The Power of Imagination

1. Imagination: The Dynamo of Your Life

Imagination is the dynamo, the power source of life.

God-given ability. Imagination isn't just childish fantasy; it's a fundamental aspect of our being, built into us by God. It's the framework of our existence, influencing how we perceive life and our potential. Many underestimate its power, relegating it to the realm of make-believe, but it's the key to unlocking our ability to receive from God.

Imagination vs. Fantasy. It's important to distinguish between imagination and fantasy. Fantasy is an illusion, a delusion based on invalidating evidence. Imagination, on the other hand, is the ability to see with the mind what you cannot see with your eyes, a crucial tool for remembering, planning, and receiving from God.

Transformative power. Our imagination is like a spiritual womb, a creative center where we conceive ideas and visions. Just as a physical womb is essential for creating life, our imagination is essential for bringing God's plans and promises to fruition in our lives. By understanding and correctly using our imagination, we can unlock our full potential and experience God's best.

2. Vision: Seeing What Isn't, Achieving What Can Be

You can’t have vision without an imagination.

Vision is essential. Vision, a mental image produced by the imagination, is crucial for fulfilling God's plan for your life. Without a clear vision, you'll never reach your full potential, and circumstances will easily divert you from your path. Vision provides hope for the future, sustaining you through hardship and challenges.

Abraham's example. Abraham's journey exemplifies the power of vision. He left his home, not knowing where he was going, but with a vision of a better inheritance. God reinforced this vision by promising him descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth and the stars in the sky, constantly reminding him of His promise and fueling his imagination.

Vision as a roadmap. Vision acts as a roadmap for your life, guiding you toward your destination. Without it, any road will do, but not every road leads to where you want to be. By seeking the Lord and engaging your imagination, you can develop a clear vision for your life and avoid settling for less than God's best.

3. Imagination as a Spiritual Womb: Conceiving God's Promises

Your imagination is like your spiritual womb.

Conception precedes birth. Just as a woman cannot give birth without first conceiving in her womb, you cannot give birth to the plans and promises of God without first conceiving them in your imagination. This requires intimacy with the Word of God, planting the incorruptible seed of the Word in your heart.

Barrenness vs. Fruitfulness. Many believers pray for healing or prosperity but never receive it because they haven't become intimate with the Word. Their spiritual wombs are barren. To experience God's best, you must use your imagination to "see" the Word at work in your life, not waiting for physical manifestation but believing in advance.

Isaiah 26:3. Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." The Hebrew word translated "mind" here is the same word translated "imagination." Your imagination is the spiritual womb where you conceive.

4. Narrow-Mindedness: Focusing on God's Word

You can get so focused, so narrow-minded, on Scripture that you can’t see anything contrary to it.

Faith and imagination. Faith and imagination work together. By focusing intently on Scripture, you can become so narrow-minded that you can't see anything contrary to it. This is a positive thing, allowing you to stand firm on God's promises regardless of circumstances.

The power of the Word. The Word of God has the power to change what you see. Instead of letting circumstances or others' opinions dictate your reality, let the Word paint a picture of what is possible. This requires a conscious effort to renew your mind and align your imagination with God's truth.

Example of health. The author shares a personal experience of a doctor's negative diagnosis being overcome by his unwavering belief in God's Word. Despite the doctor's assessment, he stood on the promises of healing and divine health, ultimately experiencing a miraculous turnaround. This illustrates the power of a narrow-minded focus on Scripture.

5. Temptation: Overcoming Sin at Conception

Each of us also has a picture of our life, but in many cases, it is a negative picture.

Imagination and temptation. You cannot be tempted by something you don't think about. The best way to overcome sin and temptation is to not be tempted in the first place. This is possible by becoming so focused on the things of God that all you think about is the Word and all you picture is His will.

Abraham's example. Abraham and Sarah were able to resist the temptation to return to their old life because they kept their minds focused on God's promises. They weren't thinking of all they had left behind, so they weren't even tempted to go back. This illustrates the power of a focused imagination in avoiding temptation.

Controlling your thoughts. It is possible to become so focused on the things of God that all you think about is the Word and all you picture is His will. Just like Abraham, you can get so focused on God’s direction that you become immune to temptation.

6. Hope: Faith's Essential Partner

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hope defined. Hope, in the New Testament, is the counterpart to imagination. It's the ability to see what can't be seen, a positive imagination that gives faith something to work with. It's not just wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God's promises.

Hope activates faith. Faith gives substance to what we hope for; it births the things we see in our imaginations. If we don't conceive something in hope, faith cannot birth it. Hope is the thermostat that activates the power unit of faith.

The power of testimonies. Testimonies of others who have experienced victory over similar challenges can ignite hope and give faith something to grab hold of. By surrounding yourself with stories of God's faithfulness, you can cultivate a positive imagination and activate your faith.

7. Perspective: Choosing Triumph Over Trouble

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Perspective matters. It's not what happens to you that dictates your emotions; it's how you perceive what happens that affects you. By keeping your imagination fixed on God, you can maintain peace even in the midst of trouble. This requires a conscious choice to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal.

The inward man. No matter what is happening outside, your inward man can be renewed daily if you learn to control your thoughts. This involves casting down imaginations and bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. It's a battle for your mind, but it's a battle you can win.

Eternal focus. By focusing on the eternal, you can gain a proper perspective on your current struggles. What seems overwhelming in the moment pales in comparison to the glory that awaits you in eternity. This perspective allows you to triumph over trouble and live a life of peace and joy.

8. Active Faith: Exercising Your Spiritual Muscles

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Faith requires action. Faith without works is dead. It's not enough to simply believe that God's promises are true; you must act on that belief. This involves speaking the Word, resisting the devil, and taking steps of obedience, even when it's difficult.

Exercising your faith. Just like a muscle needs exercise to grow stronger, your faith needs to be exercised. This involves stepping out in faith, taking risks, and trusting God to come through. The more you exercise your faith, the stronger it will become.

The power within. You have the same power inside you that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. This power is not out there somewhere; it's within you. By recognizing what you have and learning how to release it by faith, you can experience the miraculous in your life.

9. Remembrance: Keeping God's Goodness in View

O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.

The power of memory. Remembering God's goodness is essential for maintaining faith. It engages your imagination and reminds you of His faithfulness in the past. This, in turn, strengthens your hope for the future.

Combating forgetfulness. It is human tendency to forget. If you don't purposefully keep your imaginations stayed on the goodness of God, you will forget what He has done in your lives, and your faith will suffer.

Thankfulness and imagination. When you aren't thankful, when you don't remember what God has done or glorify Him as God, you become vain in your imaginations. Your heart is hardened, and it becomes difficult to hear God's voice or see His work in your lives.

10. Spiritual Warfare: Winning the Battle in Your Mind

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.

The battlefield is the mind. Spiritual warfare is not primarily a cosmic battle against demons; it's a battle for your faith, and it's waged right between your ears. The enemy seeks to influence your imagination with negative thoughts and lies, but you have the power to resist.

Taking thoughts captive. The weapons of your warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. This involves casting down imaginations and bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. It's a conscious effort to control your thoughts and align them with God's Word.

Cooperating with God. If you're struggling with fear and oppression, stop cooperating with the devil! Renew your mind. Use your imagination to see who you truly are in Christ. Keep your mind stayed upon the Lord. I guarantee you, Satan will flee.

Last updated: February 8, 2025