Will God Punish us for our Dreams? The difference between Temptation and Sin.

 

Nobody will be held responsible for their dreams. It’s beyond human control. Besides, God did not intend the Sermon on the Mount for literal obedience. Jesus is using hyperboles to convict the Pharisees who were extending one side of the Law (Sabbath and Food laws) beyond its original scope. The Pharisees did it to make false evidence against ordinary people and throw them out of their synagogue. Therefore, Jesus extended the other side of the Law (related to murder and adultery) to question their logic. 

 

Jesus extended the Mosaic laws beyond their scope to show the Pharisees the mirror. The measure they use, would be measured back to them. If Jesus had intended the hyperboles to be obeyed fully, he would not have been angry with the Pharisees and called them “fools” publicly in Matthew 23. Jesus himself broke what he said in Matthew 5 about anger and murder by doing so. It shows that Jesus never intended these hyperboles to be used literally. Remember, in the same Sermon, Jesus says he came to fulfill the Law, not break it. We believe Jesus is sinless. If so, Jesus did not intend to obey the hyperboles literally or want others to do so.

 

Furthermore, if you are still confused, let me tell you that nobody pays for a Biriyani just because they see it or smell it unless they eat it. Similarly, we accuse nobody of murder for watching a murder in a movie. Therefore, God will not judge you if you happen to see another woman lustfully. However, if you get carried away and commit adultery (literally), God will certainly hold you accountable. Jesus forbids people from adding or subtracting anything from the Law. The Torah is complete. The Pharisees don't need to add anything to the Decalogue: do not murder, steal, commit adultery, give false testimony, or covet others' belongings. God will hold people accountable only if they break the Law literally.

 

The essence of the Torah is to Love God and Love others. If you love God, you will keep the God-side of the Decalogue, and if you love others, you will love your neighbor and not do the afore-mentioned sins against them. God created people in his image. God is love. Hence, in the image of love, he created them. God created the cosmos because he is love: love is creative. He created people to love each other and be productive. The purpose of humanity is to love one another. That is why God's command to humans is love. If you love God, you will not represent him with dead idols or take his name in vain. Instead, you will keep his day holy, worship him, and honor your parents, whom God used to give you life. Love is creative, and what your parents did for you is irreversible love.

 

After I shared this interpretation, a person said, “I agree with you. Still, the only thing I am unsure about is that I believe that sin starts in the heart and leads to actions. So actions are not only sin but also the evidence of preexisting sin.” I answered: "Of course, the heart is the root of all evil. God wants people’s hearts to be purified and writes his Law of love in their hearts. Even so, you are not liable for Temptation unless you sin literally. Otherwise, even Jesus won’t pass the test. I hope you understand the difference between Temptation and sin." He agreed.

 

Therefore, God will not punish you for the things that come into your mind while contemplating or dreaming. If he does so, it would be unfair. God would be condemning you for getting tempted, not for doing sin. The devil tempted Jesus, but Jesus did not sin. The devil told Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus refused. God does not hold Jesus accountable for getting that thought or hearing the devil. The devil told Jesus to bow before him. Again, Jesus refused. Nevertheless, God did not punish Jesus for getting that idea from the devil. Finally, the devil wanted Jesus to jump off a high mount. It seems like a suicidal thought. Even so, God did not hold Jesus accountable for that thought. Jesus refused to jump.