Why Do We Need to Control Our Imaginations
We demolish arguments and every pretension [vain imagination (KJV)] that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5
The weapons of our warfare are not for physical battle. Paul tells us that our weapons are for the demolishing of arguments and every vain imagination. I have often talked about overcoming the lies we believe about God, ourselves, and others. In fact, realigning our beliefs toward what God says about these things is the majority of what I talk about.
However, this second part of the battle, gaining control of our imaginations, is not addressed as much. We need to know how to stop imagining things and how to stop negative thoughts. Still, there are two main reasons to work on how to stop imagining things.
- What we imagine becomes what we do.
- What we imagine becomes what we believe.
1. What We Imagine Becomes What We Do
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. – James 1:13-15
James shows us in this passage how to fight sin. Temptations are not some outward force being pushed onto us, but they are birthed from something within us – our negative thoughts. There may be some outwards forces that lure us to consider sin, but those temptations that find fertile ground in our negative thinking are those that grow and motivate our actions.
I used to think that my obsessive thinking was not a problem because it was just thoughts in my head. I wasn’t hurting anyone. As I was imagining things, I wasn’t acting out on them. James says we need to avoid negative thoughts because dwelling on them creates space for them to grow and becomes our temptations… and eventually our sin.
2. What We Imagine Becomes What We Believe
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. – Matthew 5:27-28
This passage has put fear into many men. But, if Jesus came to bring freedom, why would He make things harder?
This verse and the corresponding passage about murder are instructions on how to find greater freedom. While the implications of this passage is weighty, it is not intended to create greater guilt, but to highlight the dangers of our imaginations. If we let our thoughts linger on evil, we will train our hearts to want it. If you want to live in purity, stop evil at the source – control your mind from unwanted thoughts.
If you want to explore this topic more, check out these two books: Victorious Mindsets by Steve Backlund and Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson.
How To Control Negative Thoughts
Seeing how our vain imaginations can hinder our relationship with God, the next question is how to get yourself to stop. There are three steps to gain control of thoughts.
- Realize not all imaginations are leading you from God.
- Overcome negative thoughts with good.
- Find out what is encouraging the evil imaginations.
1. Realize Not All Imaginations Are Bad
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:1-2
The things you let your mind dwell on are the things you train your heart to want. Therefore allow your mind to linger on things above. Allow God to lead and guide your imaginations. If God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), then let’s get God to help us to imagine more.
2. Overcome Negative Thoughts With Good
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
Our minds are made to think and imagine things. It is using our imagination that we think of new solutions to problems and we gain new hope for our current situations. However, our negative thinking can also lead us to sin or fall into deep despair and depression. We fight off those vain imaginations by working with God to imagine the good He can bring about (Romans 8:28).
It’s not that we really want to stop our imaginations; we just want them to start working for us. I have found declarations help reset my mind on the things I want to think about. Tell yourself the truths of Scripture about yourself, about God, about your situation. Remind yourself of those things God has shown you in prayer. Think how you would live if you truly believed them to be true. This new focus of your thinking can actually improve your prayer as you increase your faith in what God may do.
3. Find Out What Is Encouraging Your Negative Imaginations
I used to have violent nightmares. They would wake me up with a start and my heart would be pounding. I feel God showed me that I needed to stop watching violent movies. By cutting those out, I virtually stopped all my nightmares.
There were times that I would still fantasize negative things happening, and in them I would beat, maim, or kill the person doing evil. When I caught myself imagining these things, I would change my thinking to something else. However, the fact that I kept reverting to these negative imaginations was revealing something in me that allowed those thoughts to take root.
In this situation, it was showing that I didn’t fully trust in God’s protection of me. If I were to be truly safe, I thought I would need to be stronger, faster, or smarter than the enemy. I assumed bad would eventually happen, and I needed to be prepared. I didn’t trust God to protect me.
There is no need to dissect every bad thought, but if you are having a difficult time stopping negative thought patterns, then get with a trusted friend and talk it through and ask God about them.
Let’s Stop Imagining Things That Are Bad
What would life be like if evil could not happen in my presence because I brought God with me? How can I get to the place in my life where I trusted His protection?
Tell someone your unwanted thoughts. Bring them into the light and replace them with those heavenly things, things that are good, excellent and praiseworthy. You are made for the things of God; allow your mind to imagine what those things are and how to make those things happen.
- Is there anything you would add? Please share them in the comments below.
Thankyou.. I struggled with unwanted thought and imagination.. even I imagine my son died etc, its horrible.. I love God but maybe I watch some tv series about fighting or killing someone.. I dunno but this article help me so much to take back to God.. thankyou.. God bless
Ian,
I appreciate your comment. That had a huge effect on me. Those nightmares were frequent until I stopped watching violent movies. Now the most violent my dreams get is when I try to kick a soccer ball and then wake up to kicking my wife’s leg. She doesn’t find that funny at all.
Seriously, give it try cutting out those movies and see if it helps you. There is a reason God wants us to guard our thoughts.
Blessings,
Kevin
Thanks for this teaching. I have been battling with negative thoughts and crippling fear since September after I lost a brother inlaw! It has been the most terrible experience ever since I was born ! I can’t close my eyes to sleep because I would imagine the way he laid dead, the way I prayed and cried all to no avail! Then to make matters worse, I joined to go go and deposit his body in the morgue!! All these formed the roots of my thoughts, and once it gets dark or I am alone, I would begin to imagine what if he appears, then fear would grip and torment me!!! I cried to God to terminate the fear, He is faithful I can now control my thoughts through the help of the Holy Spirit. And now, I can actually say,that I am gradually gaining victory over my fears. Please pray for me that I may regain my peace . Thanks for your encouragement.
struggling with the same, choking Gods presence with carnal thoughts but i will put the article into practice have to conquer carnality for Gods presence to dwell richly in me
Ruth,
It is so easy to do. I pray you find success in renewing your mind.
Blessings,
Kevin
Amen
I think my worst problem is just pie-in-the-sky daydreams that get my hopes up for something that will never happen. They are very positive and uplifting, but then when I snap out of them, the cold harsh reality of what’s happening in my life really hits me hard. I guess you could say my daydreams are an escape from reality, and I long for them to happen. But I highly doubt they are from God. I do have negative thoughts and once in a while, negative daydreams that make me petrified of the future, but they are spin-offs of what I’m actually going through. Because of stuff happening in my life to me and my family, I’m in torment alot of the time and cry with most anything. I pray all the time and seek closeness with God daily, but I never experience God’s peace, though He speaks to me through devotionals, Scripture, and nature on a regular basis. What would you advise me in my situation?
Thanks you for your spiritual support I’m learning and it’s really helpful to me
thanks you and God bless you .
Where your treasure is there your ❤ heart will be….. It is good to focus on the right….
Brave and necessary post. Thank you.
Hope you are aware that your posts are very timely and accurate.
Greetings from South Africa and keep doing what you’re doing.