2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV)
On the positive side, our imagination is something that has been given to us by God. It is the breeding ground of dreams, visions, and goals that He has given you for yourself, your family, your church and community. That is the way that God intended for our imagination to be used – in a creative and positive way.
But, the truth is that many people have allowed the enemy to distort this wonderful gift from God. Others have allowed him to steal this gift. How? Our spiritual vision becomes distorted, lies of the enemy are magnified, spirits such as offense and criticism increase substantially – just to name a few!
Here are three characteristics of this stronghold:
1) It will cause you to see things that were never there.
How many times have we thought someone was upset at us or talking about us when the fact was they weren’t! Do people get upset at us or talk about us? Those things absolutely happen! But, I am convinced they don’t happen as much as we think they do! It is an attempt by satan himself to distract us from doing the work and plan of God. The stronghold of imagination is a distraction causing you to see things that were never there!
2) It will cause you to believe things that were never true.
In Numbers 13:31-33 ten of the twelve spies saw the giants as too big to overcome. In fact, they said those giants were SO big they looked like grasshoppers in their sight. They forgot how big their God was and were defeated in the process because they believed something that wasn’t true. God is greater and more powerful than any enemy you will ever face. Their lack of faith in God caused them and most of the people of Israel to miss the Promised Land. Don’t fall for the enemy’s lies.
3) It will cause you to hear things that were never said.
In Mark 4:24a, “Jesus said, ‘Take heed WHAT you hear.’”
In Luke 8:18a, He said, “Take heed therefore HOW you hear…” It is so easy to get offended over something that we didn’t hear correctly. It could be something as simple as the inflection of someone’s voice that makes us think they are mad at us or getting on to us when that isn’t the case at all. We’re letting our imagination deceive us. We are allowing the devil to plant seeds of discord in our hearts with things that were never said or that we didn’t hear correctly. Note that Jesus said it is important WHAT you hear, but He also said it is important HOW you hear.
Three keys to overcoming the Stronghold of Imagination: see with eyes of faith, spiritually discern the truth, and hear with spiritual ears! Guard against offense/spirit of criticism.
About Grace Community Church
Pastor Terry Davis is of Grace Community Church located on 600 South Water Street. You may contact the church at 573-729-4573. Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. The morning worship is at 10:30 a.m. Groups are available for adults, teens, and kids Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Learn more at the website https://www.gccsalem.org/about-us.
