Topical Bible: The Eye: A Guard to be Set On

◄ The Eye: A Guard to be Set On ►

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The eye, as a physical organ, serves as the primary gateway through which visual information enters the human mind. In the biblical context, the eye is often used metaphorically to represent perception, understanding, and moral discernment. Scripture frequently emphasizes the importance of guarding the eye, as it can influence one's spiritual and moral condition.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The eye is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of insight and moral clarity. In Matthew 6:22-23 , Jesus teaches, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Here, the eye symbolizes the conduit through which spiritual light or darkness enters a person, affecting their entire being.

In Proverbs 4:25 , the importance of focus and direction is highlighted: "Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead." This verse underscores the necessity of maintaining a steadfast and righteous focus, avoiding distractions that lead to moral compromise.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The eye's role as a moral and spiritual gatekeeper is further emphasized in Job 31:1 , where Job declares, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?" This covenant signifies a deliberate commitment to purity and self-control, recognizing the potential for the eyes to lead one into temptation and sin.

Psalm 101:3 reinforces this idea: "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." The psalmist's resolve to avoid worthless or sinful sights reflects an understanding of the eye's influence on the heart and mind.

Guarding the Eye in Practice

The biblical exhortation to guard the eye involves both proactive and reactive measures. Proverbs 23:31-33 warns against the allure of wine, illustrating the broader principle of avoiding visual temptations that can lead to destructive behavior: "Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perversities."

In the New Testament, 1 John 2:16 identifies "the lust of the eyes" as one of the worldly desires that can lead believers astray. This highlights the need for vigilance and discernment in what one allows to capture their visual attention.

The Eye and Divine Insight

Beyond its role in moral vigilance, the eye is also associated with divine insight and revelation. In Ephesians 1:18 , Paul prays for the believers: "I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." Here, the "eyes of the heart" symbolize spiritual understanding and the ability to perceive God's truth and promises.

The eye, therefore, serves as both a physical and spiritual organ, requiring careful stewardship to ensure that it remains a source of light and not darkness. Through intentional focus, self-discipline, and reliance on divine guidance, believers are called to guard their eyes, thereby safeguarding their hearts and minds in their walk with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 31:1
I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think on a maid?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 23:31
Look not you on the wine when it is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moves itself aright.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Set at Liberty.
... Set at Liberty. ... against impure atmosphere and contagion"how much more should you
guard against the ... which appeal so strongly to the lust of the eye, the lust ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

Chapter i.
... of being seen by them, ie should fix our eye on this ... and make it the end of what
we have set before us ... else but that we ought to be on our guard against seeking ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter i 2.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... But by regeneration the disordered soul is set right; this great ... if a small dust
get into the eye it will ... are, in some cases, very useful to guard the heart ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... Pluck out your right eye, and cut off your right hand, sooner than that ... to which
the people were exposed, he took measures to guard against it ... "I set the people ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the two guards praying and.htm

Sermon for St. Peter's Day
... but considereth not the beam that is in thine own eye?". ... would be much the more ready
to set themselves to ... they should ever be on their guard, for gentleness ...
/.../xxvi sermon for st peters.htm

On the Feast of St Timothy, or the Memorial of St Peter
... but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?". ... would be much the more ready
to set themselves to ... they should ever be on their guard; for gentleness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xii on the feast.htm

The Sixth Season
... 2. Having composed your heart by previous meditation, immediately set a guard upon
your senses. ... of spirit in the work of God which locks up the eye and ear ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

St. Ambrose Explains that the Flesh Given to Satan for Destruction ...
... The bodily eye sees, but let the eye of the heart be ... She set the snares of her lips,
but was not able to ... Let us be on our guard against abundance of this wine ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv st ambrose explains.htm

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
... the eye of one sentinel reached to the eye of another ... men-at-arms came forth from
the guard-room, and ... It is written, "I have set watchmen." We are under divine ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a call to prayer and.htm

Preface.
... by some), unless it come under the eye of one ... has enjoined [2659] us to be on our
guard), and because ... my ability, with brevity and clearness to set forth the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/preface.htm