Guest Post by Becky Loe
Eyes are often called “the windows of the soul,” because of how they communicate emotions or sincerity. Matthew 6:22-23, however, introduces an even more vital function of the eyes; they actually shape our souls!
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”
Our souls/characters are constantly being influenced by the input we give them. If we consistently view things of truth, beauty, and encouragement, our eyes grow us into men and women of character and courage. If we consistently look at things that are crass, cynical, or violent, our souls will be darkened by them. One reason porn is so dangerous is that it blinds and hardens the heart to the beauty of what real love is (gentleness, kindness, concern for the other person) while darkening one’s soul with lust and a selfishness that cares only for its own pleasure and satisfaction.
Change
We know the Truth, and the Light of the world is ours for the having. But the warning here is, “If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (vs. 23) We can’t change our character overnight, but we can influence the kind of people we are becoming by what we choose to read or watch on TV and the computer. It’s foolish to consistently channel darkness into our souls and expect that the light in us will automatically keep our character strong and bright. Knowing the truth, but still welcoming in the darkness brings a hardness that is more unyielding than the darkness of one who has never known the truth. The encouraging flip side of that is that making the hard choices to focus our eyes on God’s Word, goodness, and beauty will bring light into our hearts, strengthening our souls.
Please meet my friend Becky Loe. Becky is kind-hearted and has a fierce commitment to encouraging others and sharing the gospel wherever she finds herself. She enjoys their family of six, and her hobbies include reading and watching whodunits.
After almost 44 years of ministry with Cru in Asia and Eastern Europe, she and her husband Danny recently transitioned to Ratio Christi (the Reason of Christ). This ministry brings together faith and reason, establishing the intellectual voice of Christ in universities through student and faculty-led apologetics clubs around the world.
Comments and questions for Becky are welcome in the section below.
