomy or trichotomy of persons is not in the bible, but it can be extrapolated from its contents.

So do you believe we have a soul?
Do you believe we have a spirit?
Do you believe we have a body?

If the answers to the above are yes, then you believe in the trichotomy of person, which is what I believe-

Scripture. Let's see:
Hebrews 4:12 the word cuts and divides the soul and spirit and body
1 Thessalonians 5:23 spriit, soul, body
1 Corinthians 15:53 the body is mortal
Daniel 7:15 D was grieved in spirit
1 Samuel 16:7
Luke 16:15

Here is a scripture regarding lust:
James 1:14-15
When the lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin...

And regarding Mathew 5:27-28
"Jesus is not declaring that the amoral sex drive or curiosity is evil.
He is saying that when you decide in your heart that, if given the opportunity, you would respond to the physical and psychical drive outside the parameters of marriage, you have already [at that point and not before] committed adultery in your heart"

Source: Dynamics of Discipling
Arts Publicatons Ltd.
Chapter 3...Man

 

[GodsGrace]

Satan can put thoughts in our hearts as found in this verse:
John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

so if satan can put thoughts in our hearts, and thoughts can be sinful, then the negative thought that satan put in Judas mind was sin. So in essence satan made Judas sin without Judas being in control of his faculties to repent.

normally if thoughts were not sin, it would just be a temptation. But since you believe thoughts to be sin, now you are faced with this problem of this verse.

Satan put the thought in Judas' heart
and Judas ACTED upon the thought.

A thought by itself, without its moving to the heart, iis not sinful.

 

[Boaz308]

Satan put the thought in Judas' heart
and Judas ACTED upon the thought.

A thought by itself, without its moving to the heart, iis not sinful.

I believe this is the correct interpretation. Let me put it another way. Someone doesn't see an opportunity to steal something, take it and thus become a thief. They were first a thief in their heart and saw an opportunity to act upon it and did so. This I beleive is what the scripture is referring too. Guard your heart, renew your mind. If you dwell on sinful things they can work there way into your heart where you will eventually act upon them. The initial thought can't be sin, because Jesus was tempted in all ways like us, yet was without sin. It is the constant dwelling upon the thoughts that will eventually become sin.

 

[godsquadgeek]

Satan put the thought in Judas' heart
and Judas ACTED upon the thought.

A thought by itself, without its moving to the heart, iis not sinful.

but the verse actually states Judas put the thought in his heart. Bypassing the will entirely.

 

[godsquadgeek]

I believe this is the correct interpretation. Let me put it another way. Someone doesn't see an opportunity to steal something, take it and thus become a thief. They were first a thief in their heart and saw an opportunity to act upon it and did so. This I beleive is what the scripture is referring too. Guard your heart, renew your mind. If you dwell on sinful things they can work there way into your heart where you will eventually act upon them. The initial thought can't be sin, because Jesus was tempted in all ways like us, yet was without sin. It is the constant dwelling upon the thoughts that will eventually become sin.

then you would agree with my stance of the op that says thoughts are not sinful inherently, only when they are acted on by dwelling on them where they become lust filled, covetous, doubtful for example.

 

[Boaz308]

then you would agree with my stance of the op that says thoughts are not sinful inherently, only when they are acted on by dwelling on them where they become lust filled, covetous, doubtful for example.

That is correct, just having a thought is not a sin. Sometimes the enemy puts them there and sometimes we come up with them on our own, but either way just having a thought pop in the mind is not a sin.

 

[Adstar]

When I was going through a nervous breakdown, I thought that bad thoughts were sin, and I literally would shake in nervousness over having the right thoughts, and stopping the bad thoughts. I developed various twitches. But bad thoughts would constantly come into my mind. I heard my pastor this weekend say that bad thoughts are not sin, but that actions are sin. I looked it up online and found some sites that confirm it. Sometimes satan puts thoughts in your mind, that does not mean they are sin. It's when you entertain those thoughts, by dwelling on them to the point where they cause action (thats where it becomes sin). This makes much more sense to me. I can't believe I didn't know that for the last 23 years being saved. How much more liberty could have brought more joy and freedom in my life.

there are many verses on this page about the power of good thoughts, but nothing stating that bad thoughts are sin. One says that the evil man must repent of bad thoughts, but nothing really of the righteous man. But I could be wrong, and I welcome any arguments.

https://www.gotquestions.org/intrusive-thoughts.html

All responses welcome and verses welcome.

Jesus established that bad thoughts where sin in His beattitudes sermon on the mount..

Matthew 5: KJV
27 "¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: {28} But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

And

Matthew 5: KJV
21 "¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {22} But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

But with all sins they are forgiven through the Atonement of the LORD Jesus Christ..

 

[Boaz308]

Jesus established that bad thoughts where sin in His beattitudes sermon on the mount..

Matthew 5: KJV
27 "¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: {28} But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

And

Matthew 5: KJV
21 "¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {22} But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

But with all sins they are forgiven through the Atonement of the LORD Jesus Christ..

You need to read the verses that you quote a little more deeply. Whosoever looketh on a woman "to" lust after her.... It doesn't say if you've ever seen a woman and had a thought.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

You need to read the verses that you quote a little more deeply. Whosoever looketh on a woman "to" lust after her.... It doesn't say if you've ever seen a woman and had a thought.

In the context of practical matters, what's the difference? We live in a culture where our lusts are advertised and our hunger for them encouraged.

 

[Boaz308]

In the context of practical matters, what's the difference? We live in a culture where our lusts are advertised and our hunger for them encouraged.

The context is everything. One is a sin and one is not. I would consider that a significant difference.