"Shut Eye"

TOPIC: Self Control

SCRIPTURE: "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;" (Ps.101:3a)

OBSERVATION: David knew that there were prerequistes to living a blameless life. Although there are things we must do, in this Psalm we discover what we should avoid. They are:
#1.) Avoid looking at worthless things
#2.) Avoid evil thoughts
#3.) Avoid slander
#4.) Avoid pride

APPLICATION: As I was reading today I came across one of David's statements and it sent me on a word search throughout the scriptures. David said, that he would "set no worthless thing before his eyes"

In my search I discovered that Job made a similar statement, he said that he had made a covenant with his eyes not to do certain things... (Job 31:1)

I don't know about you, but I believe I need to renew that convenant everyday. (I'm not just referring to 1 particular temptation here either)

I continued my search, & here are some of my findings...

I came across some verses that dealt with what happens when we choose to follow David's and Job's example to set no worthless thing before our eyes.

Luke 11:34a says, "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light."

Ps.19:8 says, "The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes (when obeyed)"

A few years ago I was in a foreign country, while there, I encountered a demon possessed teenager at church service. God set her free within minutes and these two verses became more real to me than ever because what was once a face of darkness became before my very eyes a face a radiating light!!!

It was truly a sight to behold.

I also came across some verses that dealt with what happens when we choose to NOT to follow David's and Job's example and we set worthless things before our eyes. Here's an example of one:

Luke 11:34b says,"when your eyes are bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Eccl.1:8 goes on to say, "All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing..."

Been there more times than I care to mention!!!

At times like these I need to practice a little more "shut eye"

What about you?

Although these next verses do not include a reference to our eyes we know that our eyes are majorly involved in this process. (This does not imply in any way that blind people do not go through this process, because they do.)

James 1:14-15 says, "...each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it bring forth death."

Matt.5:29 says, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."

In light of these verses we might ought to take these next challenges a little more seriously

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." (Prov.4:25)

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways." (Prov.23:26)

LAST BUT DEFINITLY NOT LEAST

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,(Heb.12:2)

PRAYER: Father God, help me to daily exercise a lot more shut eye, knowing that it can lead to...death, if not stopped.