If anyone has sinned in the thoughts of his heart and immediately repents, he shall beat his breast and seek pardon from God and make satisfaction, that he may be whole.

- The Penitential of Finnian (Irish, 6th century)

"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment..."

- Matthew 5.22

Jesus understood what the Law of God teaches: sin begins in the heart. It starts as a mild irritation, a fleeting thought, an unintentional slip of some fundamental conviction. And it goes unchecked.

If we harbor sin in our hearts, the Lord will not hear our prayer (Ps. 66.18). If the Lord does not hear our prayers, then who will help us when push comes to shove and the opportunity for overt sin is staring us in the face?

Unchecked sin is like a cancer in the soul. Celtic Christians understood this, and they insisted that immediately when one becomes aware of the slightest deviation, repentance is in order, together with some outward practice designed to countermand the sinful thought, affection, or inclination.

Beating our breasts may seem a little archaic; what would you recommend? What outward action will you take to remind you physically that sin in the heart is as deadly as sin in words or deeds? Check sin as soon as you detect its presence, and chart a course of actions designed to move you along the path of rigtheousness. Do not be overcome evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12.21).

The struggle against sin is deadly serious. Don't wait until the waves of sinful thoughts or affections break over the dam of your inner person into some word or deed you're sure to regret. Check sin now.

Today in ReVision: Education Reform - Where to begin.

This Week's Download: Soul Friends - You'll need one or two of these as you pursue holiness in the fear of God.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.