Question:
I took a nap today and I felt like I was half awake but in a state of sleep. During this state, I think I said something that was very ugly. Not worth repeating. I would like to ask if it is possible to say something sinful in a state of sleep.
Answer:
It is possible to say inappropriate things while half asleep. But instead of getting upset about it, go to God in prayer once you are fully awake and apologize for your wayward thoughts.
David once decided that he was going to avoid sinning with his words. “I said, ‘I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.’ I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, and my sorrow grew worse” (Psalms 39:1-2). The point is that you can go to extremes, but extremes won’t help you. You might avoid all talking in order to avoid evil words, but that will cause you to avoid saying good things, and without good life becomes miserable.
James points out that we are going to make mistakes with our words. “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (James 3:2). It doesn’t excuse the mistakes, but they are going to happen. “From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (James 3:10). Thus, we work to improve and as we learn to control our mouths we find that we develop greater control over other aspects of our lives at the same time.
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (I John 1:8-10).