Some people were blessed with good eyesight, often called 20/20 vision – a nod to the accepted measure for normal eyesight. Others, like myself, were not as fortunate, leading to corrective lenses or surgical procedures.
My daughter also appears to have inherited her eyesight from me, needing to wear glasses from an early age. Her mom and I recognized that she might need glasses, given her need to always sit at the front of the class. So, we had her eyes checked, and sure enough, she did.
Once she put on her glasses for the first time, I was amazed when she said, “I never realized that I was supposed to be able to see what I’m seeing.” She had concluded that her below-average eyesight was normal and accepted it as such. Now with glasses, it was as if a whole new world was now visible to her.
As valuable as physical eyesight is, spiritual eyesight is even more critical. Spiritual vision is our ability to see ourselves, others, and our world the way God wants us to see them. If we fail to see with the appropriate level of clarity, we are then bound to make decisions that put ourselves and those who follow us in danger. On the other hand, when we see life through God’s eyes, the results are transformative.
However, there are fundamental truths that we must come to grips with to acquire improved spiritual vision:
1) We are born with a lack of spiritual vision. Our inherent sin nature does not discern spiritual truth. In Romans 8:8, we are reminded that “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
2) We are unaware of the extent of our lack of spiritual vision. Ever wonder why we often conclude that our perspectives are right? Proverbs 16:2 says, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.”
3) God, through His Word, can assess our hearts and help us to see our need for improved spiritual vision. David, the Psalmist, realized this when he pleaded with God in Psalm 139:23-24 to search Him and perform an assessment on him.
4) Our vision requires correction from God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 states that, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
The good news is that when our vision is assessed and corrected by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, a whole new world of proper perspective and godly wisdom opens up. So, don’t rely primarily on opinions and instincts. But look at life through the lens of God’s Word and you’ll be amazed and relieved by how well you now see!