In the context of biblical literature, "fancies" can be understood as imaginations, whims, or thoughts that are often fleeting and not grounded in reality or truth. The Bible addresses the concept of human imagination and the potential for it to lead individuals away from God's truth and righteousness.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently warns against the dangers of following one's own heart and imagination when it is not aligned with God's will. In Genesis 6:5 , it is written, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." This passage highlights the corrupt nature of human imagination when it is not submitted to God.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 7:24 , the prophet laments, "Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward." Here, the "inclinations" or "fancies" of the heart are depicted as leading the people away from God, resulting in spiritual regression.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to address the issue of human imagination and its potential to lead believers astray. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 , the Apostle Paul writes, "We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling one's thoughts and aligning them with the teachings of Christ, rather than allowing them to wander into vain imaginations or fancies.

In Romans 1:21 , Paul further explains, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." This passage illustrates how turning away from God leads to futile thinking and darkened understanding, a result of indulging in ungodly fancies.

Practical Application

The Bible encourages believers to guard their hearts and minds against ungodly fancies by focusing on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8 instructs, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This directive serves as a guide for Christians to cultivate thoughts that are pleasing to God and beneficial for spiritual growth.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the creative and imaginative capacity of the human mind, it also warns against the dangers of allowing one's fancies to lead away from God's truth. By submitting thoughts to Christ and focusing on virtuous and godly principles, believers can ensure that their imaginations serve to glorify God rather than detract from His purposes.(n.) Plural of Fancy.

The Ridiculous Fancies of the Manich??ans About the Motion of ...
... Chapter IX."The Ridiculous Fancies of the Manich??ans About the Motion of Matter
Towards God; God the Author of the Rebellion of Matter in the Manich??an ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter ix the ridiculous fancies of.htm

The Wild Fancies of Manich??us. The Battle Before the Constitution ...
... Against the Epistle of Manich??us Called Fundamental. Chapter 12. "The Wild Fancies
of Manich??us. The Battle Before the Constitution of the World. 14. ...
/.../chapter 12 name wild fancies.htm

The Fancies of Manich??us Concerning Matter.
... Chapter III."The Fancies of Manich??us Concerning Matter. It came to pass
on a time that matter conceived a desire to attain to ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter iii the fancies of manichaeus.htm

He Accuses Abaelard for Preferring his Own Opinions and Even ...
... CHAPTER V He accuses Abaelard for preferring his own opinions and even fancies to
the unanimous consent of the Fathers, especially where he declares that ...
/.../chapter v he accuses abaelard.htm

The Image of Matter in the Sun, after which Man is Formed ...
... Chapter XXIII."The Image of Matter in the Sun, After Which Man is Formed; Trifling
Fancies; It is a Mere Fancy, Too, that Man Is Formed from Matter; Man is ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter xxiii the image of matter.htm

Argument. --That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Truly Man, as ...
... Chapter X. Argument."That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Truly Man, as Opposed
to the Fancies of Heretics, Who Deny that He Took Upon Him True Flesh. ...
/.../chapter x argument that jesus christ.htm

A Rationale of Sleep, of Yawning, and of Dreams .
... But this ordinary seeing of dreams is common to all men, and arises in our fancies
in different modes and forms: for either there remain, as we have said, in ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xiii a rationale of sleep.htm

Faith
... See, then, how true the verse before my text must be, that he whose soul is lifted
up in him is not upright; for if a man fancies that his body and soul are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon v faith.htm

The Central Sun
... if we are not very careful, we shall be apt to mistake the meaning of Scripture,
and make it say what we like, and twist it to suit our own fancies, and our ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxx the central sun.htm

Of Orders.
... Are they not all fancies of his own, and very much like dreams, if we read
them and judge them freely? ... Whence, I ask, such fancies? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/of orders.htm

Fancies (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Fancy. Multi-Version Concordance
Fancies (3 Occurrences). Colossians 2:8 Take care lest ...
/f/fancies.htm - 7k

Instead (139 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:8 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners
by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human traditions and the ...
/i/instead.htm - 36k

Fancy (1 Occurrence)

/f/fancy.htm - 8k

Fan (8 Occurrences)

/f/fan.htm - 12k

Notions (6 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:8 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners
by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human traditions and the ...
/n/notions.htm - 8k

Leads (64 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:8 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners
by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human traditions and the ...
/l/leads.htm - 23k

Wholesome (10 Occurrences)
... they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled,
they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies; (WEY ...
/w/wholesome.htm - 10k

Wanting (27 Occurrences)
... will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled,
they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies; (WEY NAS ...
/w/wanting.htm - 14k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:8 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners
by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human traditions and the ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

Tickled (1 Occurrence)
... will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled,
they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies; (WEY NAS ...
/t/tickled.htm - 6k

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