The Vanity of Thoughts

by Thomas Goodwin

Do you have a hard time focusing your mind on Christ and spiritual things? Do you struggle with sinful or wandering thoughts? Thomas Goodwin shows us the tendency of our minds to vain thoughts and encourages us with several remedies that will help to keep our minds stayed on the Lord.Thomas Goodwin (1600-1679): Possessing a tender conscience from the age of six, Goodwin’s parents strove to prepare him for the ministry by their own example and by providing for the best education they could. At twelve he entered Christ’s College, Cambridge, known as a “nest of Puritans” in those days. The God of all grace and mercy brought Goodwin to a profound conviction of sin and genuine conversion on October 2, 1620, shortly after his twentieth birthday. Following his conversion he aligned himself with the Puritan theological tradition of such preachers as William Perkins, Richard Sibbes, and John Preston. His preaching was earnest, practical, experimental, pastoral and above all, Christ-centered.Goodwin, an Independent, who was appointed to the Westminster Assembly, is said to have been “the most decisive figure and the great disturber of the Westminster Assembly,” due to his continual promotion of the Independent view of church government. Records of the assembly covering 243 sessions held from August 1643 to December 1644 indicate that Goodwin gave more addresses than any other divine—357 in all! During the early 1650s, he and John Owen shared a Sunday afternoon lecture for the students at Oxford, and both were chaplains to Oliver Cromwell. He was also assisted in drawing up the confession of faith for the Independents known as The Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order. During the period when many godly pastors were ejected from their pulpits because of strict demands of conformity, God’s mighty overruling providence permitted Goodwin to continue preaching throughout the years of persecution by Charles II. Most of his major theological writings were the fruit of his mature years and published after his death. Goodwin’s works, which are presently reprinted in a twelve-volume authoritative edition, were James Nichol’s first choice in what would become known as the well-edited and highly regarded Nichol’s Series of Standard Divines.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2010

About the author

Thomas Goodwin known as 'the Elder', was an English Puritan theologian and preacher, and an important leader of religious Independents. He served as chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and was imposed by Parliament as President of Magdalen College, Oxford in 1650. Christopher Hill places Goodwin in the ‘main stream of Puritan thought’.

Reviews

[Matthew Gasperoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vanity of Thoughts by Thomas Goodwin

A great short read on a subject that everyone can relate to: the wandering mind. Goodwin’s exploration is both convicting and thorough, yet he finishes with practical applications grounded in grace.

“When you first open your eyes each morning, there will be many thoughts vying for your attention, like so many clients or suitors at the door. But speak with God first…”

This brief book serves as a helpful reminder to guard our minds and prioritize communion with God, even amid the distractions of daily life.

[Abby Ekberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was so convicting and so encouraging to read. Exposed the nature of thoughts, why they need to be repented of, if indeed sinful, and how to go about raising our thoughts heavenward. 10/10 recommend.

[SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very insightful analysis on the nature of thoughts—the vain ones, the foolish ones, the sinful ones. The comforting appendix is exactly what the reader needs after going through such a painful soul-examining process.

My favorite passage occurs near the end where Goodwin is encouraging the reader not "to judge himself merely by the multitude and noise" of vain, evil and foolish thoughts that harass and distract us this side of heaven. Instead, the Christian must ask him or herself, are you hospitable to these thoughts, do you welcome and feed them, do you delight in them, or do you see them for what they are and seek to drive them away?

And then, this beautiful simile:

"... the heart of the regenerate man still follows God, returns to him, and keeps on his way. He is like a spaniel that follows his master on a journey and runs after every bird and every flock of sheep he sees. The spaniel may expend more energy and run over ten or twenty times more ground compared to the way his master goes. Yet for all this, he is still sure to have an eye to his master, returns to him again, and follows him to the journey's end" (75-76).

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional and convicting book! Small, concise, worth every minute spent on it.

[Alyosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Convicting.

Thoughts trouble individuals like Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar in the world, as described in Daniel 4:19. Similarly, Proverbs 4:16 states, "They cannot sleep unless they have done wrong." If their desires remain unsatisfied, they disturb their thoughts, just as unruly children disturb with their cries. Thus, what many consider to be free, namely thoughts, can become the greatest bondage and torment on earth. They hinder sleep, which nurtures our well-being, consuming the heart that birthed them, wearing down the spirits. Even when a person seeks comfort in bed, attempting to put thoughts and sad reflections aside, they continue to haunt and terrify. Thoughts cannot be discarded like a cloak. And when people die, these thoughts will follow them to hell and torment them even more there. Thoughts are among the greatest executioners in hell, the "worm that does not die."

[Colby Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

In typically Puritan fashion, Thomas Goodwin explores the depths of the Christian’s thought life. For though there are many heinous sins, it was for evil thoughts that God destroyed the world in the flood. Goodwin lays out not only the sinful tendencies of our mind but also the struggles that we have to think good thoughts. Why is that every time we want to pray we suddenly are distracted and forget the things we ought to pray for? And though some may object that sinful thoughts are minor compared to other sins, Goodwin reminds us that the sheer number of our thoughts make them just as heinous. What is our only remedy for vain thoughts? Our only hope is that “God has more thoughts of mercy than you have of rebellion…You began but as yesterday to think rebellious thoughts against Him, but His thoughts of mercy have been from everlasting and reach to everlasting.” Amen and Amen!

[Raul Apascaritei · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Deșertăciunea gândurilor” tratează cu seriozitate realitatea păcatului săvârșit cu gândul, un aspect adesea neglijat al vieții creștine. Lectura m-a făcut mai atent la viața lăuntrică și la nevoia de veghere constantă a minții înaintea lui Dumnezeu.

Deși scurtă, lectura este profundă și aplicativă, autorul punctând cu acuratețe gânduri și lupte cu care m-am confruntat în mod concret.

Parcursă în paralel cu “Idolii unei inimi” a lui Tim Keller, lectura a fost o potrivire excelentă.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting, practical and comforting.

[Connor Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY convicting, but also very helpful. (I read the "Puritan Treasures for Today" version that RHB put out recently, edited by Brian G. Hedges.)

[Morgana Mendonça dos Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro espetacular. Goodwin argumenta de forma sóbria e profunda sobre a necessidade dos nossos pensamentos serem levados cativos a Cristo, em genuína obediência. Deve ser lido e relido.

[Israel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro para leer en un día pero para pensarlo toda la vida...

[Hadleigh Gleeson]

Great, quick read. Convicting in regards to how significantly the thought life both reveals and influences the condition of the heart. Would recommend!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

[Hulda Gilca]

“The conclusion is: it is not what thoughts are in your hearts, or what passes through them, but it is what lodging you give to them that makes the difference, that proves your repentance. Many good thoughts and motions may pass as strangers through a bad man’s heart. And, likewise, multitudes of vain thoughts may make a thoroughfare of a believer’s heart, disturbing him in good duties, knocking on his heart to interrupt him. These may break in upon the heart of a good man, but they will not be allowed to stay there, they will not be fostered or harbored there.”

“Thoughts are to be repented of. Yea, repentance is expressed as to begin at the thoughts, “Let the unrighteous man [forsake] his thoughts” (Isa 55:7). And a man is never truly and thoroughly wrought on until his “every thought” is brought into “obedience” (2 Co 10:5).”

“Take the matter of reading, for many have leisure and ability to read much. They should ballast their heart with the Word of God; they should take in those precious Words, that precious wisdom, in order to profit themselves and others. They should be building up their own souls, but what do their curious fancies carry them to? What are they versed in? Why, they know playbooks; they know romances, all the curious needlework of idle brains; they load their heads with “apes and peacocks feathers,” instead of pearls and precious stones. As Solomon said, “The heart of him that has understanding seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness” (Pro 15:14). Foolish discourses please their eyes and ears; these are the purveyors of food for their thoughts—like chameleons are said to do, men live on air and wind”

”We are told in Proverbs 6:22, that when we think of God’s Word, it will talk with us. If you are careful of what you do be- cause of your constitution, etc., then be most careful what you think, because thoughts can either upset or feed your soul. God’s words “I did eat,” said Jeremiah, speaking of meditation on them (Jer 15:16).”


”Remedies against Vain Thoughts
Remedy 1. First you must get your heart furnished and enriched with a good stock of sanctified, heavenly knowledge in spiritual and God-given truths. A “good man” has a “good treasure” in his heart (Mat 12:35).

2. Endeavor to preserve and keep up lively, holy and spiritual affections in your heart. Do not let them cool. Do not fall from your first love, fear, or joy in God.

3. Get your heart possessed with deep, strong and powerful apprehensions and impressions of God’s holiness, majesty, omnipresence, and omniscience.

4. Especially determine to speak with God when you first awake, as David did, “When I awake, I am still with thee” (Psa 139:18). To prevent vain, windy, frothy thoughts from taking possession of your heart when you first awake, first fill your heart with thoughts of God.

5. Have a watchful eye. Guard your heart all day long.

6. Be careful not to please your fancy too much with vanities and curious sights.

7. Be diligent in your calling. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecc 9:10). Put to it all the intention and strength of your mind.

8. In your calling and in all your ways, commit your ways to God. “Commit thy works [ways] unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established [or, ordered]” (Pro 16:3).”

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I sat down to read this, it was like receiving a big, intense blast of rebuke + instruction + encouragement. Though sometimes it was hard to follow certain points, there's a lot to consider here on how to think about our thought life as Christians. Goodwin also covers topics about thoughts (e.g., curiosity, imagination) that I hadn't read/heard/seen much about and found helpful.

And God has given us power to form thoughts and use them in things that concern our own good, and that of our neighbors, and His glory. To not spend thoughts on these things is the greatest waste in the world.

…even if you suppose your thoughts to be the least and smallest of your sins, yet their multitude makes them more in number and heavier in weight than all other sins. For there is nothing smaller than a grain of sand, but when you heap up sand, nothing is heavier…But for all their multitude, do not be discouraged. For God has more thoughts of mercy than you have of rebellion.

And if you are careful about the companions you keep–those who lodge in your houses and share your rooms–then how much more should you be careful of your thoughts which lodge in your hearts, which is not your house but God’s built for Himself and for Christ and His Word to dwell in?

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic little pamphlet, sermon, thing. It would go over like a ton of bricks now on many points from his explanation of Dinah's sin to the task of ordering thoughts and seeing them both as the overflow of a rightly ordered heart and an oft neglected domain.
Mr Goodwin is hard and kind. I kept expecting the brimstone and only received encouragement and clarity. If anything it settled my mind, as some one who is likely to churn over things, this settling, this crossing of Christ over the tiny ambiguities I can't work out is a gift.
I expect to reread this soon and regularly.

[Jorge Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un sermón realmente confrontante pero al mismo tiempo esperanzador. Que Dios renueve nuestras mentes para un fin mayor que es conocer Su gloria.

[John Edgar Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirador e Instructivo

Es una obra muy útil para quienes luchamos por desarrollar ‘una higiene de los pensamientos’, puesto que nos orienta respecto a la responsabilidad de cada cristiano en el cultivo de su mente conforme a los principios generales de las Sagradas Escrituras.
¡Muy recomendado!

[My Little Happy Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

This was a short, wonderful read. I loved listening to this book, and it had many great points and reminders for me. I think it’s good for me to ponder on how all thoughts, even my positive/“good” thoughts, can still be vanity especially if it’s distracting me from what I should be thinking/doing in service/worship of God.

[blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since the things you think of have the most intimate fellowship and conversation with you, you should be most careful what they are.

The language was a little challenging for me but it was amazing insight into our thoughts and how they can take charge of our lives.

...only God can rule your thoughts. By them we chiefly sanctify Him in our hearts

[John Boyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being such a short book I probably shouldn't have thought that the content would have been much more deep than what it ended up being. Goodwin provides a brief and practical guide on the evils of vain thought and how to counter them by embracing biblical principles. This copy writes out Goodwin in easy to understand English that wasn't difficult to read through at all. I did enjoy the quick easy suggestions on how to feed your mind with thoughts of Christ and Scriptures to help counter act temptations to think on evil things. Great little book!

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much better read than other works I have read by Goodwin, this short book has really stuck with me. I have found it to be less practical in its approach but more insightful regarding the importance of recognizing the vanity of thoughts that exist.


Personal Reflection;
Vain thoughts are the Achilles' heel of the Christian walk. Like a Rubik’s Cube, they present endless possibilities, each turn seeming to bring progress, yet leading only to greater confusion. The further a man progresses, the more his pride convinces him that he is closer to the solution. But the more he tries, the more lost he becomes, leaving him worse off than where he began.

This is the beauty of God’s Word: when followed, it bridles the mind and sobers the delirium, providing a solution to our thoughts. Like a loving and firm father, God’s Word crouches down to the Christian, looks him in his eyes and shows him how to transform his thoughts and do away with the vain thoughts that cause him to be undone.

Helpful verse for readers;(Phillipians 4;8-9, Colossians 3:2-10, Isaiah 26:2, Romans 12:1-2)



Notable Highlights ;

"The vanity of the mind appears in curiosity, a longing and itching to be fed with, and to know, and then delighting to think of, things that do not at all concern us."

"And after the day of judgment, men's thoughts shall prove their greatest executioners. What are the cords God lashes you with to all eternity? Your own thoughts; thoughts accusing, whereby you study over every sin; and every one will be as a dagger."

"Observe it when you will, when you first open your eyes, there stand many suitors attending on you, to speak with your thoughts, even as clients at lawyers' doors—many vanities and businesses; but speak thou with God first. He will say something to thy heart that will settle it for all the day: and this do before the crowd of businesses come in upon thee. Of some heathens it is said, that they worship that as their god for all day which they first see in the morning; so it is with the idols of men's hearts."

"Have a watchful eye, and observe thy heart all day; though they crowd in, yet observe them, let them know that they pass not unseen."

"A few thoughts of faith would save us many thoughts of cares and fears in the businesses we go about, which prove, therefore, vain, because they forward not at all the business we intend. When such waves toss the heart and turmoil it, and the winds of passions are up, if a few thoughts of faith come into the heart, they calm all presently."

"To conclude, it is not what thoughts are in your hearts, and pass through them, as what lodging they have, that doth difference your repentance. Many good thoughts and motions may pass as strangers through a bad man's heart; and so, likewise, multitudes of vain thoughts may make a thoroughfare of a believer's heart, and disturb him in good duties by knockings and interruptions, and breakings in upon the heart of a good man; but still they lodge not there—are not fostered, harboured."

"Our thoughts are the first motioners of all the evil in us. For they make the motion, and also bring the heart and object together, are panders to our lusts, hold up the object till the heart hath played the adulterer with it, and committed folly: so in speculative uncleanness, and in other lusts, they hold up the images of those gods they create, which the heart falls down and worships; they present credit, riches, beauty, till the heart hath worshipped them, and this when the things themselves are absent."

"A heart sanctified, and in whose affections true grace is enkindled, out of all God's dealings with him, out of the things he sees and hears, out of all the objects that are put into the thoughts, he distilleth holy, and sweet, and useful meditations; and it naturally doth it, and ordinarily doth it, so far as it is sanctified."

"The vanity of the mind appears, in regard of good things, that if he doth think of them, yet he doth it unseasonably. It is with your thoughts as with your speeches—their goodness lies in their placing and order."

"We find our minds ready to spend thoughts about anything rather than what God at present calls unto. When we go to a sermon, we find we could then spend our thoughts more willingly about reading, or haply searching our hearts; unto which at another time, when called to it, we should be most unwilling. We could be content to run wild over the fields of meditations and miscellaneous thoughts, though about good, rather than to be tied to that task, and kept in one set path."

"It argues much hardness of heart; nothing being more opposite to the truth and practice of repentance, the foundation of which is to call to mind the sin with shame and sorrow, and to recall it with much more grief than ever there was pleasure in the committing of it; and whose property is to 'hate the appearance' of it, and to inflame the heart with zeal and revenge against it."

"If you be careful what companions you have, and whom you lodge in your houses, and who lie in your bosoms, then much more of your thoughts, which lodge in your hearts, which are not yours but God's houses, built for himself, and for Christ and his word to dwell in; seeing also the things you think of have the most near intimate fellowship and converse with you."

[Cameron O’Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book from Thomas Goodwin is filled with Scripture, illustrations, and practical application. The theme of “thoughts” is applicable for any audience, and the language is deep (without being dense) and light (without being shallow).

I think this is a book I will read yearly, for while it is short, is possesses a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

[Shaila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, is quite different than I expected it to be. Nevertheless not a bad read. I don't agree with things, like all my thoughts are bad? I hope I understood it wrong, but he keeps repeating it.

[Melissa Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep dive into the importance of thoughts and how they can be wasteful if not regulated and devoted to Christ.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I experienced massive conviction reading this. A treasure of a book

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good thoughts out of order are bad. Thomas Goodwin writes, “We find our minds ready to spend thoughts on anything rather than what God is presently calling us to… This disorder is a vanity and sin, though the matter of the thoughts themselves are good.”

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. - Proverbs 16:3

“God would not have such a mind darting here and there, but rather steadfastly directing all our thoughts straight to His glory, our salvation, and the good of others.
He gave the mind this nimbleness, that it might quickly turn from evil, even the first appearance of evil. We are to walk in the ways to which God calls us. Therefore, every thought, as well as every action, is a step, and these steps should be steady.”

“Having discovered the vanity of your thoughts and thus your condition, be humbled… When you are humbled, you have nothing to say and nothing to plead. You do not excuse your thoughts as being free or impossible to get rid of.”

“Above all you must keep thy heart and, in keeping your heart, your thoughts. For this is the great commandment because it extends itself as the foundation of all other commands. For just as the command against murder also forbids malicious thoughts, the same is true of the rest of the commandments. For just as original sin is said to be forbidden in all the commandments, so the obedience of your thoughts is implied in them all.”

So fill the heart and mind with good treasures. Store it up. Stir up affection for what is good and holy for thoughts will follow our affections.

One of the ways God has given to guard us against sin is our work. So we are to be diligent in our tasks and complete well what he has called us to in the fear of the Lord. Idle hands will give reign to idle thoughts.

[Nick Ouellette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23)

To the Christian who wants to take captive their thoughts, this is such a fruitful little read. Packed with Scripture that breaks down the question of, “What do we do with our thoughts that so often stray from God?”.

This will help point you to the truth of God’s Word as you equip yourself with tools to fight the battle of your mind.

”Thoughts are precious things, they are the immediate fruits and buds of an immortal nature. God has given us power to coin thoughts, lay them out in things that concern our own good, our own neighbor’s good, and His own glory. And if we do not spend them on these things, it is the greatest waste in the world.”

I leave this read feeling challenged to examine my heart before the Lord. Where do I lay my treasures? Is my driving desire of my life to glorify God and bring Him praise? If so, what needs to change in my life and personal discipleship to keep my thoughts focused on Him?

Note: It appears there is a version of this in Modern English if the original translation is too difficult to follow.

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s impressive considering the author lived in the 1600’s. However, I can’t say I agreed with the author on a lot of it. It isn’t completely fruitless though. There are some nuggets in it. My biggest disagreements revolves around the idea that Dinah was punished because she was interested in the life of the people in Shechem. Also that all of our thoughts are sin because they are all vanity. Even our good thoughts can be bad when they aren’t thought of at the most opportune time. But some of his points on how to maintain a good thought process was ok. At the end of the day, this seemed like I was reading a Pastors notes for a Sunday Sermon. No doubt I probably was. That being said I feel like there should have been something uplifting in it, but there was not. In fact I got much more of a “gee I am so lousy! I should just quit!” feeling from it. I should never feel that way about a sermon, regardless of it’s content and context.

[Hannah Wigdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short read but very good and relatable. Before one blames all our distracted thoughts and short attention spans on technology, they should read this book which was written in the 1600’s and very accurately described how distracted and flighty our minds are. It gave some helpful ways to imagine our thoughts (like visitors that turn up on our porch - do we let them in or turn them away?) and some insight into how our thoughts and affections are related and affect each other and how much our thoughts are bent towards sin naturally. It gave me a better framework for understanding what is going on in my head. (I read a version edited by Brian Hedges which made it much more easy to understand)