Dear Rabbi Barclay:
I would submit to you that the Holy Scriptures provides a more effective, and final way, for us to overcome yetser hara in our midst.
Consider the paean of the Prophet Isaiah:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
In the original text, "mind" renders "yetser", a notion far more encompassing than our mere rational intellect. Our mind, our imagination, anything framed within us is at perfect peace when we lean on, or rest on the Lord.
This perfect peace is far more encompassing than most modern readers permit. The original text reads "Shalom Shalom", perfect peace, superlative, unassailable peace, as well as health and wealth, consummate desires devoutly wished by every human heart.
Consider also the wisdom of King Solomon:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)
Just as in Isaiah's song, the word for trust is "betach", which speaks to security, confidence, and boldness! Whereas to lean on one's own understanding, sadly, implies leaning on ourselves, and we are but dust, and "the imagination [yetser!] of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21)
Rather than leaning on our own merits and obedience, it would appear that YHWH intended for us to trust Him, and to trust in Him completely, not in our own merits, efforts, or good intentions.
How do you read this widespread implication?