Vain Imaginations


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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"
ROMANS 1:18-20


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.
ROMANS 1:21


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.

To list a few:
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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

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Ouch! I have got to say 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.

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

Really answers the question, "Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? It also answers the question, Psalm 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. I really like how Psalms 94:11 goes with your post. "The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. When you consider Ephesians 4:17 it realy starts to make sense. "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,"

It is a good word.