Imagination, evil scheming

Human thinking, darkened by sin, expressed in plans which are in opposition to God and which seek to take advantage of others.

Human thought is darkened by sin

As a result of rejecting God's revelation

Romans 1:21 See also Psalm 10:2–4; 2 Corinthians 3:14; Ephesians 4:17–18; Titus 1:15

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

As a result of excessive alcohol

Proverbs 23:33

As a result of Satan's activity

2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1–3

Sinful human thinking finds expression in evil ways

In evil schemes and plans

Proverbs 6:16–18 See also Genesis 11:6; Psalm 36:4, Psalm 64:5–6; Proverbs 6:14, Proverbs 12:20, Proverbs 14:22, Proverbs 24:8–9; Ecclesiastes 8:11; Romans 1:30

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,

In scheming against God

2 Corinthians 10:5 See also Deuteronomy 31:21; Psalm 2:1–2; Hosea 7:15; Nahum 1:11

We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

In scheming against others

Lamentations 3:60–61 See also Deuteronomy 15:9 warnings against evil thinking as the year for cancelling debts approaches; Job 21:27; Psalm 10:2–3, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 38:12, Psalm 41:7–8, Psalm 140:1–2; Isaiah 32:7; Zechariah 8:16–17; Matthew 26:3–4 parallels Mark 14:1–2, Luke 22:1–2, John 11:53 Jewish religious leaders plot against Jesus Christ.

You have seen all their malice, all their plots against me. O LORD, You have heard their insults, all their plots against me —

Human plans are an expression of pride

James 4:13–16 See also Proverbs 18:11; Isaiah 10:7–11, Isaiah 30:1; Luke 12:16–20

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.

Evil plans will fail

Luke 1:51 See also Esther 9:25; Psalm 21:11–12, Psalm 33:10; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 19:3, Isaiah 66:18; Micah 2:1; Nahum 1:9

He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

False prophecy comes from evil thinking

Ezekiel 13:2–3 See also Deuteronomy 13:1–3; Jeremiah 23:16–17; Ezekiel 13:17

“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.