The egg came first or the hen. This is a funny question people ask. The creation account in the bible clearly states that the birds that include the hen were created on the fifth day. (Genesis 1:20) Some ask similar questions in the spiritual realm: A person is called a sinner, only when he sins. Or a person is a sinner, so s/he commits sin. There was an ancient proverb David quoted: Wickedness comes out of the wicked. (I Samuel 24:13)
All are sinners: the Bible teaches that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) There is no exception, all as descendants of Adam and Eve are sinners. All human beings irrespective of their nationality, gender, race, education, financial status, or language are sinners.
Source of sin: Inside a person is the gravitational attraction towards sin. (Mark 7:15) Temptation is always outside but is of no consequence unless a person responds to that with his heart. God does not tempt evil. (James 1:13) Heart is the factory that operates 24/7 producing evil thoughts and wicked imaginations. (Jeremiah 17:9)
Thought or action: Generally if a person steals, and is caught, he is a criminal. If the same person thinks, plans, and even attempts to steal, but fails, he is not a criminal as there is no evidence against him. So, existing laws cannot punish him. However, God examines or evaluates the heart. (Proverbs 212)
Thought sins: If a man looks at a woman with evil intentions, he has already committed adultery with her. (Matthew 5:28) Sin is committed in the mind before it happens in the material or physical world.
Ten Commandments: The commandments forbid adultery, lies, stealing, covetousness…etc. The implementation of the Ten Commandments is possible only when it is committed in the physical realm. However, God knows the violation of Commandments that happens in the mind, thoughts, and imagination.
Letter and Spirit: The letter of Law minimizes the requirement of law to the barest minimum, and the spirit of Law, maximizes the Commandment to embrace the intentions.
What are my thoughts?