As I was having a conversation this morning, an interesting concept struck me. In Ephesians 6, Paul speaks about the various pieces of armor that are critical to wear. One of those pieces is the helmet of salvation. The helmet, as we all know, is designed to protect your head, and to keep soldiers from being “de-brained.” In the spiritual sense, your mind is an important thing – thinking about what you do and why is so important. We can’t afford to be passive in times like these. But I also find it interesting that the way into the mind – mainly the eyes – remained largely unprotected when Paul wrote of this. In fact, I believe, if Goliath had been wearing a helmet, which it is assumed he was as was the tradition of the day, his forehead would still have been exposed. That being said, isn’t it amazing that he was struck between the eyes – the eye gate – the vulnerable spot. So I began to ponder this train of thought. Isn’t it interesting that a huge reason we so often fall is because of what we allow unchecked into our eye gate… and thus, straight into our minds. I propose a new piece of armor… the eyeshield of discernment (safety goggles anyone?) based on these verses. I am sure there are more, but this is a start.
Matthew 18:9 [And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better to enter heaven half blind than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.]
Psalm 119:37 [Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.]
Proverbs 23:26 [O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom.]
Psalm 101:3 [I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them.]
Agreed. What we look at AND what we listen to forms who we are. Yep!!! How can you have the mind of Christ when you’re filling it full of things that are contrary to Christ, ya know??? I like Ps. 119:37….So…when our focus is on worthless things we aren’t as able to receive the life that His word has to offer….Wouldn’t you agree??? Hmmmmm And worthless includes more than things that are desperately wicked……..
Also some good verses
Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman”
Job 31:9 “If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor’s wife, 10 then may my wife belong to another man; may other men sleep with her. 11 For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. 12 It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.
What you have said is excellent encourgement Josh. I, lately, have been reconstructing the old habits of my earthly eyes. I’m finding through these verses that Job had it down, and he was serious about it. God found Job worthy of testing and I think we could all heed the wisdom found in this book. Job had no comprimise and he lived a life of obediance. Good stuff Josh!!
Okay…so….when r u teachin?? You are a teacher. We need your teaching…No more holding out on us……nough said!!!!