The Vanity of Thoughts

How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
—Jeremiah 4:14

The heart is like a boardinghouse where we welcome and entertain many ideas like guests. In The Vanity of Thoughts, Thomas Goodwin helps us consider our native tendency to harbor frivolous and sinful mental companions. And having identified the severity of our condition, Goodwin encourages us to humbly and mindfully perform some much-needed housekeeping. He also provides remedies against these unprofitable inhabitants. We live in an age of information and a culture of entertainment. Here is a timely reminder about the vital importance of our thought life with a call to bring every thought captive to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Endorsement

“Thomas Goodwin thinks that you should think about your thinking. In a world that not merely allows but actively promotes and fuels vain thinking, Goodwin’s sweet and punchy little treatment of our mental-moral processes is a gem. He helps us not only identify foolish and frothy notions and imaginations but shows us how to stave them off while also filling our minds with the best things. Plainly and practically, Goodwin reminds us that Christianity is a genuinely thoughtful and truly holy religion.”
—Jeremy Walker, pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, England

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. The Nature of Thoughts
2. The Meaning of Vanity
3. Reluctance toward Good Thoughts
4. Evil Thoughts
5. Sinful Imaginations
6. Practical Uses
7. Remedies against Vain Thoughts

Appendix: How Thoughts Reveal Our Hearts