Genesis 6:5 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.

The imagination is not to be under-estimated. It is not people's friend, and all evil on this Earth is caused by its operation in people.

Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

A suggestion here, a suggestion there, and then man will waste no time running after it, following after their own hearts lusts. Most people can't even stop its flow of operation, even to the point that it makes their own lips move unconsciously, when thinking about something, not only that, it controls facial expressions unconsciously, giving away what people are thinking at any one time. Such a one is fully under its control, held captive by their heart's imaginings, which is why its operation in people needs to be subdued.

2 Corinthians 10:5 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; 

It's our own heart which exalts itself above the knowledge of God, and instead causes the blind mind within to follow after its own knowledge and wisdom, gleaned from this world of the flesh. You can especially see this amongst those proud of their own wisdom and knowledge, in those who love to talk a lot.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

So if the heart isn't possessed by the spirit, it will possess and be in full control of the spirit, and being in full control of the mind, means people do not know themselves, their own inner voice, those thoughts of the soul, and in turn the voice out of their mouth rules and further corrupts them.

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

This is a life long process containing many tribulations and challenges of the heart, that will do all in its power to maintain control of our minds, and in turn through the soul, the body.

1 Thessalonians 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

One by one these tribulations must be overcome, because these tribulations are the result of our own sins, because once our own hearts are overcome, will have overcome the world, and the love thereof.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Obviously, the word overcome suggests a struggle or a confrontation of some sort, and we cannot confront something unless we know what we're dealing with.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And since the thoughts and imaginations of our own hearts are unknown to the spirit, the word, the knowledge given from the Father, divides asunder the spirit from the soul so that we can begin to recognise that we're not our own heart's thoughts, imagination and intentions, but something completely separate.

James 1:4-8 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Prior to that diving asunder of the soul and spirit, we're doubled-minded, with our minds focused on the things of this world, on the contents of our own hearts, the things that belong to the 'Prince of this world' , walking in our own counsels.

John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

This 'Prince of the world' has something in all of us, controlling our every word, thought and belief. In short, we are its minions. Servants of the devil, the children of disobedience, at least until we do as Jesus said, and turn to the Father, seeking and asking for his righteousness. Which for some reason people just believe, that just believing in God and Jesus will suffice. It will not. Neither will our earthly good deeds, which are more about people pleasing themselves, and others in the flesh. Remember what is in a man, which rules over man, causing all to be dead in its trespasses and sins. Consider what you're really pleasing when it comes to helping yourselves and others in the flesh.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

The Gospel is about the spirit in a man, a spirit who hasn't had the mystery of the Gospel preached to them. That is the good work, using your spirit, and the knowledge of it, to tell others about it. Because without this knowledge being sown into the hearts of men, they'll always walk the course of this world.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Again, the word of God, which is his grace, his revelation of knowledge to the mind is the sword that pierces our own soul revealing its true nature, gradually.

Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Remembering that the 'Law and the Prophets' are a shadow of good things to come, but not the very image of, the below is a parable, a similitude for our overcoming our souls, which is that strange woman who seduces our mind.

Proverbs 5:3-5 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

That is about how our own hearts seduce our minds with its thoughts of the things of this world.

James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Without the word of god instilled in our hearts, all we have to bring out of it is bad treasure.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

And since it is the heart that produces that bad treasure for our minds to eat, it is the enemy within, that consumes the terror without, which is the world, a land full of idols. Terror not in human terms, but in the way that the knowledge of the world ruins our mind, our spirit, defiling it with the world's wisdom. The same wisdom on which we are judged by.

Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

The same wisdom that we love in the pride of our own hearts.

Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

The same pride that hides the knowledge of Heaven to the mind. All people in their day will need to be humble in spirit, and realise that attaining the gift of righteousness isn't something that can be developed alone. 

Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

As Jesus was made straight in the flesh with the spirit in him, so must we all be. And Jesus made it very clear that he could do nothing of himself, and so did his apostles who did exactly as he taught.

1 Corinthians 4:4-5 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.