In the context of the Bible, "imaginings" often refers to the thoughts, plans, or schemes that originate in the human heart and mind. These imaginings can be either positive or negative, but Scripture frequently addresses the dangers of sinful or vain imaginings that lead individuals away from God's truth and righteousness.

Old Testament References

The concept of imaginings is evident in the Old Testament, where the Hebrew word often translated as "imagination" or "thoughts" is "yetser." This term is used to describe the intentions or inclinations of the heart. In Genesis 6:5, the Bible 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." Here, the imaginings of humanity are depicted as continually evil, prompting God's judgment through the flood.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 7:24, the prophet laments the stubbornness of the people: "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." This passage highlights how the imaginings of the heart can lead to spiritual regression and disobedience to God.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the Greek word "dialogismos" is often used to describe thoughts or reasonings. Jesus addresses the issue of sinful imaginings in Mark 7:21-22: "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness." Here, Jesus emphasizes that evil imaginings originate from within and defile a person.

The Apostle Paul also warns against vain imaginings in Romans 1:21: "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 rejecting God leads to futile and darkened imaginings, resulting in moral and spiritual decay.

Spiritual Warfare and Imaginings

The Bible teaches that believers must guard their minds against sinful imaginings as part of spiritual warfare. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul writes, "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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 passage underscores the importance of controlling one's thoughts and aligning them with the truth of Christ.

Renewal of the Mind

Scripture encourages believers to renew their minds and focus on godly imaginings. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves replacing sinful imaginings with thoughts that are pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:8 provides further 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." This verse encourages believers to focus their imaginings on virtues that reflect God's character.

Conclusion

The Bible presents imaginings as a powerful aspect of human nature that can either lead to sin or be harnessed for spiritual growth. By aligning their thoughts with God's truth and taking every thought captive to Christ, believers can ensure that their imaginings contribute to a life that honors God.

Meekness and Rest
... I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing"; instead of mercy we
find cruelty; instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings; instead of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/ix meekness and rest.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... in the past ten years of our own mental history long trains of thought,"sinful
thought,"and vast processions of feelings and imaginings,"sinful feelings ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

Greatest, O Supreme Creator of Things Invisible! O Thou who Art ...
... and to express doubt whether that God exists or not; whether He is believed in on
the proved truth of reliable evidence, or on the imaginings of empty rumour. ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/31 o greatest o supreme.htm

But this is the State of the Case, that as You are Exceedingly ...
... you think you excel in knowledge of the truth also, and are pious before the gods,
[4271] whose might you have been the first to besmirch with foul imaginings. ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/37 but this is the.htm

Abbott -- the Divinity in Humanity
... in that beautiful poem of his, that the babe came through the blue sky and got the
blue of his eyes as he came; Wordsworth, that the child's imaginings are the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/abbott the divinity in.htm

The Freighted Ship
... of that stillness, the Holy Ghost will lift thy heart far into the heights of heaven "
far above thy works and ways " far above thy thoughts and imaginings ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xviii the freighted ship.htm

'Is it I?'
... The genius of many great painters has portrayed the Lord's Supper, but the
reality of it was very different from their imaginings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/is it i.htm

The Interceding Spirit
... steadfast our hopes, and the more our spirits reach out to that future redemption,
the more are we bound to discern something more than human imaginings in them ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the interceding spirit.htm

Rom. xiii. 11
... Let us put off imaginings, let us get clear of the dreams of this life present,
let us lay aside its deep slumber, and be clad in virtue for garments. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiv rom xiii 11.htm

But, Lest Man Should Conceive Thoughts Too High, and be Exalted ...
... of the authority and freedom granted to him, and so should transgress against his
maker God, overpassing his measure, and entertain selfish imaginings of pride ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 15 but lest man.htm

Imaginings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Imaginings (1 Occurrence). Daniel 4:5 I saw a
dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts upon my bed ...
/i/imaginings.htm - 6k

Gnosticism
... as the fantastic product of the blending of certain Christian ideas-particularly
that of redemption through Christ-with speculation and imaginings derived from ...
/g/gnosticism.htm - 38k

Imagining (3 Occurrences)

/i/imagining.htm - 7k

Imalcue

/i/imalcue.htm - 6k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... the moral character of David, they consider the references to David as a writer
of hymns and the organizer of the temple choirs as the pious imaginings of late ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Archaeology
... and without mother" (Hebrews 7:3), Tell el-Amarna Letters, while not wholly affording
the needed information, have put to flight a host of imaginings of old ...
/a/archaeology.htm - 61k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... and without mother" (Hebrews 7:3), Tell el-Amarna Letters, while not wholly affording
the needed information, have put to flight a host of imaginings of old ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

Anem (1 Occurrence)

/a/anem.htm - 101k

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