Topical Bible: The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Directing

◄ The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Directing ►

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The eye, as a physical organ and a metaphorical symbol, holds significant importance in Scripture. It is often associated with perception, understanding, and moral direction. The actions of the eye, particularly in the context of directing, are frequently mentioned in the Bible, illustrating both the physical act of seeing and the spiritual implications of where one chooses to direct their gaze.

Directing the Eye in Scripture

1. Guidance and Focus: The eye is often depicted as a tool for guidance, both physically and spiritually. In Psalm 32:8, the Lord promises, "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you with My eye." Here, God's eye symbolizes His attentive guidance and the direction He provides to His followers.

2. Moral and Spiritual Direction: The direction of one's gaze is frequently used as a metaphor for moral and spiritual focus. 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." This passage underscores the importance of directing one's eyes towards righteousness and purity, as the condition of the eye reflects the state of the soul.

3. Temptation and Sin: The Bible also warns of the dangers associated with directing one's eyes towards sinful desires. In 2 Samuel 11:2, King David's gaze leads to sin: "One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful." David's directed gaze initiates a series of sinful actions, illustrating the peril of allowing one's eyes to lead the heart astray.

4. Seeking God: Directing one's eyes towards God is a recurring theme, symbolizing a heart that seeks divine presence and guidance. Psalm 123:1-2 expresses this longing: "I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He shows us mercy."

5. Avoiding Evil: Proverbs 4:25 advises, "Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead." This counsel emphasizes the importance of maintaining a steadfast focus on the path of righteousness, avoiding distractions that lead to evil.

6. Divine Observation: The eye is also a symbol of God's omniscience and His ability to direct His gaze upon humanity. Proverbs 15:3 states, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." This serves as a reminder of God's constant vigilance and the moral accountability of His creation.

In summary, the direction of the eye in Scripture is a powerful motif that conveys themes of guidance, moral focus, temptation, and divine observation. The Bible encourages believers to direct their eyes towards God and righteousness, while warning against the perils of allowing one's gaze to lead to sin.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 10:31
And he said, Leave us not, I pray you; for as much as you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you may be to us instead of eyes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Preface
... stones for their own monuments;" and laudable actions always support ... will find the
most part of them mentioned in the ... and they shall see eye to eye, when the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

The Writings of Phileas the Martyr Describing the Occurrences at ...
... 1. Since we have mentioned Phileas as having a high ... with us did not hesitate, but
directing the eye of the ... of ways, not in words only, but in actions, they did ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the writings of phileas.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it ...
... consideration of such Scriptures as those mentioned above: which ... in life, without
ever turning the eye of the ... choice, of directing my own actions, of judging ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ii of the nature.htm

A Preface to the Reader.
... of a hand, the cast of an eye is sufficient to ... of such wandering falling stars as
are mentioned by St. ... and murmurings about the behaviour and actions of others ...
/.../a preface to the reader.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... of demanding "an eye for an eye, or a ... the world," with regard both to your tempers
and actions. ... of speaking with tongues, and of interpreting, mentioned in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 24 upon our lords.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... upon him while man voluntarily regulates his own actions. ... Who enlightens all, has
his own eye always open ... spoke, but I repent of having mentioned Fortune there ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

A Summary of Experience and a Body of Divinity
... remembered that he cannot be responsible for all their actions. ... When a tear rises
to his eye he brushes it ... of which we spake when we mentioned the acceptance ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a summary of experience and.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... remains always to the best man's eye utterly invisible.2 ... But are you out of that
wilderness mentioned? ... for these their uncharitable words and actions, they have ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... end sanctify the means, even in the eye of the ... relation to the views of the
above-mentioned authors on ... between the divine agency and the sinful actions of men ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... and excess is apparent in all our actions, and as ... this I will shortly set before
the eye of the ... Such exercises are often mentioned by ancient writers when they ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm