In our daily meditations, we are examining what Jesus taught in His famous Sermon on the Mount. The Lord now turns His attention to how to guard your heart, focusing on what you give your eyes to—how you view life in this present evil world system. Do you look at life with a view to eternity, or are you confirmed in your belief that there is no life beyond the grave? The worldview you hold shapes your life. Are you the master of your life, or is God the One seated on the throne of your life? Here’s how Jesus put it:
Meaning of "The Eye is the Lamp of the Body" (Matthew 6:22-24)
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:22-24).
How a Biblical Worldview Cleans the Windows of the Soul
When I left commercial fishing to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, I started a window-cleaning business to provide for my family. It gave me the freedom to manage my time for church planting. People would see me cleaning the windows of their next-door neighbor and ask me to do theirs as well. They were surprised at how much light came into their homes once their windows were cleaned. The eyes are the windows of the soul, the instrument that regulates light into the inner man. Some people refuse to open their window blinds. They like the darkness and control how much Biblical light they allow, sometimes even refusing to hear anything that will challenge their worldview. Let the light in, and the whole body will have light. Our windows can become distorted by what we see through them. In the time of Jesus, all kinds of prejudices against the Samaritans and the Gentiles distorted the way Jews viewed people. We can also let all sorts of prejudices fog up the windows of our view of people. Other examples of unhealthy eyes are jealousy of others and self-conceit, thinking of ourselves as more important than others.
Recognizing the Signs of Spiritual Darkness
The amount of light or darkness we allow into our souls is often one of the first areas the evil one attacks. The enemy prompts thoughts that lead us to view things that are unhealthy for our souls, and should set off alarm bells in our hearts if we are awake to spiritual things. The attack is different for each of us. What gets a second look for one does not affect another. For instance, I do not take a second look at what shoes a person wears, but obviously, Imelda Marcos valued such things highly (see yesterday’s meditation). The temptation often starts with small things, gradually and incrementally, growing in darkness until the window shutters are down, and it becomes dark inside the house.
When we refuse to let the light shine into our hearts, our eyes become darkened, as do our hearts. Jesus said, “But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (v. 23).
Guarding the Eye Gate: Resisting the Evil Around Us
Can evil be perceived in a person's eyes? While we generally avoid judging others based on appearance, some believe that evil can be sensed spiritually. Interviewers who have spoken with murderers or serial killers often remark on the cold, blank look in their eyes. They sometimes report chills or a sense of cold during these encounters. But where does this feeling originate? It serves as a powerful testimony that evil is real. Dear fellow believers in Christ, guard the eye gate of your soul. Be mindful of what you observe and allow into your inner being. May you be filled with light, resisting the darkness of the world.
Practical Application: How to Guard Your Eye Gate Daily
Understanding this scripture is one thing, but how do we practically keep our spiritual windows clean? Here are three ways to apply Jesus' words to your life today:
· Audit Your "Screen Time" and Visual Intake: Look back at what you watched, scrolled through, or read over the last 48 hours. Did those images fill you with peace, faith, and love (Light)? Or did they leave you feeling anxious, envious, or lustful (Darkness)? Be intentional about turning off media that fogs your spiritual vision.
· Check Your Lens for Prejudice and Jealousy: Just as a dirty window distorts the view of the outside world, a heart harboring jealousy or prejudice distorts how we view other people. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any "smudges" of resentment or self-conceit in your heart today and ask Him to clean them away.
· Set an Alarm for Reflection: The enemy works in small, incremental steps to pull down our window shutters. Build a habit of pausing midway through your day to ask yourself a simple question: "Is God my master right now, or am I serving something else (like money, comfort, or validation)?" Align your focus back to eternity. Keith Thomas
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This meditation is adapted from the complete study: 5. Storing Up Treasure in Heaven