Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) what it means to be his disciples. In the heart of the word “disciple” is the word “discipline”. It means to choose the way of Christ and to follow him with a lifestyle tempered by self-control, living according to his principles.

 

We all need a daily flow of information to make our decisions. Most of us are blessed with the ability to see. We also have the ability to choose what we are looking at. When Jesus refers to healthy eyes in this verse, he is talking about the way we think. Proverbs 4:23 warns that we should guard our hearts above all, for all we do flows from it.

 

Jesus says that if we choose to see the good in life, it will be enlightening to our whole body. Paul would have said about this way of thinking: “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

 

We can choose to look at what is good and edifying in life. We can focus on the works of God’s hands in our lives and in the world around us. We choose to read God’s word and to use our eyes to read good books. We choose to see the people around us with loving eyes. A healthy way of looking at life brings happiness and joy. But the warning is also very clear: be aware of the consequences of an unhealthy way of looking at life.

 

An unhealthy eye would be an eye that is looking for everything that is wrong in life. It seeks opportunities to do bad things. It is an eye that looks away where there is injustice, without trying to change it. It is an eye that gazes with lust upon someone that God has not given to you in love. Jesus says that such an unhealthy eye brings darkness into the body. It testifies to a life in which the light of Christ has not yet arrived. And Jesus’ cry in verse 23 describes the desperation of a life trapped in darkness forever.

 

As disciples of Christ, we have choices to make in life. We can continue to allow our eyes to gaze upon the darkness in this world and to take part in it. That makes our hearts and spirit dark. Or we can choose to see the world in a new light, seeking his light in every situation. In Jesus’ light, there is life for us (John 1:9).

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are our light, shining bright in the darkness of this world. Thank you for giving me a new heart and mind. Thank you for giving me new eyes – healthy spiritual eyes that see you in every day and in every blessing I receive. Let your light shine brightly into all my life. Amen.