Desire in its basic form is not sinful, as God Himself built this feature into us, wanting children like Him as the ultimate aim of His plan. However, under the influence of human nature and the selfishness of the flesh, desire often morphs into lust or inordinate craving. God addresses this in the tenth commandment, forbidding the coveting of a neighbor's house, spouse, servants, animals, or anything that belongs to another. This commandment focuses on the internal attitude of intense desire for forbidden things, rather than the act of taking them, highlighting that sin begins within the heart. Such internal wickedness sows the seeds of societal breakdown, undermining harmony among families, neighbors, and nations. Jesus echoes this in teaching that evil thoughts, including covetousness, come from within and defile a person. God's aim is to curtail these sinful attitudes that spawn damaging words and actions, identifying improper desire as the causal element behind breaking all commandments. To counter covetousness, two beatitudes offer guidance. First, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, replacing evil desires with a zeal for godly living, displacing inordinate cravings that lead astray. Second, the pure in heart will see God, emphasizing the need to cleanse and polish covetous hearts to reflect God's pure nature. In the sanctification process, God works with us to purify our hearts, preparing us to live eternally as He does. Sin starts inside, in the mind and heart with iniquitous desires, and that is where we must begin to change our natures into the image of Jesus Christ.

Sin must be completely eradicated or it will resurge and cause great pain. The surgeon's mission is to remove every cancer cell because any cell left will grow and divide again until it kills the patient. In the same way sin left in a person will multiply until it brings the second death. God instructs that leaven a type of sin and corruption must be removed from houses and nothing leavened may be eaten for seven days. Paul commands that the old leaven be purged out thoroughly so that a new lump may result. The Greek term ekkathairo means to clean out every bit of abomination filth and impurity leaving no trace. Total war must be waged against sin. In warfare against distant enemies terms of peace may be accepted yet the enemy is still placed under tribute. Against closer enemies every male is struck with the sword and nothing that breathes is allowed to remain alive. The closer the sin the harsher the measures required. Jesus Christ states that if the right eye or right hand causes sin it must be plucked out or cut off because it is better for one member to perish than for the whole body to be cast into hell. The root of sin lies in the heart where lust is committed. Habits and thinking must therefore be changed by a scorched-earth policy. Physical measures include avoiding situations conducive to sin and filling the void with wholesome pursuits that occupy mind and body. Spiritual measures include diligent prayer study of examples meditation and fasting to gain humility. Members that produce fornication uncleanness passion evil desire covetousness anger wrath malice blasphemy and lying must be put to death. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Only those who overcome inherit all things while the cowardly unbelieving abominable murderers sexually immoral sorcerers idolaters and liars receive the second death.