“What the eyes cannot see,” says an old Dutch proverb, “the heart cannot crave.” And the Italians seem to agree with one of their own: “If the eyes do not admire, the heart will not desire.”
But long before them David had his own proverb that addressed the same issue: “I will set before my eyes no vile thing.”
Our eyes are the gateway to our hearts, souls and minds. It is what we see, day after day, that shapes our thoughts and values and - ultimately our behavior. What we see we desire and what we desire is what drives us in one direction or another. Our vision triggers our thoughts and our thoughts our behavior. Here’s an example:
When Jericho was destroyed no one was to take any of the spoils. But Achan disobeyed the order; he stole a beautiful garment, a bag silver and a bar of gold. This was unfortunate because disaster visited Israel as a result of his greed and thirty-six were left dead on the battlefield. Joshua was alarmed and decided to search the tents of his soldiers. He found the “accursed thing” in Achan’s tent.
In making his confession before being stoned to death and being buried in a criminal’s grave Achan said, “I saw...I coveted...I took...and I hid.”
And that’s the path to sin: First we look. Then we desire. Then we decide. Then we sin. Then we try to find an excuse. Then we lie. Then we try to hide our wrongdoing. But it’s too late. The consequences will come.
It all begins with a simple glance.
Prayer: Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes upon You and away from the “things” that would defeat and destroy us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
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