(Luke 11:31).
The eye sees and desires. The organic telescopes that God gave us do much more than allow us to see. They are doorways. Everything around dances for our attention. We as humans are dazzled by the sight of things and can even be caste under a spell at once glance. Through our eyes we see our world, but more importantly we interact and exchange with the two orbs beside our nose. That which we see calls to us. A beautiful piece of jewelry, a appealing art piece, or a person dressed in pleasing attire. From our eyes we derive much pleasure, we gravitate to things that fill our eyes and then our mind and soul with joy. Sometimes we even seek morbid and depressing icons, imagery, and people.
Through the two lanterns of our skull we connect with everything around us. Our eyes are like our hands but they fill us with even more delight. With our eyes we may see a beautiful sunset, look upon our beloved, bask in the colors and shades. Our scopes let us touch that which cannot be felt by the hand or foot. And yet, these two gifts from God can be forces for great evil. The jolly man named Job said that he made a "covenant with his eyes to not look lustfully upon a young woman," (Job 31:1). It is through the eyes that sins like pornography thrive. There are artists in Hollywood and obscure lots in Europe who create images to haunt not our eyes alone, but our hearts and minds. That which is seen goes into the mind and from the mind to the heart, if it is not stopped. Thus what we see is quickly transmitted to our brains and there the battle remains.
The perils that come with our periscopes are many. What we see cannot be unseen easily. Morose and malevolent images lurk all over. They are like a serpent seek to go into our eyes and then slither through the tunnels of our mind. This is why people have nightmares after watching horror movies, the image they saw has not left, it lingers in the mind for days, months, and sometimes years. Be careful eye what you see. There is so much out there that is calling for out attention, provocative and promiscuous advertising abounds the walls of malls. Macabre minefields can be found at the movie theater. Everywhere we go there is something that seeks to enter our heads through the portals of our face.
There are many that enjoy feeding their eyes with evil things. They strength the serpents in their minds with the morbid movies and vile entertainments. We can choose to compromise and allow our eyes to behold that which is not wholesome, but by doing so we jeopardize our souls. As Christians we should take seriously what we seek to see. We should consider each piece of art, book, film, and beyond with the stance that if Jesus was standing right next to us (he actually is inside us and sees what we are looking at) would we feel comfortable looking at it?
So many saints justify watching horror films or playing video games full of witchcraft. They say that it is just make believe, but your brain does not. What you see enters and permeates inside you until you accept it or reject it. Accepting what you see is much easier than rejecting what you see. Most commercials or advertisements have been carefully researched to illict a positive response from you, even if it violates your convictions. The companies who create the images have psychologists and neuro-scientists on hand to tell them what colors, facial expressions, hidden code words, and etc to get people enticed. From the moment you see something, you already are vulnerable. The way to fight back is to make a covenant with your eyes. Make a pact with Jesus to not look upon things that defile your person or that would condemn you later. Resolve to fight the urge to look at those things that cause you shame and that invite sinister spirits to torment your mind.
Thankfully, not all artists, film makers, and advertises are working for ill. There are those that can fill your mind with beautiful and even believing thoughts. Masters of sculpture, canvas, film, and beyond have the power to fill our eyes with godly things. Looking upon a crucifix in Norte Dame, or watching a film like Son of God can wash clean the mind of the serpents. it doesn't always have to be Biblically themed, it can be allegorical like the Knights of the Round Table or another subject such as beautiful maiden who is not sensual, but serene and showing the workmanship of God as she sits with bonnet upon her head and holds a book in hand.
In a world of apps and technology moving so fast, our eyes see more in day than people in other centuries saw in a life time. The images and information we can access on the smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices is incredible. This is all the more reason why we must make a "covenant with our eyes." The responsibility to keep our eyes pleasing to Christ and our minds cleansed in his blood is greater than ever. We must be prepared in a war of visuals to keep from looking upon evil and train ourselves to seek that which is of God and good. Sometimes it will mean having to leave a theater until the sickening trailer is over or choosing not to look at the wall in department store that calls to you like siren.
Remember that one of greatest uses of our eyes is closing them. It is when the portals are closed and we prayerfully seek the Lord that we find him. It is because the temptations and distractions cannot get behind the fleshy shields (eye lids). There with our sights sheathed, we can seek the Savior and his guidance on living in a world of endless sights.
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