Eyes

These intricate visual sensors are one of the five senses whereby both healthy, legitimate information is received and also how evil can enter into our lives (1 Jn 2:16). When Jesus said, "The eye is the lamp to our body" He was inferring this illuminates or provides guidance to our whole being (Mt 6:22,23). Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look

What we see has a profound impact on our memory

with lust at a girl (Job 31:1). We are to be disciplined in this area too, and although we may not be able to shield ourselves from experiencing visual temptation, this should not become fuel for our minds. David saw, thought and then acted foolishly (2 Sam 11:2-5). Jesus said if the act of adultery
is sin so is the lustful thought – men’s eyes don’t stop sinning (Ex 20:14; Prov 27:20; Mt 5:28; 2 Pet 2:14). Continually we are confronted with sexual temptation. However, we have a choice – will I take a second look, imagine and think about what I have seen, so allowing it to etch itself indelibly into my mind’s memory bank from where Satan will retrieve it and develop a stronghold of bondage and defeat?. It is our responsibility to use self-control to prevent access to what is undesirable, harmful or destructive such as viewing pornography.

Jesus came to open the eyes of both the spiritually and physically blind (Lk 4:18). We are to continue the mandate – “Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” (Mt 28:19,20; Mk 16:15-18; Act 26:18). This is contrasted to Satan who “blinds the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel” (Jn 12:40; 2 Cor 4:4).

We have been taken from spiritual darkness where we couldn’t see, into the light of God’s Kingdom (Col 1:13; 1 Jn 1:5-7, 2:9-11; 1 Pet 2:9). Our spiritual eyes need to be open so we know what’s available to us in Christ and able to comprehend Satan’s tactics, so we don’t get caught off guard (Lk 24:31; Eph 1:18, 6:10-18, 4:27; 1 Pet 5:8). “Open my (spiritual) eyes to see wonderful things in your word” (Ps 119:18). Even as a Christian to what extent is my spiritual understanding of the riches of Christ (also termed the divine exchange) becoming clear and being put into practice in my life?

We are to fix our eyes (focus) on Jesus so we are not distracted from His calling on our life (Prov 4:25; Heb 12:2). When our attention is on us and our problems we sink (Mt 14:30). Abraham was told, “Lift up your eyes” (Gen 13:14). In the natural realm there may appear to be only defeat but the

“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” – Psalm 101:3

challenge is for us to see perplexing situations in the light of eternity not from an earthly perspective. Don’t give up – look up, see the opportunities, see who is for us in the powerful spiritual realm (2 Kgs 6:17). In faith reach out to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to speak divine revelation into our spirits, bringing enlightenment, comfort and conviction beyond the natural physical realm.

God looks for and strengthens those whose hearts are upright, for His eyes are on the righteous but against the evil doers. Nothing can be hidden from His eyes (2 Chr 16:9; Heb 4:13; 1 Pet 3:12).

We should also have an honest, non-conceited appraisal of ourselves. The Bible instructs don’t be wise in your own eyes or opinion (1 Sam 15:17,19; Prov 3:7, 16:2, 21:2; Isa 5:21; Rom 12:3). When no clear direction was given “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” – what they considered appropriate behaviour because the wicked have no fear of God to guide them (Jdg 17:6; Ps 36:2).