Shining Lights

Your eye is the lamp of your body. Luke 11:34

Many commentators see a Hebrew idiom in this verse: "a good eye" refers to generosity and "a bad eye" refers to stinginess. Others broaden the image to include truth and purity on the positive side, covetousness and lust on the negative. No matter how one takes the symbolism, Jesus is clear: What our eyes see -what we strive for and what we take in - is important. The conduct of your eyes, literally and figuratively, with regard to money and other human passions, determines to a large degree the amount of light we receive from God.
Just as light allows us to see into once-dark places, our eyes allow us to understand who we really are in the depths of our souls. If your eyes take in the true light that comes from God- His Word and the glory of His gospel in Christ - we see well. There is clarity and wisdom that can only come from seeing things as God sees them. But if our eyes consume garbage-the cravings of sinful man and the pride of sel-indulgence-then we see ourselves in the dark, obscurely and distortedly, if at all. What we choose to see has a lot to dow ith whether we are walking in God's light and whether we are shining His light for others to see.
Joyful generosity is a clear indication that one is walking in the light. So are purity and God-directed desires. Stinginess, self-indulgence, and impure vision are likewise clear indications that one is NOT walking in the light. And all of these are cultivated by what we choose--and refuse--to see.
With what do you feed your soul? Can you set it on a stand for others to see? One of a Christian's greatest struggles is trying to see it all-we become confused and divided. Do we gaze on light, darkness, or both? If you really want to know, do an inventory of things that fill your eyes, metaphorically speaking. Is your vision occupied with money? lustfulness? selfish extravagance? If so, be careful for what you see. Purify you sight, and let your light shine.

William Secker said, "The body has two eyes, but the soul must have but one."