Definition and Context:
Fancying, in a biblical context, refers to the act of imagining or entertaining thoughts that are often speculative or whimsical. It can involve daydreaming or forming mental images that are not grounded in reality. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "fancying," the concept can be related to the broader biblical themes of thought life, imagination, and the heart's desires.

Biblical References and Themes:

1. Guarding the Heart and Mind:
The Bible emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart and mind, as they are the sources of thoughts and imaginations. Proverbs 4:23 states, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the necessity of being vigilant about what one allows to dwell in their thoughts, as these can influence actions and character.

2. Imaginations and Speculations:
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of imaginations and speculations in 2 Corinthians 10:5 : "We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Here, Paul speaks to the need for believers to control their thoughts and align them with the truth of God's Word, rather than allowing fanciful or speculative ideas to take root.

3. The Heart's Desires:
Fancying can also relate to the desires of the heart, which can be either righteous or sinful. Psalm 37:4 encourages believers to "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This suggests that when one's desires are aligned with God's will, they are more likely to be fulfilled. Conversely, unchecked or ungodly desires can lead to sin, as seen in James 1:14-15 : "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

4. Renewing the Mind:
The transformation of the mind is a key biblical principle that counters the potential negative effects of fancying. Romans 12:2 instructs, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." Renewing the mind involves focusing on God's truth and allowing it to shape one's thoughts and imaginations.

5. Meditation on God's Word:
The Bible encourages meditation on God's Word as a means of directing one's thoughts and imagination towards what is true and noble. Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed man as one whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This practice helps believers to cultivate a mind that is centered on God and His purposes.

Practical Implications:
Believers are called to be mindful of their thought life, ensuring that their imaginations and desires are in line with biblical teachings. This involves actively engaging with Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern and align one's thoughts with God's will. By doing so, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of idle fancying and instead cultivate a heart and mind that reflect the character of Christ.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fancy.

But Others Deceive Themselves by Fancying that they Can Retain the ...
... Canon V. But others deceive themselves by fancying that they can retain
the property of others which? But others deceive themselves ...
/.../canonical epistle of gregory thaumaturgus/canon v but others deceive.htm

Two Fortresses
... So we have 'the strong tower' and 'the strong city'; the man lifted up above danger
on the battlements of the one, and the man fancying himself to be high ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/two fortresses.htm

As to the Forgiveness of Sins, it Ought to be Enough Simple to ...
... For the Pagans are wont to ridicule us, saying that we deceive ourselves, fancying
that crimes committed in deed can be purged by words. ...
/.../40 as to the forgiveness.htm

The Knowledge of God
... persons, as some people used to do in old times; but there is great fear of our
dividing God's substance, parting God's substance, that is, fancying that God ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxi the knowledge of.htm

Duty and Superstition
... you will; but I know that I love what is right, and wish to do my duty;' and so
they have been made perplexed and unhappy, one day fancying themselves worse ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon vii duty and superstition.htm

How to Keep Passion Week
... But unless they keep in mind the mind of Christ, they are apt to fall into the mistake
of using vain repetitions, as the heathen do; and of fancying, like them ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon i how to keep.htm

Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
... One can but pity them, when one sees them applying to themselves God's warnings
against sins of which they never even heard the names, and fancying that God ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xi self-respect and self-righteousness.htm

The Nature of Enthusiasm
... but they have it not; consequently, all their following behaviour is as wide of
truth and soberness as that of the ordinary madman who, fancying himself an ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 37 the nature of.htm

The Old, Old Story
... I could not help fancying, as I saw his face just now, that he would think I was
doting on the old subject, and harping on the old strain; that I had not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the old old story.htm

The Humanheartedness of Jesus.
... children have to learn. We find ourselves fancying that he must always have
known how to read and write and speak. We think of the ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter i the humanheartedness of.htm

Fancying (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fancy. Multi-Version
Concordance Fancying (1 Occurrence). 2 Thessalonians 2:2 not ...
/f/fancying.htm - 6k

Fancy (1 Occurrence)

/f/fancy.htm - 8k

Unsettled (5 Occurrences)
... in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message
or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day ...
/u/unsettled.htm - 7k

Fangs (5 Occurrences)

/f/fangs.htm - 7k

Readily (22 Occurrences)
... in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message
or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day ...
/r/readily.htm - 13k

Pretended (9 Occurrences)
... in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message
or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day ...
/p/pretended.htm - 9k

Claiming (7 Occurrences)
... in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message
or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day ...
/c/claiming.htm - 8k

Spiritual (42 Occurrences)
... in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message
or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day ...
/s/spiritual.htm - 51k

Revelation (52 Occurrences)
... in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message
or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day ...
/r/revelation.htm - 89k

Fancying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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