TEXT: Psalm 121:1-2; Matthew 14:22-33; Luke 11:34-36
The Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. One of the most striking examples of this statement is the human eye. It is mentioned at least 534 times in Scripture. Our eyes were created to adapt to extreme sunlight or near darkness. In the dark, their sensitivity increases 10,000 times so that one can detect a faint glow, less than a thousandth as bright as a candle’s glow. God gave us color vision superior to most animals’. Each retina contains about 130 million cells which connect with the brain to provide instantaneous response. It has been estimated that from the vast panorama presented by our eyes, each eye can send a billion impulses per second to the brain—then our mind chooses significant details. We can stare at a sign without becoming aware of its message, while on the other hand, a fragmentary glimpse of some familiar object attracts our attention immediately.
QUESTIONS
- In considering the wonders of this organ of our bodies, we value our eyes highly and care for them. But Jesus said we would be better off to go into eternity without one of them if it should cause us to sin. What conclusions can we draw from Christ’s teaching in Matthew 5:29?
- Scriptures relate several instances in which people were affected by what their eyes did or did not see. In the following examples, fill in the situation described in the text given and tell what we learn from each of these instances.
Joshua 5:13 — Joshua
2 Samuel 11:2 — David
2 Kings 2:10-12 — Elisha
2 Kings 6:17 — Elisha’s servant
Matthew 14:30 — Peter
Acts 22:6 — Saul - List some of the things which might be classified as tools of the devil and describe how they could be used to allow evil to enter into the mind through the eye.
- List some things that our eyes can look upon which could be classified as being spiritually beneficial.
- One of the best ways to keep our eyes from focusing on the wrong thing is to have our spiritual eyes single toward Christ. Read Luke 11:34. To illustrate the meaning of the word single, place two dots on your paper. Suppose that one dot represents Christ and one yourself. What conclusions can you draw regarding the relationship between the two points?
- What do you think verse 35 of our text in Luke implies? You may use 1 John 1:6-7 as a supporting reference for your answer.
- What are some of the things we are promised if we use our eyes to look on the right things?
Psalm 121:1
Isaiah 33:15-17
James 1:25 - Consider the differences between the physically blind and the spiritually blind. Which would be the greater handicap, and why?
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