“and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” (Col 3:10, NKJV)

On one the most powerful human capabilities given by God is the ability to generate or visualize images. Imagination can either empower us or destroy us. Because there is so much power in imagination it behooves us to train our imaginations in Godly pursuits.

Apostle Paul tells us:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2Co 10:3-6, NKJV)

Let’s consider this passage carefully. First, he acknowledges that we live in a world of flesh, or a carnal world. He calls it our walk.

The primary ancient Hebrew verb for walking is \(Halach\) (הָלַךְ), and it combines two powerful action symbols:

1. \(Lamed\) (ל): Depicted as a shepherd's staff. It symbolizes authority, teaching, and guiding toward a specific direction.
2. \(Kaf\) (כ): Depicted as the palm of an open hand. It symbolizes reaching out, covering, or opening up.

• Word Picture Meaning: Together, these letters depict walking as "learning to be guided by the staff". Walking through life means following a direction. In the ancient Hebrew mindset, life is a metaphorical journey through a desert. The Torah (the teachings/instructions) is viewed as the "landmarks" and "signs" along that walking journey to ensure you don't get lost.

The Apostle Paul wants us to be aware that our walk in also a battle, a war. Our warfare is a spiritual one that is an inner fight.

This is played out in the life of our Adon, our Master Yeshua when he begins His “walk” by literally being led into the dessert to be confronted by the enemy, Satan.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.' " Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU,' and, IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' " Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.' " Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.' " Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” (Mat 4:1-11, NKJV)

Notice this is a war of the imagination. First Satan tells Him to command stones to become bread to prove He is the “image” of God, His Son. Yeshua the acknowledged true image of the Father.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Col 1:15, NKJV)

This is how important our imaginations are. They reveal whose we are. Satan is attacking the image of the Father as provider. Yeshua responds to the challenge by stating that His Sonship and provision come from His living on the Words that come directly from His Father, our God. In this response He transfers the conversation from one of power to one of trust. Satan is all about power. Yeshua has power but it comes from faith or trust.

Next Satan takes Him in the imagination of His mind to the Temple. He challenges the image of the Father as protector. Fathers are protectors. Their protection is based again on trust and meekness. Satan challenges this by trying to turn it into performance by demanding it. Yeshua wisely expresses His trust in the Father and the respect that it garners.

Finally Satan comes out with his real goal, to be God, to be worshipped. He “shows” Yeshua all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He ties to activate Yeshua’s imagination to see Himself as Lord. Yeshua already is Lord and He knows that His authority comes from who He is, the Son of God.

What I want to emphasize here is the nature of this battle. It is a battle of images and imaginations. Satan is a deceiver and he uses the tricks of the imagination to deceive. If He can capture the imaginations of our heart then he can lead us into temptation and evil.

This is why Yeshua taught in the Lord’s prayer: “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Mat 6:13, NKJV)

This is the true battleground, the place of the imagination. We are instructed to be casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2Co 10:5-6, NKJV).

The word translated arguments, logismos, is also translated as imaginations. It implies a complete strategy that has been conceived of in the mind through the power of imagination. We know that it exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Think about that for a minute. What could be exalted against the knowledge of God?

This topic is extensively reflected in the book of Proverbs. I would encourage to read some daily. Here is one example:

“The eyes of the LORD protect knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous person.” (Pro 22:12, NASB)

The Hebrew word defined as “treacherous” is “beged” which also means clothing, the idea being of a disguised covert purpose. Haven’t we all experienced this kind of betrayal, one who acts like a friend but really has their own agenda? They say, “clothes make the man” but the truth is God discloses the heart of man and also refines the man or the woman.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”” (1Sa 16:7, NASB)

The heart is the place of the imagination. We need to submit our imaginations to the obedience of Christ, Brining our thoughts and desires captive or surrendered to Him.

In the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, we see this conflict and choice:

“This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD. “For he will be like a bush in the desert, And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt that is not inhabited. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose trust is the LORD. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water That extends its roots by a stream, And does not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought, Nor cease to yield fruit. “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, To give to each person according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. “As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid, So is a person who makes a fortune, but unjustly; In the middle of his days it will abandon him, And in the end he will be a fool.” A glorious throne on high from the beginning Is the place of our sanctuary. LORD, the hope of Israel, All who abandon You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, that is the LORD.” (Jer 17:5-13, NASB)

Activation: Sanctifying our imaginations:

1. The “Inner Room” Exercise. Training your spiritual sight by creating a place in your imagination for encountering God.
2. First find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably. Close your eyes and pray: “Lord, I invite You into this moment. Help me see with my spiritual eyes and guide me into Your presence.”
3. In your mind, imagine stepping into a beautiful room—a private sanctuary designed just for you and God.
4. Picture the details: the walls, the lighting, the furniture, and the atmosphere. Visualize Jesus entering the room. How does He look? What does His presence feel like? Notice every detail—the expression on His face, the way He moves, and how you feel in His presence. Utilize all of your senses as you interact with the Lord. Take a few moments to talk with Jesus or simply sit with Him. Ask Him questions, listen for His responses, or just enjoy being in His presence.
5. After 10–15 minutes, open your eyes and write down what you saw and experienced. Repeat this exercise regularly, allowing the details and interactions to deepen over time.