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| Vain Imaginations |
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Vain Imaginations
Yesterday I wrote a blog entitled, "The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures" and in that blog I talked about the power of our imaginations. We operate, whether realizing it or not, based upon the mental pictures we paint with our thoughts.
In Chapter 1 of the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul lays out some very sound reasons why our imaginations can actually begin to work against us rather than for us, or better said, against the ways of God rather than in agreement with His master plan.
First, Paul writes:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: What I see from these verses is that God has placed, or created, within every living creature an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong. When it talks about His wrath "is" revealed I believe it could be said that His wrath "has" been revealed for God "hath" shown it to them. People know when they are outside of God's way of life, there are no excuses.
But Paul goes on immediately after this and begins to list out, what I believe, is a set of progressive steps people can take that can lead to being turned over to a reprobate heart. In other words, steps that cause our own separation from God, not Him separating from us.
In verse 21 he describes what I consider to be four very crucial elements: Because that, when they knew God, (1) they glorified him not as God, (2)neither were thankful; (3) but became vain in their imaginations, and (4) their foolish heart was darkened. In connection with yesterday's blog, I want to talk for just a moment about No. 3, becoming vain in our imaginations. I found several dictionary definitions of the word vain that speak to my heart this morning.
To list a few:
- excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited
ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile
not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless:
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance; "a conceited fool"; "an attitude of self-conceited arrogance"; "an egotistical disregard of others"; "so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty"; "growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary";
naving no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying
Ouch! I have got to publicly state that at times, I see myself in some of those definitions. Quite often I am painting the wrong picture with my mind. But here's the point that I am trying to make through all of this. I believe, we cannot get to step No. 3, becoming vain in our imaginations, unless we have first committed the critical errors as shown in steps No. 1 and 2.
When we fail to glorify, or magnify God, and place the utmost value on Him, then inevitably, we will begin to fail to give thanks. We live in a world that is predominately thankless and according to this verse, that all started when they, or we, began failing in our glorification of God. In Timothy we read where a lack of thanks is one of top signs of the end of time, or the last days. We enter into the very gates of God with thanksgiving, and we enter His courts with praise. I guarantee when the former, glorifying God, really and truly becomes our primary focus, then the latter, having an attitude of thanks, will become virtually automatic.
Likewise, when we have failed to do the positive aspect of either of steps No.1 and 2, then, it is inevitable that we begin to become vain in our imaginations, No.3. A lack of praise and a lack of thankfulness are the first two signs that we are: (pick any definition of vanity from above), ouch!
As I mentioned yesterday, God's creativity will extend as far as your imagination will allow. But is it so very, very important that the pictures we paint, step No. 3, are a result of our obedience to the positive aspect of steps No. 1, and 2. It is then, and only then, that our thoughts begin to come in line with His will, His plan, and His loving perfection.
I hope to, at a later date, compose a blog on the issues related to item No. 4, but for the time being, my brain has enough to chew on. Thank you brethren for allowing me to express my thoughts and thank you in advance for your encouraging and challenging comments.
In closing, I would like to exhort you in the way of pointing you back to these ever-so-critical keys to remaining full of God which Paul has eloquently documented for us. I can assure you that no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, no matter how far you may have drifted away, the keys to drawing yourself back closer to His presence are listed right here. God loves you immensely and He is never the one who withdraws from us.
I encourage you to go back to step No. 1 and begin from there. Glorify, magnify and praise His Holy name. Then begin to thank him for all He is, and has done, is doing, and for the things He shall do. Then you will begin to think thoughts that are in accordance with His will and as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
In love,
Michael |
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| To add a comment to "Vain Imaginations" |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Great blog Michael! love Stu |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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"He has written it on the tablets of our heart"... 3:3 [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Good stuff,MichaelATL43!!! |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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Awesome, Michael.. Very, very awesome.
Love,
Joey |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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I once knew someone very close to me who thought they were wiser than God....can you imagine? I really can not fathom thinking that way...needless to say his foolish heart was darkened....I can't wait till you make a blog on # 4....it is one thing I can raise my hand and say "Oh, OH, I know, I know!"
We have to remember even Satan thought/still thinks he is wiser than God...man I never want to go down that path...what a terrible existence to live like that...as you say as a man thinks so is he....
That scripture in Romans to me really speaks to the fact that we ALL need to remember our foolish childhood days in the Lord or even now for that matter....if we don't attribute to the Lord what He has done and if we are not thankful (IN ALL SITUATIONS) we can really get our-self into a predicament...again I never want to be there...I will say thought I have had some really ignorant times in my Christian walk, ignorant of who God was, ignorant of what He had ALREADY provided for me, ignorant of His heart towards me....there was something in me telling me there was more and to dig...that is each one of our responsibilities....LOVE IT that God gave me a conscience....LOVE IT, I'm also truly grateful for the Holy Spirit as it brings so much light in my pea size brain! It truly helps me to comprehend at least in a small way how great our God is....
This was another great blog! In Him, Lori |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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Thank you Stu!i - Love you brother!
That's an awesome verse Jimmie, thanks for sharing.
You are so sweet Joey. Bless your heart.
Lori, I know you, and I can attest to the fact that there are many, many things for which you can raise your hand and say, "Oh, OH, I know, I know!", even with your pea-sized brain. And we all have pea-sized brains, me especially.
There is a reason why the Lord says, "Forgot not my benefits" Amen? We do, all too easily, forget. I still remember quite well where He brought me from and I praise Him for that!
Thanks once again for the great comment, |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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using the Lord's name in vain! YIKES!!!! ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile
not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Very good stuff here Michael...I look forward to the blog of NO. 4 and yes, you've given my brain a bit to chew on too...between you and Lori...I'll be chomping for awhile...LOL!!! But I thank God for using you as His Mouthpiece...Be blessed Michael! |
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| November 22, 2008 |
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I, So very much Love.... Your Wonderful Thoughts.... All of Your Blogs.
You offer a Great Teaching Talent to All that READ.....so Keep Them Coming. |
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