Dr. Dan Coflin
I just returned from the eye clinic, and after having my eyes evaluated, I discovered that my eyeglasses were not working as well as they should and some corrections were needed. We all know how important it is to keep our eyes healthy. We get yearly check-ups and have our eyes tested to determine whether or not we need to make some adjustments because our vison is important. But what about our spiritual vision?
The Bible has a lot to say about our eyes and vision. Jesus said, “The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness.” (Mt. 6:22-23 NCV)
The sight or vision that Jesus speaks of in this verse is not really about our physical eyes or eyesight. Comparing a diseased or blind eye to a healthy eye equates to seeing things from a perspective of good or evil. Spiritual sight has to do with how you see things and people and God. The Bible equates light to revelation (“…whatsoever makes manifest is light” Eph. 5:13) and darkness to that which is wicked, empty, fruitless, and filled with death, destruction and misery as the earth is described in Genesis 1:2. Who determines what is light and what is darkness? God does.
The sin of the first man, Adam, was, of course, his disobedience to God, which was eating of the forbidden fruit, but what was that fruit? It was the knowledge of good and evil. In other words, Adam was deciding for himself what was good and what was evil instead of believing what God said was good or evil. One of the great sins of Israel was calling “…evil good, and good evil… darkness for light, and light for darkness…” (Isaiah 5:20).
Instead of agreeing with God and living according to his design, man wants to make up his own rules and live independently of God. This prideful assault against God puts man in a position of being superior: “I know better than God.”
Spiritual darkness is not just the absence of light (the revelation of God), but it is having a false revelation (believing that darkness is really light). “…Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
When we receive the revelation that Jesus is our Savior and we humble ourselves before him and ask him to forgive us and be the Lord over our lives, something remarkable happens. The apostle Paul says it like this, “…giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:12-13 NKJV)
When we come to Jesus, we suddenly see things differently. We are not blinded by darkness, but we have the opportunity to “walk in the light as he is in the light.” (1 John 1:7) The word of God gives us light (revelation) of the will and way of God. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105) and “The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Ps. 119:130)
If I allow the word of God to be the final authority in my life instead of my own opinions, then I will be walking in the light of God’s will. The wonderful thing about God’s will is that it is always good. God loves us and has uniquely designed a destiny for each one of us to fulfill. “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
If I will trust God above my own reasonings, conclusions, opinions, and preferences because I know he loves me and has gifted me and positioned me to accomplish his will, then I will not have my eyesight compromised. I may experience setbacks and troubles, but I won’t blame God for darkness he has nothing to do with. I know he weeps with me when I am hurt or disappointed, but if I put my trust in him, he will empower me to overcome every obstacle as I keep my eyes upon him.
So, my question for all of us is this: “How is your vision?” Are you seeing things clearly or has your sight become a little blurry? Let us make whatever corrections are necessary so that we are seeing things God’s way.