READ:
GENESIS 3:1-7
The eyes
are the windows of the body through which man is exposed to his surrounding.
Whatever you see, registers in your mind and triggers a series of internal
ruminations. How you handle what comes in is very crucial. Beyond the physical
eye, there is the internal 'eye gate' that serves as a filter. It constitutes a
kind of checkpoint to sieve, select or filter what should really go into your
mind out of all you see. Hence it is possible to see something with your
physical eyes but close off your internal eyes from receiving it.
Watch what you see! From our reading, Eve's discussion with the serpent did not have its desired effect until she took a second and careful look at the forbidden fruit. Then she started to have strange ideas. It is after you see something that certain thoughts begin to flood your mind. If you do not tread carefully, such thoughts can lead you to sin. David was whiling away his time in leisure instead of joining others at the battlefield, and one day he saw Bathsheba bathing. Because he did not shut his internal 'eye gate', he fell into lust, adultery, deception and murder. Jesus, on the other hand, was taken to a high pinnacle from which Satan showed him the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He saw these physically, but because his internal 'eye gate' was shut, he did not succumb to Satan's request.
You may have little control over your physical eyes. You may see certain immoral and evil practice with them. Yet, if you man your internal 'eye gate' properly, little or nothing will go in (Matthew 5:28). Take control of what comes into your mind today. Be like Job and make a covenant not to lust after any woman (Job 31:1). Also resolve not to set your eyes on anything that can lead into sin, eg pornography (Psalm 101:3).
Besides this, avoid going to places where you can easily be tempted to return to your old habits, likes houses or offices of past boy- or girlfriends; pictures capable of reminding you of past escapades; brothels, or even watching immoral scenes on TV.
Build up your spirit man by regularly studying and digesting the word of God. This will help implant good yardstick at your internal 'eye gate' and help to fortify your resistance to sin.
Watch what you see! From our reading, Eve's discussion with the serpent did not have its desired effect until she took a second and careful look at the forbidden fruit. Then she started to have strange ideas. It is after you see something that certain thoughts begin to flood your mind. If you do not tread carefully, such thoughts can lead you to sin. David was whiling away his time in leisure instead of joining others at the battlefield, and one day he saw Bathsheba bathing. Because he did not shut his internal 'eye gate', he fell into lust, adultery, deception and murder. Jesus, on the other hand, was taken to a high pinnacle from which Satan showed him the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He saw these physically, but because his internal 'eye gate' was shut, he did not succumb to Satan's request.
You may have little control over your physical eyes. You may see certain immoral and evil practice with them. Yet, if you man your internal 'eye gate' properly, little or nothing will go in (Matthew 5:28). Take control of what comes into your mind today. Be like Job and make a covenant not to lust after any woman (Job 31:1). Also resolve not to set your eyes on anything that can lead into sin, eg pornography (Psalm 101:3).
Besides this, avoid going to places where you can easily be tempted to return to your old habits, likes houses or offices of past boy- or girlfriends; pictures capable of reminding you of past escapades; brothels, or even watching immoral scenes on TV.
Build up your spirit man by regularly studying and digesting the word of God. This will help implant good yardstick at your internal 'eye gate' and help to fortify your resistance to sin.
MEMORIZE:
JOB 31:1 -I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I llok upon a young
woman?
