THE POWER OF A GODLY IMAGINATION - INTRODUCTION

BASICS OF IMAGINATION
•    According to the American Heritage Electronic Dictionary, the word imagination means “the process or power of forming a mental image of something not real or present.” 
•    Many people confuse imagination with vision. But vision is “a mental image produced by the imagination” (HMAHED). 
 You can’t have vision without an imagination.
•    They’ve been taught that using their imagination or believing in something they cannot see is fantasy. 
•    Fantasy isn’t real. It isn’t based on validating evidence. But imagination is real.
Imagination Is The Ability To See With The Mind What You Cannot See With The Eyes. 
•    If I were to ask you how many windows were in your childhood home, I bet you’d know, even though you probably never counted them. 
•    Thanks to your imagination, your mind’s eye can recreate your childhood home and walk you through it room by room.
•    Whether you realize it or not, you use your imagination every day. You use it to remember where you parked your car or to give someone directions. 
•    In Genesis 11:6, you can see the capabilities man has with his imagination outside of God: "...and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."
•    Just think of what is available to the person, born of the Spirit of God, who would allow the Holy Spirit to form his imaginations. The possibilities are limitless! This is where creative ability begins for the believer.
•    You are capable of getting an inner picture of the word of God working on your behalf. See yourself living in the fulfillment of the promises of God.
•    In your time of meditation, set aside a time to use the creative ability God has given you. Imagine yourself doing what the Word says. 
•    See Jesus healing the sick through you. See yourself laying hands on the sick, and the sick recovering.
•    Imagine yourself living within the abundance of God, having all sufficiency and able to give unto every good work. See yourself healed in your physical body.
•    Of course, the Bible says to cast 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" (2 Cor. 10:5). 

YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IMAGINATION.
•    Luke 6:45 (NLT) 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
•    If you fill your imagination with the garbage of this world, that’s what it will produce. But if you renew your mind to the truth of the Word, your imagination will help you receive from God (Rom. 12:2).
•    Romans 12:2 (NLT) 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know don’t  will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
•    There lies within every person the ability to imagine. The human imagination is a powerful force. The inbred creativity of God flows from your spirit into your imagination.

YOU'RE ONLY AS BIG AS YOUR IMAGINATION.
1)    Pictures and images are formed in our spirits from what we continually hear and see. 
2)    As a result, it is of the utmost importance that we use the Word of God to paint the correct pictures in our hearts and minds. 
3)    This is the primary reason for the instructions in Proverbs 4:20-21: “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.”
4)    Solomon mentioned three things in this scripture that show us how to attend to the Word. 
a.    First he said, “Incline your ear to my sayings.” 
i.    Remember, what we hear will affect the way we see things. If we listen to traditional religious teaching that says, “Sometimes God heals, but He doesn’t always heal everyone,” it will affect how we view God’s Word on healing. 
ii.    But when we continually hear, “Jesus healed them all,” we can rest assured that healing belongs to us. 
b.    The second thing Solomon said was, “Do not let them (God’s Words) depart from your eyes.” 
i.    This does not mean reading our Bibles twenty-four hours a day. 
ii.    That would be impossible and very impractical. What it does mean is meditating on the promise of God until we believe that all of it belongs to us!
iii.    If we never imagine ourselves living in health and prosperity, we will never have faith to receive it. 
iv.    If we don’t see ourselves righteous in His sight, we will not be confident in His presence — free from guilt and inferiority. 
v.    If we cannot see ourselves as an able minister of the New Covenant, we will not minister the Good News of Jesus to others.
vi.    But if we can see it, we can have it! If we can see health in our bodies, we can have it. 
vii.    If we can imagine prosperity in our lives, we can have it. Whatever we can truly imagine on the inside can become a reality on the outside. 
viii.    If we cannot see it on the inside, we are hindered from ever experiencing it on the outside.
ix.    If you can see it, it is yours! Let the eyes of your spirit imagine the Word of God working in your life. 
x.    According to Deuteronomy 28:13, God wants you above and not beneath, as the head and not the tail. Let the Word perfect that image in your heart.

Rethinking the Power of a Godly Imagination. 
2)    There are over 400 scriptures referring to imaginations, dreams and visions, yet it remains so sadly neglected by the modern church.
3)    We possess both physical eyes to see into the natural world as well spiritual eyes which can enable us to see into the future and spirit realm.
4)     In fact I believe that our imagination is the language of the heart or spirit realm. Not "phantasma" …the Mickey Mouse stuff, but the "yetser" (Hebrew) or "dianoia" (Greek) – the part of the mind that thinks in images and pictures.
5)    First Peter 1:13 tells us; “Gird up the loins of your mind….” If the loins are the reproductive part of the body; what are the loins of the mind (the reproductive part of our minds)? It’s the Greek word "dianoia" or imagination. 
6)    In other words, what you focus (meditate) powerful determines what will develop in your life.
7)    The Bible speaks a lot about this type of thing. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." In his heart, not his head or brain.
8)    So how do you think with the heart? When we were saved it was a process of believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth. The language of the heart is not words, it's pictures and images.
9)    When God speaks it's often through dreams and visions - pictures! If I say the word "dog," what image does that convey? 
10)    But if I am more specific and describe a dog named Molly, a tan boxer, immediately you see that picture of my dog. 
11)    We also see this in Numbers 13:33 when the spies returned from the Promised Land. 
12)    After seeing the giants the spies said, "and we were as grasshoppers in our own sight and so we were in their sight." 
13)    Well obviously that was not a physical thing, it was the way they saw themselves inside - in their hearts!

WHOEVER CONTROLS YOUR IMAGINATION CONTROLS YOU.
14)    That’s why it is so vitally important to meditate upon the Word of God and the promises of God every day. 
15)    How vitally important must it be that the Lord told Joshua and David to do this if they wanted to prosper and succeed. Paul talks about it also in the New Testament.

IMAGINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE.
1)    To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints; Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. —Rom. 1:7 KJV
2)    A number of years ago, a popular advertisement showed a boy gazing into the future. In the background a planet was whirling and a rocket was bursting into outer space. 
3)    The heading for the ad said, "You're as big as you think!"
4)    The caption then went on to read: "Only a boy, but his thoughts are far in the future. Thinking, dreaming, his mind sees more than his eyes do.
5)     So with all boys...vision, looking beyond the common place, finds new things to do. And growth, as it always must, follows where mind marks the way."
6)    What do you dream about? What has God enabled you to see that does not yet exist?
7)    God created you with an imagination. He gave you the ability to dream, to have faith for things which do not yet exist, and to attain high goals.
8)    In fact, it is part of your being made in God's image, for God has an imagination of His own. He has daydreams. Some of what He has dreamed turned out to be you.
9)    If God were rewriting this old ad, He would likely picture you with the heading, "You're only as big as your imagination!"

CASTING DOWN REASONINGS
1)    Casting down imaginations [reasonings], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)
2)    Many people's minds have never been renewed with the Word of God. They may be saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and members of a Full Gospel church, but their minds still need to be renewed with the Word of God.
3)    Second Corinthians 10:4 and 5 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 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."
4)    Many people are in a battle between their head and their heart. This is spiritual warfare, and these verses say that our weapons are not carnal, or natural. 
5)    They're not guns, swords, or even fists. But our weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).
6)    Paul is referring to "casting down imaginations." Imaginations can also be translated reasonings, which involve people's minds.
7)    As long as Satan can hold you in the arena of reason, he'll defeat you in every battle. But if you hold Satan in the arena of faith, you'll defeat him in every battle. How do you do that? 
8)    The Scripture says to "cast down imaginations (reasonings)."
9)    I cast down imaginations and reasonings. I bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. If the thought doesn't line up with the Word of God, I reject it. I believe and think on only what God's Word says.

Let’s do the following:
o    Understand The Person With Imagination Is Never Alone And Never Finished
o    Put Your Imagination To Work
o    Explore With Your Imagination
o    Let Your Imagination Soar

1.    Personal Reflection:
Encouraging Believers to use their imagination when teaching on Bible stories, envisioning themselves in the scenes, and considering how they might feel or react in those situations.
2.    Children's Education:
Using imaginative storytelling and activities to teach children about Bible stories in a way that captures their interest and helps them understand and remember the lessons.
3.    Prayer:
Some spiritual practices involve imaginative prayer or meditation where one visualizes biblical scenes and interacts with them as a way of deepening their spiritual experience and connection with the text.

The concept of "The Power of Godly Imagination" focuses on how imagination, when guided by faith and biblical principles, can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth, problem-solving, and creative expression. Here are some key aspects:
1. Faith and Vision
Godly imagination allows believers to envision the fulfillment of God’s promises and the potential for transformation in their lives, church and communities. It involves seeing beyond current circumstances to what God can and wants to do.
2. Spiritual Expression
o    Using imagination to create music, teaching literature, and other forms of expression that glorify God and communicate biblical truths. 
o    This can inspire and uplift others, spreading the message of faith in unique and impactful ways.
3. Problem-Solving and Innovation
o    Believers can use godly imagination to find innovative solutions to challenges, both personal and everyday living. 
o    By seeking divine guidance and thinking creatively, they can address issues in ways that align with their faith.
4. Spiritual Disciplines
o    Imagination can enhance spiritual practices such as prayer and spiritual meditation. 
o    Visualizing biblical scenes, imagining conversations with Jesus, or contemplating heavenly realities can deepen one’s spiritual experience and connection with God.
5. Scriptural Meditation
o    Engaging the imagination when reading and reflecting on Scripture can bring new insights and understanding. 
o    Visualizing the scenes, emotions, and actions in Bible stories can make them more vivid and relatable, leading to a deeper appreciation of the lessons they convey.
6. Transformative Power
o    Godly imagination can lead to personal transformation by inspiring believers to see themselves and others as God sees them. This can foster growth in faith, character, and purpose.

Biblical Basis for Godly Imagination
o    Genesis 1:27: We are made in the image of God, who is the ultimate Creator. Our capacity for imagination reflects His creative nature.
o    Ephesians 3:20: God can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
o    Philippians 4:8: Encourages believers to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, which includes the use of positive imagination.

Practical Steps to Activate Godly Imagination
o    Prayer and Meditation: Regularly spend time in prayer and meditation, asking God to guide your thoughts and imagination.
o    Meditate Scripture: Read the Bible with an imaginative approach, visualizing the stories and placing yourself in the scenes.
o    Seek Inspiration: Surround yourself with inspiring, faith-based content and spend time with others who encourage and uplift you in your spiritual journey.
o    Reflect and Apply: Reflect on the insights and ideas that come to you through your imagination and seek ways to apply them in your life and ministry.

20 Bible scriptures on imagination
Here are 20 Bible scriptures that touch on the theme of imagination, creativity, and the power of thoughts:
Old Testament
1.    Genesis 6:5 "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.("Noah’s time…the Ark)
2.    Genesis 11:6 "The Lord said, 'If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they imagine to do will be impossible for them.'"
3.    Exodus 35:31-32 "And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze."
4.    1 Chronicles 28:9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought."
5.    Job 33:14-15 "For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds."
6.    Psalm 19:14 "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
7.    Psalm 94:11 "The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile."
8.    Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
9.    Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
10.    Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

New Testament
11.    Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
12.    Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
13.    Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
14.    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."
15.    1 Corinthians 2:9 "However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'—the things God has prepared for those who love him."
16.    2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
17.    Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
18.    Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
19.    Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
20.    Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
These verses highlight various aspects of imagination, from the importance of guarding our thoughts to the creative power of envisioning God's plans and purposes.

In the Bible, the concept of imagination is not always explicitly defined with a single term, but it is addressed in various contexts and through different words and ideas. Here are some key biblical perspectives on imagination:
Old Testament Context
1.    Hebrew Words for Imagination:
o    Yetzer (יצר): Often translated as "imagination" or "inclination," this word appears in contexts like Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 8:21, where it refers to the intentions and thoughts of the human heart, often in a negative sense when describing human wickedness.
o    Machashabah (מַחֲשָׁבָה): Translated as "thoughts" or "plans," this term appears in verses like Jeremiah 29:11, referring to God's plans and thoughts for humanity, which are positive and full of hope.

New Testament Context
2.    Greek Words for Imagination:
o    Dianoia (διάνοια): Often translated as "mind" or "understanding," this term appears in contexts like Matthew 22:37, emphasizing loving God with all one’s mind, which includes thoughts and imagination.
o    Logismos (λογισμός): Translated as "reasonings" or "thoughts," this term appears in 2 Corinthians 10:5, where believers are encouraged to take every thought captive to obey Christ.

1.    Positive Use of Imagination:
o    Creative Power: Godly imagination is seen as a reflection of God's creativity. Humans, created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), possess the ability to envision, create, and innovate.
o    Faith and Vision: Imagination plays a role in faith, as believers are called to visualize God's promises and trust in things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1).

2.    Negative Use of Imagination:
o    Evil Intentions: The Bible often warns against the misuse of imagination, where it leads to evil thoughts and plans. Genesis 6:5 and Jeremiah 17:9 highlight the potential for human imagination to be corrupted and lead to sinful actions.
o    Vain Imaginations: Romans 1:21 speaks of those whose thinking becomes futile and whose foolish hearts are darkened because they do not honor God.

Scriptural Encouragement
1.    Renewing the Mind: Romans 12:2 encourages believers to transform by renewing their minds, implying that imagination should be aligned with God’s will and purposes.
2.    Pure and Noble Thoughts: Philippians 4:8 advises believers to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, guiding the imagination towards positive and godly reflections.

Practical Applications
1.    Meditation and Prayer:
Using imagination in meditation and prayer to deepen one’s relationship with God, envisioning biblical scenes, and contemplating God’s attributes.
In closing, the Bible acknowledges the power of imagination and provides how it can be used for positive and negative, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s thoughts and imaginings with God’s will and purposes.
The phrase "casting down imaginations" is found in the New Testament, specifically in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Here's the verse in context:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV)
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 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."

Interpretation and Meaning
1.    Context of Spiritual Warfare:
Paul is addressing the nature of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that the struggle believers face is not against flesh and blood but involves spiritual battles that require divine power.
2.    Casting Down Imaginations:
The term "imaginations" here refers to human reasoning, arguments, and speculations that are contrary to the knowledge of God. These are the thoughts and ideologies that exalt themselves against God's truth.
3.    Pulling Down Strongholds:
This suggests the demolition of mental and spiritual fortresses that hold people captive. These strongholds can be false beliefs, pride, or any mindset that opposes God's word.
4.    Bringing Every Thought into Captivity:
This phrase indicates that believers should take control of their thoughts, aligning them with the teachings of Christ. It underscores the importance of mental discipline and submission to God's truth.

Application for Believers
1.    Renewing the Mind: Believers are encouraged to renew their minds continually through God's word (Romans 12:2), ensuring that their thoughts are in harmony with biblical teachings.
2.    Discernment and Vigilance: Being aware of the sources of their thoughts and ideas, discerning whether they are from God, themselves, or the enemy. This involves being vigilant against false teachings and deceptive philosophies.
3.    Spiritual Discipline: Practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen their minds against ungodly influences.
4.    Faith and Obedience: Trusting in God's power to overcome mental and spiritual challenges and committing to obedience in thought and action.

​Related Scriptures
•    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."
•    Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
•    Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
In summary, "casting down imaginations" is about actively rejecting thoughts and beliefs that oppose God's truth and ensuring that every thought aligns with the teachings and obedience of Christ. This involves a disciplined and vigilant approach to one's mental and spiritual life.

Dr. Roy Coleman, Lead Pastor
Victory Christian Center