If - Controller in Jmeter is throwing jmeter.functions.JavaScript: Error processing Javascript

I am calling a variable from bean shell, and then using the variable in if controller. My if condition is : ${__javaScript(${message_template_id} == request})} It is throwing the following error: jmeter.functions.JavaScript: Error processing Javascript: [request == request}] org.mozilla.javascript.EvaluatorException: syntax error (#1) Please let me know if there is any solution for this. Thanks, Divya