Use Your Imagination for Good

Your imagination is a gift from God and an aspect of being made in His image. 

When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, it corrupted aspects of humanity that were made in God's image. Suddenly, our God-given gift of imagination could be used for kingdom advancement or personal destruction.

We live much of our lives in response to what we imagine life should be like. Our jobs, relationships, appearances, or resources can all be devoted to pursuing what we think will fulfill us, only to be left disappointed. But Christ offers something better, and your imagination can be a key to fully grasping something that lasts.

What do you spend your mind on? And more importantly, will you use it for good?

Personal Destruction

Some of our most significant weaknesses, failures, and sin patterns flow from centering our imagination around our idea of a perfect life on earth. They come from a belief that we’re missing out on some aspect of experiencing the fullness of life.

• Maybe you’ll get that dream job, but at the cost of overwhelming stress and burnout.
• Maybe you’ll achieve the perfect body, but at the cost of eating disorders, body shame, and a negative self-image.
• Maybe you’ll be prepared for any scenario, but at the cost of constant anxiety and fear.
• Maybe you’ll experience the pleasures you’ve been craving, but at the cost of enslavement to lust and pornography.
• Maybe you’ll get all the money you’ve ever wanted, but at the cost of being suffocated by greed.

Sure, you may achieve the kind of life you want by imagining it for yourself. But the greater cost is more than you can bear. For all the accolades and possessions you collect in pursuit of these vain ambitions, your soul withers away (Mark 8:36). When we fix our imagination only on things of this world, we are set up for disappointment, discontentment, and disbelief.

Kingdom Advancement

God can do phenomenal things in and through a quiet soul who’s surrendered to God and fixated on eternity with Christ.

When our imagination is fixed on what life is meant for, when our strength is outside ourselves and found in the Savior of the world, and when our satisfaction and pleasure lie above us in the heavenly realm, we can cease our hollow striving and find true life and freedom in Christ.

In this reality, we can surrender the rest of our small “gains” to God, who will use us to love others, give generously, sacrifice humbly, and live faithfully. And when we die, we’ll leave everything behind that was broken, fleeting, and sinful to live with our Savior forever and have the true fullness of delight, joy, and pleasure that flow from Him.

This is why Paul was able to say in Philippians 1:21 that “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” God is the Author of life and death, and since He is eternal, our hope can be in this life and beyond.

So, are you honestly fanning the flame of faith with your imagination? Or are you lost to all sorts of half-truths and idol fantasies, spending your mind on worthless things that will fade with this world?

When we fix our imagination on the eternal kingdom of God, life and death both become viable options. Let the Holy Spirit use your imagination today for good.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our sermon series guide on the book of Philippians, or watch the most recent sermon from our Philippians sermon series.