The Principle Of Vision
As a Christian begins to discover their spiritual gifts and abilities, they must also learn what Biblical standards God sets forth in the Scripture for them to adhere to in order to effectively carry out their purpose in the church. One such standard is the Principle of Vision. Every Christian leader, young and old, lives by this standard whether they comprehend it or not. This issue is not so much that of familiarity as it is practice. In this post we want to examine this principle and seek to make better use of this Biblical standard in our lives.
The Eye Affects The Heart…
Jeremiah used the phrase, “mine eye” five times in the book of Lamentations to express what was on the inside as a result of what he saw around him. In verse fifty-one he expresses a great Bible truth that cannot be overlooked. He says, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.” Known as the “weeping prophet”, Jeremiah is simply saying to each of us that his heart was affected by what he saw. Watching, first hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, God’s man was burdened.
What burdens you and I? Things that go on AROUND us have an impact ON us. We cannot escape this truth! Like the aged prophet, you and I, who know Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour, are affected by what we see. From a physical standpoint, every human being has five senses: Sight, Sound, Taste, Touch, and Smell. Our brains take in all of the data from the sensory points in our bodies and processes it in an instant. We make decisions of all varieties from these basic senses which God has given to us. Just as that takes place in the physical realm, The Holy Spirit of God directs our steps in the spiritual realm. This is accomplished when we submit to His leadership in connection with what we perceive from what we see. Upon this basis, for example, we may determine to witness to someone that we have noticed by the prompting of God’s Spirit.
“Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes What You See…”
In order to be used of God effectively while utilizing our spiritual gifts, we must be careful as to WHAT we see. The eye directly affects our thinking and our thinking directly affects our actions. There are some things which we SHOULD see, some things which we SHOULD NOT see, and some things which we should see the NOBODY else sees.
Some God-Given Uses Of Our Sight…
Did you know that God is the best Optometrist… ever? He is the Creator of vision and gave us this great ability for many reasons. For sure, one reason is that we might see what He has created in order to see God! You can learn a lot about the Creator from His Creation. When thinking about God’s handy-work, we see ourselves as a very insignificant spec in His expansive domain.
Man was created with two eyes, so that with one he may see God’s greatness, and with the other his own lowliness. – Samuel Y. Agnon
I also believe that God has given us eyesight that we might be able to read His Word and come to understand Him more. It is His love letter to mankind and should be adored like no other possession. When was the last time you read God’s Word?
God gave man a pair of eyes that we might be able to see His servants, the folks whom we should help and the duties we should be employed in. Have you thought about how life would be much different without our sight?
Common Sins Of Our Eyes…
- Proud & Lofty Eyes
- Scornful Eyes
- Lustful Eyes
- Greedy Eyes
- Gluttonous Eyes
- Drunken Eyes
- Wandering Eyes
- Envious Eyes
- Cruel Eyes
- Materialistic Eyes
- Malignant Eyes
- Hypocritical Eyes
Maxims For Remembrance Concerning Our Eyes…
- Our Eye Must Be Kept Under constant Guard! (2 Corinthians 5:7 – Ecclesiastes 11:9)
- Our Eyes Must Be Governed! – Consider David and Bathsheba.
- Our Eyes Can Honor Or Dishonor Us! – What is closest to us is often seen by others as they observe the things we gaze upon.
- Our Eyes Are Subject To Our Will More Our Other Senses! – We cannot help but hear, smell, taste and feel. Sometimes we cannot help what we see, but we do not have to keep on looking.
- Like Job, We Should Make A Covenant With Our Eyes! (Job 31:1)
- One Cannot Rule His/Her Thoughts Without Ruling Their Eyes! – (Psalm 101:3)
- Our Eyes Should Be Busy In The RIGHT Things! – “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop”… and our eyes are one of the doorways of choice.
- We Should Beg God For Help With Our Eyes… DAILY! (Psalm 119:18, Psalm 119:37, Psalm 119:148)
Conclusion…
As a servant of the Lord, do your best to govern what you see, respond in Christian character to what you have seen, and endeavor to look ahead to navigate God’s pathway for your life’s purpose. Continually striving to employ the Biblical principle of vision in your life will affect those in your circle of influence. God gave us two eyes… may we utilize them in a profitable, God-honoring way!
*******************************
Note: Certainly there has been something in this post that has helped you in your pathway of duty and service. If so, please pass along and helpful comments and share with your friends!
