Is There Anything Wrong With Fantasizing?

So whatever you feed grows right. (By the way, if you want a good laugh, check out this post illustrating this) If we don't take thoughts captive, they eventually give birth to death. Our thoughts can be the very thing that kills us. Have you ever thought about that? Rather than having your life destroyed by cancer, car crash or tornado, the most probable way of our life could be destroyed is by our own thoughts gone wild.

Potiphar's wife is a perfect example for us of what happens when we let our thoughts run free.
"after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph..."   and as a result she "said, 'Come to bed with me!" (Gen. 39)

Potiphar's wife's thoughts led to action. Just as it does for all of us. When we think about something enough we act on it. For instance, if I'm craving coffee, the more I think about how I'd like a cup of coffee, the more I desire it. The more we look at something (or think about something), the more attractive and desirable it becomes. Then the more I think about wanting a cup of coffee eventually I'll make a way to get a cup of coffee. 

The more we think about something, the more urgent and important it feels, which moves us to action. James describes this progression, "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (Jam. 1:14-15)

To think we can keep thinking about something and never have it turn into an action is foolish. If that were true the Lord wouldn't have told us many times in Scripture things like, "Set your minds on things above" (Col. 3:1) or "Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5) Thoughts become actions.

Just as there were consequences not only for Potiphar's wife, but for her husband and the object of her desire, fruit will always come to pass if given enough time and exposure to the things that make it grow. Basically, if we don't take fantasy thoughts captive, they will hurt us. We can't expect to play with fire and not get burned.

And the deceptive thing about fantasy thoughts are that they are never satisfied. The Lord describes a progression in James in which no one is exempt. One thing will lead to another unless you step in a take the thought captive.

So by the strength of the Holy Spirit, lets control our thoughts, instead of letting them control us.

About Laura

Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has four kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 11 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks 10-20 times a year. Laura is an award winning author of a 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, recently released Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest and youtube.

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