“Martin Luther once wrote that evil thoughts come like birds flying over our heads. We cannot help that. But if we allow them to build nests on our heads, then we are responsible for them. We will never be completely free of temptation; we should not even expect it. Even Jesus was tempted. At one time the idea of Jesus being tempted like an ordinary human being seemed blasphemous to me. Yet there is no question: he was, although he never sinned” (J. Henrich Arnold).

I believe the Bible speaks to that. It talks about taking every thought captive. I know it’s easier said than done, but part of the discipline of self-control (which is one of the fruits of the Spirit) is to not let your thoughts run away and control you. Sin happens when you let thoughts of temptation take hold instead of capturing them. Then you’re in trouble.

It does help to have something to fill your mind to combat those evil thoughts — listening praise music, sermons, biblical podcasts, faith-based novels . . . the list goes on. It’s not only about getting rid of bad thoughts but filling that space with good thoughts.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse” (Philippians 4:8, The Message).