Paul tells us that Satan corrupted Eve’s mind (through causing her to question God’s will), which is what led her to sin (2 Corinthians 11:3). It was also evil thoughts that led to the world’s destruction at the time of Noah:
‘And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.’ Genesis 6:5.
David faced many wicked people who sought his destruction. He saw the connection between such people and their thoughts:
‘The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.’ Psalm 10:4.
Solomon also indicated that thoughts and character are interlinked, when he said that ‘the thoughts of the righteous are right’ (Proverbs 12:5). Paul explained that the kind of thoughts we entertain can determine whether we invite life or death (or God or Satan) into our lives:
‘For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.’ Romans 8:5-6.
Jesus Christ himself taught that sin begins with a thought:
‘I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.’ Matthew 5:28.
‘For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man.’ Matthew 15:18-19.
It is therefore clear that evil thoughts lead to sin, or that if we don’t entertain evil thoughts, we won’t sin. Thankfully, the Bible is full of suggestions as to how we can improve and protect our mind. Firstly, we need to fix our thoughts on God, which Isaiah says brings peace (26:3). We also need to ask God to give us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and to renew our minds:
‘Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ Romans 12:2.
We need to actively and quickly close down thoughts that don’t agree with God’s Word:
‘Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Paul tells us to focus our mind on whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Philippians 4:8). Doing so naturally forces out evil thoughts.
Prayer is also important in keeping our mind (and body) holy, and is something Jesus Christ instructed us to do for that very reason:
‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Matthew 26:41.
Being thankful and grateful is another strategy to maintain a Christ-like mind:
‘In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
We also need to spend time with others who share our faith, as doing so gives us the opportunity to talk with others about what’s on our minds. They can help us to be accountable for our thoughts and the actions that follow:
‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7.
While all this is significantly helpful in the quest to overcome sin, we must remember that we only have power to do so through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, which we need to fully abide in if we are to truly eradicate the evil in our flesh:
‘He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ John 15:5.
We must never forget that it is through Jesus Christ that we have the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). Remember, overcoming sin and walking in God’s commandments brings us blessings and allows us to live life as Jesus Christ intended:
‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ John 10:10.
God promises that he will save Israel from all sin (Romans 11:26-27). Through abiding in the Holy Spirit and focusing our minds on God, Christian Israelites hope to gradually overcome the evil within us, and save not only our souls, but also our bodies from death and destruction:
‘And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ 1 John 2:17.
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