One of the strangest statements you’ll ever read is found in the book of 2 Corinthians.

“We look not at the things which are seen, but at things which are not seen:” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Look at things that are not seen?

Is that not a contradiction in terms? How can you look at something not seen?

It all depends on what eyes you choose to look with.

Paul continues that same verse by explaining, “for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

In the natural Paul would be speaking gobbledegook, but spiritually he is spot on.

Spiritual Eyes

The Scriptures teach that you are a spirit, just like your Father. The real you is the person housed inside this temporary shelter we call a body.

Just as your natural man has senses and outward abilities, so does your spirit man.

You can see and taste, touch, and sense the eternal.

This is why imagination is so powerful.

When harnessed by the spiritual nature it is one of the most potent mechanisms and technologies that God uses to speak to and disclose things to us.

The Power of Imagination

On the negative side we witness the raw potential of imagination first revealed in the book of Genesis:

“…nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Genesis 11:6 KJV)

The temptation is to throw the baby out with the bathwater and run hard in the opposite direction from things that have been misused and misapplied. New Age practitioners exploit the spiritual possibilities of inner visions and imagination, and this has led the people of God to look with distrust on some of the very technologies God has equipped them with to clearly communicate and converse with Him.

Maybe that’s you? Maybe you have covered your spiritual eyes fearing that the same devil swizzing the sorcerers and shamans will somehow hijack your inner screen.

Satan can only counterfeit what God has created. The very existence of a counterfeit experience points to the fact the genuine article exists. Throughout the Scriptures, we find prophetic people described as ‘seers’, and in the new covenant we’ve all been called to live with prophetic insight.

That doesn’t make us all prophets, but we are all pray-ers. Every one of us is called to pray intelligently and with insight. Imagination could quite possibly be described as exactly that in-sight.

Reclaim Your Vision

I encourage you to reclaim your vision!

Practically one way to do this is to close your eyes and imagine a white canvas spanning your field of view. Ask the Holy Spirit to project His images on that canvas. You can even ask a specific question and ask Him to show you a picture.

Then like Habbakuk,

“…watch to see what he will say.” (Habakkuk 2:1 KJV)

I trust the Holy Ghost enough to take this simple exercise and lead you into deeper visionary experiences. I want to be careful not to overcomplicate or over-inflate how exciting this practice can be. I have sometimes heard highly prophetic people speak of dreams, visions, and experiences that leave me spiritually salivating but feeling vastly inadequate in my simplicity.

Instead of backing you off with all sorts of wild and wonderful stories of visions and dreams, I’ll allow the Holy Spirit Himself to lead you in by Himself. He knows what will be beneficial for you, and will not take you places that could divert you from the truth.

Apply Manna Liberally

One thing I would love to recommend as you practice in-sight is that you vigorously apply the Manna Principle outlined in the chapter titled “Stay Curious”. When God shows you something, however hazy it may seem at the outset, stay with Him and ask, “What is it? What does that mean? Show me more. Show me more…”

Like any skill and faculty of the spirit man, your confidence and proficiency will build by use.

Consider this magnificent verse from Hebrews:

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14 KJV)

By reason of use and persistent practice, we exercise our senses to discern spiritual realities.

We see and experience the eternal.