Eyes

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!”

Matthew 6:22-23 (CSB)

Perhaps you’ve heard the saying: The eyes are the window to the soul. I seached on the internet and could not verify the actual origin. Some sugest it goes back to the Roman statesman Cicero who lived from 106 – 43 BC. Others attribute it to William Shakespeare. Regardless of where it comes from, most of us probably agree with it to some extent. It doesn’t matter how hard we try to put up a good front, our eyes betray us. The idea is that when we look deeply into someone eyes we can see the hidden emotions there. We can distort our face in an attempt to appear okay but we can’t really conceal it.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus makes a similar sounding statement but I believe he is saying something completely different. He says that our eyes are the “lamp” or “light” of the body. Our eyes are the gateway by which things enter our hearts and minds. It’s not just about being able to see well either. Good eyes are able to perceive the truth. Another aspect of having good eyes means that they are focused on good things as well. When we have good eyes we are looking for the right things in the right places. We are also able to recognize the difference.

However, bad eyes do not see and do not perceive good from evil. They allow negativity and wickedness to enter and that affects our hearts and minds as well. Bad eyes refuse to see the truth and are not able to see the pitfalls in front of us. When we use our eyes to intentionally look at things we shouldn’t then we are allowing ourselves to be polluted. Instead of focusing on the light and allowing it to permeate our beings, we dwell in the darkness and are blind.

It only takes a little bit of light to drive out darkness. One match can illumiate a pitch black room. If we have good eyes we are seeking the light and walking in it. Our lives will reflect that light and then we can shine before others. On the other hand, we can refuse to see the light or worse; we can extinguish it and continue to live in darkness. It is decision that each and every one of us must make. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live as children of the light (Ephesians 5:8). We must do the same.

Grace and peace.