Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. – Proverbs 12:20
Are you a daydreamer? Do you spend an inordinate amount of time imagining? Creativity and problem-solving are aided by directed imagining, but engaging in too much of it can become disruptive. For example, excessive imagining can distort reality or cause you to misinterpret events, people, or situations. If your imagination leads to negative thinking, it can bring on emotional distress, the desire to socially isolate yourself from others, and escape into fantasy rather than dealing with real life. In the end, it may paralyze you from pursuing positive action.
The Bible cautions against too much imagining. The issue is that the natural self is prone to think negatively. Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” Jeremiah said that the people “did not obey or incline their ear [toward the things of God], but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart” (Jeremiah 11:8). King Solomon wrote that wisdom will “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
God’s remedy for an overactive imagination is to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Those who know Jesus know that they have been given a spirit of “power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). The prophet Isaiah said God has promised, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). Be diligent in remaining closely connected to the Savior so the deceptions of this world do not usher you into imaginings that steal your peace. Therefore, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). As you pray, the Holy Spirit will help you to use your imagination to the glory of God and for His kingdom. The result will be greater contentment and a joy-filled heart.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Timothy 6:3-12
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
