Humans collectively process countless thoughts daily, some virtuous and others evil and worthless. Jesus teaches that a person will turn in the direction their thoughts lead them. Being susceptible to false and evil thoughts, our minds can shift from one sinful thought to another in mere moments, often without our awareness. Our reactions in various situations reflect what truly occupies our minds. Jesus emphasizes that if we desire to live as He does, we must seize control of our thoughts. To manage evil thoughts, we must first maintain our health, as the body and mind are interconnected. Poor physical condition can lead our thoughts to wander negatively, focusing on ourselves and our pain. We must control these thoughts before they progress further. Second, we are advised to guard what enters our minds, inspecting every thought to ensure it is proper, beneficial, and positive, allowing only those that align with obedience to Christ to pass into our consciousness. By casting down perverse, evil, and destructive thoughts, we make a choice that demonstrates our commitment to God. Third, we should avoid negative-thinking individuals who can lead us down dangerous paths. If unavoidable, we must protect ourselves with a positive attitude, radiating Christ-like positivity to counteract their influence. Scripture urges us to focus on thoughts that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. There are no benefits to allowing wrong thoughts into our minds, as they only separate us from the positive power of God. By studying deeply into God's Word, meditating on it, and praying always, we can develop godly discernment and wisdom to succeed in controlling our thoughts.

Human thoughts can be manipulated and replaced, sometimes subconsciously, with either good or evil influences. We can be programmed or conditioned in ways that lead to sin, often through societal forces such as media, advertising, entertainment, and public institutions. Satan influences society to condition people toward sinful behavior, using these platforms to shape thoughts and desires against God's way of life. The human mind naturally tends to think and desire things characteristic of sinful nature, disregarding God's will. This hostility toward God, though inherent, is further encouraged by the conditioning received in a wicked society, making sinful actions second nature and hardening the heart to corruption. Evil thoughts are the root of many sins, determining actions or inaction. They arise from within the heart and mind, representing the core of human personality. The wicked, driven by deceit and scheming in their hearts, oppose God and His people, producing misery and death. In contrast, God's works bring goodness and life. The struggle against sin is universal, as every human experiences the pull of evil thoughts and desires, often failing to overcome them without divine help. Repentance involves changing one's mind with respect to sin, seeking renewal through the spirit to align with God's will.

Evil thoughts are a pervasive and internal struggle, deeply rooted in human nature. They manifest as inner attitudes that oppose God's intent, often leading to harm or disaster towards others. These thoughts are described as morally deficient, reflecting a tendency towards rebellion against God, akin to the active evil influence denoted by the Greek term *poneros*, which mirrors the nature of the wicked one, satan. Even after conversion, as exemplified by Paul in his writings, a law of evil remains present within, a carnality that enslaves one to sin, pulling against the mind's desire for righteousness. This internal battle reveals that human nature, though initially neutral at birth, inclines towards evil due to the flesh, fostering desires that lead astray. Jesus Christ Himself confronted this reality, teaching that humans, being prone to evil akin to *poneros*, stand in stark contrast to the goodness of God. He emphasized that evil originates from within, from the heart, defiling a person through thoughts and intentions. The human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, as God declares, deceiving even oneself about true motives and character. Only God truly knows the depths of this inner evil, a truth that calls for humble recognition, as seen in the parable of the publican who acknowledged his unworthiness before God. The fight against evil thoughts is a personal war, requiring focus on self rather than external evils of society or the influence of satan. Jesus Christ, in His own life, demonstrated an unyielding resistance to evil, facing temptations with spiritual strength derived from fasting, prayer, meditation, and knowledge of God's Word. He never treated evil lightly, actively combating it with every spiritual weapon at His disposal. Similarly, Peter urges believers to stamp out internal evil, to cease living in sin by accessing the mind of Christ, which enables one to resist and overcome the carnal nature. This internal struggle is where true Christian suffering lies, in the war against one's own evil inclinations, calling for a commitment to react with goodness, as Christ did, even when faced with reviling or persecution. The battle against evil thoughts is a daily challenge, a running fight to overthrow accumulated evil from before and after conversion. It demands a serious commitment to live the life of Jesus Christ, to lay aside every weight of sin, and to destroy the evil within, recognizing that even the most righteous are scarcely saved by God's grace. God sees the heart and knows its depravity, yet calls for a sincere effort to establish goodness, starting with the realization of the evil that resides within each person.