The concept of "imagined" in the Bible often relates to the thoughts and intentions of the heart, particularly when they are contrary to God's will. The Bible frequently addresses the imagination of the human heart, highlighting both its potential for creativity and its propensity for evil.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the imagination of the heart is often depicted as a source of wickedness. Genesis 6:5 states, "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 verse underscores the idea that the human heart, left unchecked, tends to imagine and devise evil continually.

The Psalms also address the imagination of the heart. Psalm 2:1 asks, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?" Here, the word "plot" can be understood as the imagination or devising of plans that are ultimately futile against God's sovereign will. Similarly, Psalm 10:2 describes the wicked as those who "in arrogance pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the imagination is often linked to the mind and its capacity to understand and perceive spiritual truths. Romans 1:21 states, "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 highlights how the imagination, when turned away from God, leads to futile and darkened understanding.

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 10:5 , speaks of "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." Here, the imagination is something that must be disciplined and brought into alignment with the truth of God.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the imagination is a powerful aspect of the human soul that can be used for good or evil. It is a faculty that allows humans to envision possibilities, create, and innovate. However, when not submitted to God's authority, it can lead to idolatry, pride, and rebellion against God.

The Bible encourages believers to renew their minds and imaginations through the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves aligning one's imagination with God's truth and purposes.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are called to guard their hearts and minds, ensuring that their imaginations are not led astray by worldly influences. Philippians 4:8 provides guidance: "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." By focusing on what is true and noble, believers can cultivate an imagination that honors God and contributes to His kingdom.(imp. & p. p.) of Imagine.

As the Terrors of Imagined Suffering are Always Worse than Actual ...
... IV. As the terrors of imagined suffering are always worse than actual pain?
As the terrors of imagined suffering are always worse ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/iv as the terrors of.htm

Incredible Turpitudes in God Imagined by Manich??us.
... Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manich??ans. Chapter 44.
"Incredible Turpitudes in God Imagined by Manich??us. But ...
/.../chapter 44 name turpitudes in.htm

At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First XIX At the round earth's imagined
corners blow. Your trumpets, Angels; and arise, arise From ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/xix at the round earths.htm

But, Perhaps, Since the Friends of Job Imagined that they ...
... Some Other Fragments of the Same Methodius. I. But, perhaps, since the friends
of Job imagined that they understood the reason why he? ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/i but perhaps since the.htm

For a Case must be Imagined...
... Book VII. 17 Lo, if dogs " for a case must be imagined? Lo, if
dogs"for a case must be imagined, in order that things may ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/17 lo if dogs .htm

When You Hear the Word "Son," You must not Think of a Nativity ...
... the mind sense, or light brings forth brightness from itself, nothing of this sort
is sought for, or any manner of weakness and imperfection imagined in this ...
/.../7 when you hear the.htm

Formation of the Demiurge; Description of Him. He is the Creator ...
... 3. They go on to say that the Demiurge imagined that he created all these things
of himself, while he in reality made them in conjunction with the productive ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter v formation of the demiurge.htm

That the Supreme Cause and Author of all Things must of Necessity ...
... the secretion and motion of the juices in the body, besides several veins and other
vessels and receptacles not at all known, or so much as imagined to have ...
/.../xi proposition xi that the.htm

Then Further it is to be Observed that no Creature Can be Such as ...
... And just as in the sanctification of the Holy Ghost no thought of imperfection is
to be admitted, so in the Virgin-birth no defilement is to be imagined. ...
/.../8 then further it is.htm

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in
comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

Imagined (5 Occurrences)
...Imagined (5 Occurrences). Acts 8:20 "Perish your money and yourself," replied Peter,
"because you have imagined that you can obtain God's free gift with money! ...
/i/imagined.htm - 8k

Imagine (24 Occurrences)

/i/imagine.htm - 14k

Jebus (5 Occurrences)
... JERUSALEM, I). It would appear probable that the name "Jebus" was evolved by the
Hebrews as an alternate name, and possibly they may have imagined an earlier ...
/j/jebus.htm - 13k

Gareb (3 Occurrences)
... that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward" (Joshua 15:8), but this is too
far South; it is inconceivable that the prophet could have imagined the city ...
/g/gareb.htm - 8k

Imagines (2 Occurrences)

/i/imagines.htm - 7k

Fiction (2 Occurrences)
... mind. 2. (n.) That which is feigned, invented, or imagined; especially,
a feigned or invented story, whether oral or written. Hence ...
/f/fiction.htm - 7k

Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence)
... in other placenames, such as Ramath-mizpeh, and must be read as "Ramah of Lehi."
The name Lehi may have been given because of some real or imagined likeness in ...
/r/ramathlehi.htm - 8k

Ramath-lehi (1 Occurrence)
... in other placenames, such as Ramath-mizpeh, and must be read as "Ramah of Lehi."
The name Lehi may have been given because of some real or imagined likeness in ...
/r/ramath-lehi.htm - 8k

Restrained (51 Occurrences)
... the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and
now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. ...
/r/restrained.htm - 22k

Devices (43 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them
be taken in the devices that they have imagined. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/d/devices.htm - 18k

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