Matthew 6:22,23
Our Lord introduces an important parable in
the sermon on the Mount. This parable is put between two indispensable messages
from Christ. First, “lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. But
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also.” The second, “No man can serve two
masters. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” The two messages are clear.
On one hand, fix your heart on heaven; have eternity in view; set your
affections on things in heaven, not on things on earth. On the other hand, love
God supremely and serve Him without any distraction; let Him be the only Lord
and Master of your life and do all things with God’s glory as your goal. Let
nothing compete with seeking His glory in anything and everything you do.
The parable in verses 22 and 23 further explains these messages.
The illustration of the eye in relation to the body is used. There are two
kinds of eyes - a single eye, meaning a sound, healthy eye and an evil eye,
meaning a diseased, dim, darkened eye. The single, sound, healthy eye gives
light to the body, helping a believer to move in line with God’s will and
towards heaven. The evil, dark eye cannot see the eternal future, making a
sinner to walk in darkness, which will ultimately lead to eternal damnation.
The “evil eye” speaks of a heart, mind or conscience darkened by
sin, self and Satan. The actions and motives of the “body” directed
by an “evil eye” will be sinful, self-centred and
Satan-controlled.
1. PROPER MEANING OF
SYMBOLIC EYE AND BODY
Matthew 6:22; Luke 11:34-36; Psalm 36:9; Proverbs 20:27;
Ephesians 1:18; Revelation 3:18; Proverbs 22:9; Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians
1:12; Acts 24:16.
“The eye”
and “the body” are used as figures of speech. What light is to
the world the eye is to the body. Without the light of the sun, there will be
total darkness: positive, productive activities on earth will be impossible.
The activities of the body are directed according to the light which is
received through the eye.
The body represents the
sum of all our actions and activities. The members of the body (brain, mind,
tongue, hands, legs, etc) produce actions which result in “life”
in general. These actions are possible when we have the light of the day. The
eye receives the light and through that light, the activities of the body are
directed. The heart, spirit, conscience, desire, intention and motive direct
our moral and spiritual actions. When the heart receives the light of God, the
light of His Word, the light of the Sun of righteousness, the eye is single,
sound or healthy, and the corresponding
actions are acceptable to God.
“Thine eye shall be
single.” The word “single” here means sound, wholesome,
healthy. The single or sound eye refers to purity of intention or selflessness
in our motives. With purity of motive and affection, our actions or body of
activities will be full of light. With selfishness in our motive and
insincerity in our intention, we are termed to have an “evil eye”
and our actions will be works of darkness.
2. PURE MOTIVES OF
SINGLE-MINDED BELIEVERS
Matthew 6:22; Luke 11:34-36;
Ephesians 6:5-7; Colossians 3:22-24; Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33;
Galatians 1:10; Philippians 2:5-8; John 5:30; Philippians 2:14-16,19-22.
“If therefore thine
eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” When the eye is
single, sound and healthy, vision will be clear and plain. If the eye is not
sound or healthy, everything is dim or dark. The eye regulates the motion and
direction of the body. Walking through this world, it is important to fix our “eye”,
heart and affection on God and heaven. Our conduct will be steadily righteous
and acceptable to God when our motives are pure and we seek only the glory of
God and the salvation of souls. Having the eye of faith single and unwavering,
setting affection on things above, not on things on the earth, fixing our face
like a flint on the glory of God will make our actions to be approved of God as
done in the light. “The whole body shall be full of light.” Then
shall we be walking in the light, “proving what is acceptable unto the
Lord.” All that is needful to direct the soul and conduct is that the
eye of faith be fixed on heaven. Our motives must be pure and focused on God’s
glory for our lives to be holy and acceptable to Him.
3. PERVERTED MINDS WITH
SELF-CENTRED BEHAVIOUR
Matthew 6:23; Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 28:22; 23:6-8; Matthew
20:10-15; Mark 7:20-23; John 12:40; Luke 11:34-36; Ephesians 4:17-24; Hebrews
3:12-14.
“But if thine eye
be evil.” The evil eye refers to self-centredness (Deuteronomy 15:9),
covetousness (Proverbs 28:22), insincerity (Proverbs 23:6,7), critical spirit
(Matthew 20:10-15), sinful intention, selfish desires and self-centred motives
(Mark 7:21-23). If the eye of the heart, desire, motive and intention are
focused on self satisfaction or praise of men, the corresponding actions will
be in darkness.
If our hearts receive not
the light of God’s Word, if our conscience are darkened and unenlightened, if
our motives and thoughts are impure, selfish and sinful, our conduct, character
and behaviour will be works of darkness. We shall be condemned by God and shall
be punished in everlasting darkness, eternally separated from God and from the
light of His countenance.
We need single-mindedness
- a single eye, pure motive, pure mind and affection completely fixed on God
and His glory. Then shall we walk, moment by moment, in His light as we prepare
to live in the eternal light of glory with God.
