The other day a discussion arose as to why Nicodemus visited Jesus at night. One said because he did not want to be seen and another replied that he wanted to wait until Jesus, who was surrounded by the multitudes, was less busy. Our old nature wants to put a negative spin on things but we are commanded think no evil. To think evil is to produce or form in your mind. It is to conceive or examine mentally, to believe, consider, anticipate, invent or imagine evil. Evil is morally bad or wicked. It causes injury, damage, or any other undesirable result.
Jesus, who did not have evil thoughts, responded to others as our example for good in thinking no evil. During the storm at sea he was confronted by the disciples, "Carest thou not that we perish?” He responded, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" When, after the village of Samaritans did not receive him, the disciples asked if they should command fire to come down and consume them. Jesus replied that he did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. And when they passed the blind man they questioned Jesus "who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered "neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but for the works of God should be made manifest in him." Also while Jesus healed the man sick with palsy telling him to be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee the Scribes reasoned in their hearts, "Why doth this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asked, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? This was done that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” As Martha, laboring and questioning Mary's motive for sitting at the feet of Jesus, complained to Him. Jesus responded to Martha, “One thing is needful and Mary has chosen that good part.”
Let us strive to think no evil. Let us encourage others like Paul did when he wrote to Philemon, and besought him for Onesimus who, before that time was unprofitable but was now profitable and who perhaps had departed for a season that he may be saved. Or the prodigal son's father, who besought his eldest son to join him in being thankful for his brother who was once dead is now alive, who was lost and now found. Or as Job, who when confronted by his disastrous circumstances refrained from thinking evil, he fell down upon the ground and worshipped the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away blessed be the name of the Lord.
Let us discipline our minds to think good and not imagine evil. Let the words of our mouth and meditation of our hearts be acceptable. And remember that the true source of our strength, success, and our ability to think no evil comes from the Lord.
