How are your eyes? The average American gets an eye exam every 2 years. Most people would probably say their eyesight is the most valuable of their senses. We have all kinds of techniques today that are able to improve our vision. But how recently have you checked your spiritual eyesight? Jesus says that just because we can see physically, it does not mean we are able to see. In Matthew 13:15 He quotes the prophet Isaiah saying, "their eyes have closed." He says His disciples were blessed because they saw with their eyes and heard with their ears in verse 16. Jesus will call us blessed as well if we use our spiritual eyesight to discern His teachings. What are some spiritual eye problems we see in the Bible?
Some people in the Bible had eyes which were spiritually blind. Jesus condemns the Pharisees in Matthew 15:14 saying that they were "blind leaders of the blind." By their decision to reject Jesus' teachings and abide under the Old Law and their own traditions, they became hypocrites, leading those astray who follow them. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Paul says there were some in the church whose unbelief had blinded them. By turning to another "god of this age", they had veiled the gospel to themselves. We become spiritually blind by turning to our own ways and rejecting the light of the gospel which could give us sight. In John 1:9, we see Jesus described as the "true light" and He "came to His own, and His own, did not receive Him." in verse 11. The Jews of that time, who had been waiting hundreds of years for their Messiah, were spiritually blind and unable to recognize the Son of God in their presence.
There are also some in the Bible whose eyes were spiritually out of focus. In 2 Corinthians 4:18 we see Paul's encouraging words not to lose hope due to their physical sufferings. He says, "we do not look at the things which are seen..." but, our eyes must be fixed upon the unseen. The trials we deal with in our physical state can be discouraging, but they cannot be allowed to let us take our eyes off the prize of Heaven. The things we see and endure physically in this life are temporary. "We have a building from God" as 2 Corinthians 5:1 reveals, showing that this body is not our permanent residence. There is something far better ahead if we keep our eyes spiritually in check.
We also see some folks whose eyes were shortsighted. In 2 Peter 1:9, we see that the one who fails to grow spiritually is shortsighted. Peter lists off ways that we need to be growing as Christians. If we are not remembering our sins are forgiven, and what a wonderful blessing that is, we are shortsighted and are not going to Heaven.
When we are not looking spiritually, we'll miss out on opportunities. Jesus describes the harvest time in John 4:35. Those who are not looking for opportunities spiritually are those who say "there are still four months and then comes the harvest." Jesus says we need to be like those who lift up their spiritual eyes and look for spiritual opportunities.
Our eyes are very important and make the majority of our lives easier. The same is true for our spiritual eyes. If we are facing eye problems spiritually, they cannot be cured by corrective lenses. Look to Jesus to cure spiritual blindness. Focus on Heaven to bring our eyes into focus. Continue to grow spiritually to not be shortsighted. Let us apply these to our lives so we can have healthy eyes.
- parkviewcoc.org