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I. WHAT IS MEANT BY IMAGINATIONS? Imaginations in respect to —

1. The being and character of God. Some have imagined that there is no God (Psalm 141.). Others have degraded His character by false representations of Him (Romans 1:23, 25). There is the Pantheist — his god is identical with the universe; the Deist — his God is in the heights of heaven, wholly uninterested in the concerns of men; the narrow-minded religionist — his God is implacable and arbitrary.

2. Our own merit and excellence. The Corinthian Church was full of this, and many modern professors have no other standard than themselves, and condemn all who differ from them, however excellent they may be.

3. The performance of the duties of religion.

(1)  Prayer. It is to God alone, we are to pray.

(2)  The sacraments.

(3)  The preaching of the gospel. A poetic style is all very well, but many "darken counsel by words without knowledge."

II. THESE IMAGINATIONS ARE PERFECTLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. "That exalteth," etc. They are incompatible —

1. With the whole tenor of the Scriptures; as regards —

(1)  The character of God. "God is a Spirit." "God is light." "God is love."

(2)  The character of man (Job 15:14; Psalm 8:4; Romans 3:10-13).

(3)  The various duties of religion.

(a)  Prayer must be offered to God from the heart, and in the name of Christ (Psalm 65:2; Hebrews 11:6; John 14:14).

(b)  The ordinances. Compare the commandments of Christ with the false teachings of men (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

(c)  Preaching (2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 9:27).

2. With true philosophy. All sciences point to God.

3. With the experiences of the wise and good in all ages of the world.

III. THE TENDENCY OF THE GOSPEL IN REGARD TO THESE IMAGINATIONS. The weapons by which they are to be demolished are —

1. The circulation of the Scriptures.

2. The preaching of the gospel in its purity.

3. The influences of the Spirit. Conclusion: We see —

(1)  The certain destiny of error. It must perish.

(2)  The future felicity of the world. Free from all error.

(3)  Our duty in the present. Oppose error, and serve truth.

(Congregational Pulpit.)

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KJV: 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;

WEB: throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;