Imagination – Part 2

We have discovered using our imagination is a good thing when used properly based on God’s Word.  It was given to us by God; the ability to dream the desires of our heart.  So we will look at how to use our imagination and how not to use it.   Today we’re going to learn how to train our thoughts with pictures in our imagination to line up with God’s Word, not with our flesh, and not with how the world thinks.

Scriptures:

Genesis 1: 26:  Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”^{NIV image: resemblance; representative figure; likeness: like mannered; similitude}

Romans 4:17:  As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.  ^{Berean Study}

Romans 4: 18-21:   18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21  being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ^NIV

Proverbs 23:7:  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.     ^NKJ

Job 3: 25:  For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.  ^NKJ

Philippians 4:8:  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,  whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.    KJ

James 4: 1-4:   ¹ What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? ² You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. ⁴ You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.    ^{Berean Study}

Philippians 2:12:  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  ^NKJ

Hebrews 10:14:   For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.  ^ESV

1 John 5: 1-5:  1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, 4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.  5 Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God       ^{Berean Study}

Psalm 37: 4:   Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.   ^{Berean Study  heart – labe – mind, will, emotions}

Romans 12:2:   Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.   ^NIV

 1 John 5: 9-12; 19:   9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.   19  We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. ^{NKJ    life  zoe– literally to live and breathe; vitality}

Acts 17: 28a:  For in him we live, and move, and have our being ^{KJ   live- comes out of zoe life, to live life}

Proverbs 4: 23:   Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  ^{NIV   heart – labe -mind, will, emotions}

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; ^KJ

Joel 2: 28:   “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.   ^NKJ

Proverbs 29: 18:   Where there is no vision, the people perish ^NKJ

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint   ^{Berean Study}

 

Prov. 15:26:   Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.  ^NAS