Atlanta Rhythm Section: "Imaginary Lover"

As far as I know, this is the only big hit the group had. They did release several albums before 1978 but this is the song which caught the public's imagination. Check it out here:

Is it a sin to have an imaginary lover? The Bible doesn't specify if it is or isn't. But it does have much to say about lust.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:27 and 28 (Bible in Basic English), "You have knowledge that it was said, 'You may not have connection with another man's wife:' But I say to you that everyone whose eyes are turned on a woman with desire has had connection with her in his heart."

Scripture also has much to say about the human imagination. Look at how the Lord describes it in Genesis 6:5 (BBE). "And the Lord saw that the sin of man was great on the earth, and that all the thoughts of his heart were evil."

Worse yet, we're born sinful. Look at Genesis 8:21 (BBE). "And when the sweet smell came up to the Lord, he said in his heart, 'I will not again put a curse on the earth because of man, for the thoughts of man's heart are evil from his earliest days; never again will I send destruction on all living things as I have done.'"

Being born wicked, it's only natural that pride has such a strong grip on people's affections. Deuteronomy 29:19 and 20 (BBE) states it bluntly. "If such a man, hearing the words of this oath, takes comfort in the thought that he will have peace even if he goes on in the pride of his heart, taking whatever chance may give him: The Lord will have no mercy on him, but the wrath of the Lord will be burning against that man, and all the curses recorded in this book will be waiting for him, and the Lord will take away his name completely from the earth."

Even so, we can also imagine holy things. We read this in 1 Chronicles 29:18 and 19 (BBE). "O Lord, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the deepest thoughts of your people, and let their hearts be fixed and true to you; And give to Solomon my son a true heart, to keep your orders, your rules, and your laws, and to do all these things, and to put up this great house for which I have made ready."

We also know that Christ will purge our imaginations of all wickedness when he returns. As Jeremiah 3:17 (BBE) describes it, "At that time Jerusalem will be named the seat of the Lord's kingdom; and all the nations will come together to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: and no longer will their steps be guided by the purposes of their evil hearts."

If this wonderful event hasn't happened by Thursday, I hope to post about the spiritual war raging today.