Have you ever played the children’s game I Spy with My Little Eye? Then, you know how to play. You glance around to find an object to participate in the game.
What we look at, what we focus on, becomes imprinted as snapshots within us.
Unfortunately, in real life, we sometimes play the game but allow our eyes to spy on things we shouldn’t. We end up with naughty eyes.
We view things on the television, in movies, magazines, or on internet sites. Or our little eyes wander into other harmful things like pride or greed. Or maybe our eyes turn green with envy.
Solomon spied everything and denied himself nothing, not homes, herds, gardens, slaves, and especially not women, and said so, “Whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any pleasure.” (Eccl. 2:10 Amp)
David spied on Bathsheba and we all know the consequences that followed.
Looking too often at the wrong things, our eyes become bad, as diseased with impurities, which over time increase, blinding our view of the Lord.
We should do as blind Bartimaeus did when Jesus commanded that he to be called to Him. Upon hearing that Jesus called him, “Bartimaeus yanked off his old coat and flung it aside, jumped up and came to Jesus.” (Mark 10:50 TLB) By faith, he threw off his garment of dirt and darkness and exchanged it for a garment of purity and light!
Though God fills us with His holiness through Christ’s salvation, the upkeep of holiness depends solely upon us. It is absolutely necessary, as Paul persuades, that we “Pursue…a godly life,” (1 Tim. 6:11a NLT) for “God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” (1 Thess. 4:7 NKJV)…The purity of holiness is not an option, for without it, we will not see the Lord, as the writer of Hebrews tells us, “Seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 TLB)
By what are you blinded? What causes your eyes to wander around and go bad, to be diseased? The etymology for the word disease is this: dis- means a negative or reverse force; apart, without, a different direction. Ease means freedom from labor, pain, or physical annoyance; tranquil rest, comfort; freedom from concern, anxiety, or solicitude; a quiet state of mind.
Dis-ease is then a lack of ease, a lack of comfort, pleasure, or well-being. Therefore, do as Bartimaeus did: cast off your garb of dirt and darkness. “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 13:14a NLT) Your garment of purity and Light!
So, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” (Mark 10:49b CEB) The Lord is calling you, and me, to a life of purity and Light!
My prayer, and I hope yours as well…
Hooking up with…
Jennifer Dukes Lee
Holley Gerth
Carissa Shaw
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