Good Eyesight Spiritually

Illus: Because our eyesight is so crucial to us, He created the eye so it can be protected.

For example:

• God placed our eyes lower than our forehead so our eyes can be protected by our forehead.

• God gave us eyebrows for the purpose to help keep moisture, such as sweat and rain, out of our eyes. The arch shape of the eyebrows directs moisture away from the eyes,

• God gave us eye lids primarily for the purpose of the eyelids to protet the eyes from external dangers, such as dust, debris, and harmful light. They also help to keep the eyes moist by spreading tears and other secretions over the eye's surface. The eyelashes, which grow from the eyelid serve to further protect the eyes from dust and debris.

I mention these things because God has a concern for protecting the eyes PYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.

God has done everything he can to protect our eyes but we also have a responsibility to protect them.

Illus: Did you hear about the fellow that went to the store the other day, and he said that he was there for only about 5 minutes.

When he came out, he SAW there was a motorcycle policeman writing a parking ticket.

• He went up to him and said, "Come on, buddy, how about giving a fellow a break?" He ignored him and continued writing the ticket.

• So he called him a pencil-necked Nazi. He glared at him and started writing another ticket for having worn tires on the car!

• So he told him he was an idiot. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first.

• Then he started writing a third ticket! This went on for about 20 minutes.

• The man said, “I discovered the more I abused the policemen with insult after insult, the more tickets he wrote.”

• He said, “But I didn't care. My car was parked around the corner. I try to have a little fun each day!”

The next time you SEE a policeman writing a ticket, I would not suggest you do the same as he did.

In this short passage of scripture, Jesus used the image of eyes to convey an important spiritual principle.

First, we need to consider…

I. THE PROBLEM OF BAD EYESIGHT

Did you know that bad eyesight in the Scriptures is often used as a metaphor for stupidity?

We see that clearly in the Scriptures, such as in:

• Matthew 15:14, we read, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” This verse of Scripture certainly implies stupidity.

• 2 Peter 1:9, we read, “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” This verse of Scripture implies stupidity.

• Revelation 3:17, we read, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” This verse of Scripture also implies stupidity.

These scriptures make it clear that spiritually bad eyesight can represent stupidity.

Let me explain…

Illus: If a fellow believes there is a hell and he will not come to Christ to escape a burning hell certainly cannot be classified a very smart person.

You see the eye is the window of the heart, mind, and "inner being" of a person.

And if a person can not see clearly where they are walking, they are headed for some trouble.

Illus: Have you ever tried to look though a dirty window?

Just a small amount of dirt can affect our vision, but a lot of dirt on the window can cause our eyesight to be diminish so much we can not see anything.

This is the problem with many professing Christians:

• Because of sin in their life, they can not see their need to faithfully attend church.

• Because of sin in their life, they can not see their need to support God’s work with His tithes.

• Because of sin in their life, they can not see their need to make Christ Lord of their life.

SIN HAS BECOME THE DOMINANT THING IN THEIR LIFE!!!

We follow the eye wherever it leads us.

We have looked at THE PROBLEM OF BAD EYE SIGHT, but also let’s look at-

II. THE REMEDY FOR BAD EYESIGHT

When it comes to physical eyesight, there are some things they can do to improve bad eyesight.

In many cases now, you can have eye surgery, and the things that caused the blindness can be remedied.

Illus: The wife of Dr. Larry Wegner, who has gone to be with the Lord, had bad eye sight for many years. She wore thick glasses, and it became a way of life for her to go around each day stumbling over things because she could not see.