We Are Really Evil

We see and understand that the world is evil, Gal 1:4.  We even talk about how evil it is.  And we recognize evil men when we see them, Lk 6:45.  And we don’t like them.  Like Prov 29:27 says, an unjust man is abomination to the just.

But what we often fail to see is that evil is in us, that we are really evil.

Evil thoughts – Mk 7:21 evil thoughts are in our heart.  2 Cor 10:3-5 and these thoughts must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ.  We need to be thinking about the 6 things that are in Phil 4:8, instead.

Evil eye – Mk 7:22 an evil eye is also in our heart.  See Lk 11:34-36.  We need a single eye, instead.  The single eye sees what God wants us to see the way that God wants us to see it.

Evil concupiscence – Col 3:5.  Concupiscence is strong desire especially sexual desire.  When it’s evil it draws you away and entices you, Jas 1:14-16.  God gives us temperance as the fruit of the Spirit to keep us from giving in to evil concupiscence, Gal 5:23.

Evil deeds – Jn 3:19-21 evil deeds draw us into darkness and away from the light.  Stay in the light, 1 Jn 1:7.  The light reproves our evil deeds.

Evil speaking – Eph 4:31. Also called evil surmisings, 1 Tim 6:4.  A surmise is a thought or idea based on scanty evidence, conjecture.  To keep from running our mouths against others, the Lord instructs us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Conclusion: We are really evil at heart.  However, when we are saved we can keep this evil in us from leading us to evil thoughts, eyes, concupiscence, deeds and speaking.  W must simply trust and obey the remedies that God gives us.