Free from evil thoughts
This is the glorious privilege of every Christian, yea, though he is but a babe in Christ. But it is only of those who are strong in the Lord and have overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:14), or rather of those who have known him who is from the beginning (1 John 2:13), that it can be affirmed they are in such a sense perfect as, secondly, to be freed from evil thoughts and evil tempers. First, from evil or sinful thoughts. But here let it be observed that thoughts concerning evil are not always evil thoughts: that a thought concerning sin and a sinful thought are widely different. A man, for instance, may think of a murder which another has committed, and yet this is no evil or sinful thought. So our blessed Lord himself doubtless thought of, or understood, the things spoken by the devil, when he said: All this I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me (Matthew 4:9). Yet he had no evil or sinful thought, nor indeed was capable of having any. And even from this it follows that neither have real Christians. For everyone who is perfect is as his Master (Luke 6:40). Therefore, if he was free from evil or sinful thoughts, so are they likewise.
1771 text
21. This is the glorious privilege of every Christian, yea, tho’ he be but a babe in Christ. But it is only of those who are strong in the Lord, and have overcome the wicked one, or rather of those who have known him that is from the beginning, that it can be affirmed they are in such a sense perfect; as, secondly to be freed from evil thoughts, and evil tempers. First, from evil or sinful thoughts. But here let it be observed, that thoughts concerning evil, are not always evil thoughts: that a thought concerning sin, and a sinful thought, are widely different. A man, for instance may think of a murder which another has committed, and yet this is no evil or sinful thought. So our blessed Lord himself, doubtless thought of, or understood the things spoken by the devil, when he said, All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Yet had he no evil or sinful thought, nor indeed was capable of having any. And even hence it follows, that neither have real Christians. For every one that is perfect is as his Master. (Luke vi. 40.) Therefore, if he was free from evil or sinful thoughts, so are they likewise.