The problem is we have given authority to others who are claimed experts or have special spiritual knowledge. The vast majoriry rely on other's to tell them what means what. If we could accept you're premise we would be better for it but it lack direction and substance. You have to understand the Biblical meaning of evil has and always will be disobeying God. Now as to how we're suppose to know this, I have no idea as God does not speak to me. But the turth is in all cultures, if you don't beleive in a set way, you are subject to reprisal or worse.
Thinks you do put your idea in a negative manner with the desire spin, though I agree with what you say. I would say man is a social creature and we're motivated naturally and interact with others. We do have a selfish gene called survival that's always in play. If anything there is a comfort zone we operate in. Could we use comfort zone in place of desire. We are simply motivated to..... act
It is not actions that are the cause, but reactions.