Using Your Imagination

(Proverbs 18:11 KJV)  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

In this verse the NASB translates a Hebrew word as “imagination” (4906).  Although that is a legitimate way to go, it misses the nuances of the word.  The KJV uses “conceit.”  That also misses the mark.  The word is used in regard to carving idols.  It means to take human creativity and try to make a divine image.  It is part of idolatry.

The point here is that our “imagination” can work against the values of God.  It can become conceit.

We rely on our imagination a lot.  That can have it’s good side and it’s bad side.  We can use imagination to fill in the gaps, to try to understand the agony of Christ during the passion, to strive to know what it is to love.  We can use it to create new ways to help those who are stubborn.  We can use it to find new ways to write blog posts.

We can also use it to shield us from the clear teaching of God.  That is the warning here.  We are adroit at slipping in our conceits for the commandments. 

So?  Channel your creativity.  Start with the clear truth and find ways to apply it.  Don’t start with a lie and try to spread it over the truth.  Focus.