Francis Bacon—an English statesman and philosopher, whose life touched the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries—once wrote that “money is a great servant but a bad master.” Since that time, a few variations of the servant vs. master theme have been contrived and used by different people. One that I saw was applied to fire, another to the mind, and still another—by Agatha Christie through her protagonist Hercule Poirot—pertained to the imagination, specifically. Hercule’s words were: imagination is a good servant and a bad master.  

What It Meant To Me

I saw that quote from Christie years ago and it resonated deeply with me. Perhaps at that time imagination was still in some ways a master in my life—and a cruel one indeed. I always had a fertile imagination, even as a little boy—or perhaps I should say—especially as a little boy. This imagination was an impetus to much deep thinking and speculating—going beyond the boundaries of what most in my ultra-traditional circles would have considered normal. It was probably partially the reason I became an outcast.

Some of my speculation and thinking bore good fruit and helped me discover new things in life that were helpful. But, many times this was not the case. My imagination took a dark turn on many occasions or served as an escape in the form of unrealistic or evil fantasies. This became all the more true as I grew older and faced more and more rejection. I never realized what was going on—that I was being brutally dominated by my imagination. It all just came so naturally to me, and seemed much better than facing reality.

Cowardice

I’ve since come to discover that escaping reality is a form of bondage and that the truth can really set you free—if you have the courage to face it and all it shows you about yourself. Hiding behind fantasy and escapism is actually an act of cowardice, I’ve come to discover. It is laziness and rebellion against the word of God.

Romans 1:18 & 21 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth… 21. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. – ESV 

Vain Imaginations

The term “futile in their thinking” in verse 21 is translated “vain in their imaginations” in the King James. It is a fairly accurate description of the condition I was in for much of my life. And notice the connection between suppressing the truth, and vain imaginations. Vain imaginations keep us from coming to the knowledge of the truth and actually cause us to suppress the truth. What happens when the Lord gets a hold of our lives? What does He prescribe for us to deal with the problem of futile thinking or vain imaginations? 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ… ESV 

In this case it is “arguments” in verse 5 that is translated “imaginations” in the King James. Arguments or imaginations can be strongholds. They are categorized with lofty opinions which denotes pride or arrogance. And we can destroy all of these things by taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 

A Sanctified Imagination

If we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify our imaginations and give Him control of our thoughts, perhaps He will begin to bring vain imaginations to our attention so we can take them captive and make them obey Christ. This is how we make our imaginations good servants rather than putting up with them as a bad master. 

Our imaginations were made for positive creativity, beneficial learning and beneficial teaching in the natural and the spiritual. They were made for good inventions, art, architecture, design and business enterprises, just to name a few things. Let’s focus on things of this nature as our imaginations serve us in obedience to Christ. We are allowed to think outside the human box. Let’s just not go outside of God’s beneficial boundaries.