The Eyes as the Light of the Body

Devotion Notes (Series)

Date: 07/20/2023

Opening Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with grateful hearts for the gift of sight. We thank you for the marvelous creation of our eyes, which enable us to see and experience the beauty of your creation. As we delve into the topic of the eyes as the light of the body, we ask for your guidance and wisdom to enlighten our hearts and minds. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Introduction:

Last week, we discussed the importance of joy in our lives and how it affects our well-being. Today, we will explore the connection between joy and the eyes as the light of the body. Our eyes play a vital role in how we perceive the world around us and how we navigate through life. They are not only physical organs but also gateways to our minds and hearts. Let us dive deeper into this topic and discover the spiritual significance of our eyes.

Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 15:30 — “Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news puts fat on the bones.”

Luke 11:34 — “The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.”

Matthew 6:22–23 — “The eye is the lamp of the body; so, then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

Matthew 13:16 — “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”

The Significance of the Eyes:

The eyes are the human body’s camera. The eyes are one of God’s greatest creations and gifts to humanity. Our eyes are more than just organs of vision. They are windows through which light enters our bodies, both physically and spiritually. Just as a lamp illuminates a room, our eyes have the power to bring light or darkness into our lives.

i. Sensing and Selecting:

Our eyes enable us to sense and select the information we consume. We live in a world filled with visual stimuli, and what we choose to focus on matters. We must be intentional in guarding our eyes, ensuring that what we see aligns with God’s truth and promotes joy, love, and righteousness.

ii. Perception and Perspective:

Our eyes provide us with perception and perspective. They help us see beyond the surface, allowing us to discern the world around us. With clear vision, we can perceive the goodness of God in all things and gain a deeper understanding of His plans and purposes. The eyes also observes and aids discernment.

iii. Recording Memories:

Our eyes are like cameras that capture and store memories. They allow us to recall past experiences and encounters. The memories we create through our sight shape our perception of life and influence how we respond to future situations. Let us use this gift of sight to focus on the beauty and goodness in the world, storing joyful memories in our hearts.

iv. Guiding the Day:

Just as the rising sun brings light to a new day, our eyes guide us through each day. They help us navigate our physical movements and provide us with opportunities to appreciate the wonders of creation. Through our eyes, we witness God’s glory in the beauty of nature, the smiles of loved ones, and the acts of kindness around us. The eyes aids us into vision.

Practical Applications:

Now that we understand the significance of our eyes, let us consider some practical applications to ensure that our eyes bring light and joy into our lives:

i. Be mindful of what you see:

Guard your eyes against negative influences and choose wisely what you watch, read, and browse on the internet. Seek out uplifting and edifying content that aligns with God’s truth and promotes joy, love, and righteousness.

ii. Surround yourself with positive reports and news:

Focus on the good news and reports that gladden your heart. Limit your exposure to platforms that predominantly share negative news, as they can weigh down your spirit and dim the light within you. See what makes you happy and puts joy in your heart.

iii. Choose wholesome entertainment:

Select movies, books, and other forms of entertainment that uplift your spirit and align with godly values. Engage in activities that bring joy and inspiration, such as watching uplifting movies, enjoying sports and games, reading encouraging books, or exploring the wonders of God’s creation through documentaries.

iv. Make time for rest and reflection:

In the busy-ness of life, it’s crucial to carve out moments for rest and reflection. Take breaks to be alone with God or spend quality time with your family and friends in places where you can experience something new or different. Visit parks, zoos, gardens, or simply go for walks to appreciate the beauty around you and allow your soul to be refreshed.

Extra notes:

(1) The eyes are also associated with the phenomenon called Time. What a person sees during a day or night determines how much he/she spent his/her time in a particular day or night. Sleep and rest are good but do not oversleep. Sport games and movies are all good to watch but discipline yourself, use your eyes and time wisely. Diversify the usage of time. Plan intentionally to see the good things God has created and positioned around you. Our perception and approach to life can be determined by our memory and the capacity to sense and see. What are seeing daily? Who do you look up to? Seeing is believing.

(2) Special Prayer of thanks:

• Thank God for the gift of Eyesight and the ability to see.
• Thank God for the people born with visual impairment and low vision. I pray God continues to come to their aid and support.
• Thank God for those who have found sight and can see. Thank God for the miracles.
• Thank God for the medical professional and eye clinics who help and offer free and paid eye examinations and aiding tools like glasses, braille-enabled materials, etc.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of sight and the understanding that our eyes are the light of our bodies. Help us to be mindful of what we see, to perceive the world through your perspective, and to let our eyes bring light and joy into our lives. Guide us to make wise choices in what we watch, read, and engage with, so that our hearts may be filled with your truth, love, and righteousness. May the light within us shine brightly, illuminating the lives of others and glorifying your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

May you walk in the light of God’s truth and experience the joy that comes from keeping your eyes fixed on Him. God bless you!