Don't Let Your Eyes Grow Dim

Many times when there is a physical deficit in one area, another area of the body can or will compensate. For instance, if someone has lost use of their hands, they can learn to use their feet like you would hands. If they are going or are blind they may have a more acute sense of hearing, and vice versa.

At our small group we looked briefly at the calling of Samuel and his encounter with Eli the priest. I thought at first this principal would apply. In 1 Samuel 3:2 it says Eli was almost blind. I assumed Eli’s hearing must have been strongly developed, compensating for his loss of sight. The more I thought about this, the more it actually didn’t fit. Scripture doesn’t seem to support Eli having a strongly developed sense of hearing. Then I realized the reference to Eli’s blindness was symbolic. He was going blind physically and spiritually. Spiritual blindness can overtake us if we aren’t diligent and purposeful in our walk with God. I’m going to focus on four key points pertaining to this.

1. Spiritual blindness causes us to misjudge situations.

In the first chapter of 1 Samuel we are introduced to Hannah, the eventual mother of Samuel. She had come to the Tabernacle to pray and seek God. She prayed letting her lips move, but no audible sounds were coming out. The bible says Hannah was barren. No matter what age people have lived in; Old Testament, New Testament, turn of the century, or 21st century, infertility has existed. The heartbreak, anguish, and pain these people experience is very real and can feel overwhelming. Hannah is crying out to God asking for a miracle. Eli observes Hannah and what is his initial judgment? She must be drunk! He even goes as far as to go over and rebuke her. Hannah thankfully is able to express what she was doing. Eli then blesses her asking God to answer her prayer.

When we let our walk with God go dim we start to operate more in our flesh. Our flesh will think the worst of people. Our flesh will paint a negative light on everyone. Our flesh will operate in judgement versus grace and mercy. Our flesh will cause us to look down on others rather than looking with compassion. In Matthew 9:36 it talks about Jesus seeing the crowds, being moved with compassion, and then healing the sick. Jesus moved in the Spirit and it stirred Him to help. Eli’s spiritual eyes were dim and resulted in insensitivity, indifference, and harshness.

2. Refusal to heed God’s instructions and/or warnings will cause our eyes to grow dim.

Eli was a Levitical priest. In those times the priest would train his sons up to assist with and eventually take over the priestly duties. In 1 Samuel 2, we find out that Eli’s sons were wicked and were stealing portions of the animal sacrifices. They were keeping the choice fat and meat instead of giving it to God. They also were engaging in sexual sin with the women helping in the Tabernacle. In verses 23-25 it appears Eli deals with his sons and rebukes them like a good father. Yet in verses 27-36 a man of God comes to pronounce judgement on Eli, his sons, and his lineage. Why? Eli didn’t truly deal with the issue like God wanted him to. In verse 29 the man of God sent to rebuke Eli says “Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’” Eli acted as if he was incensed by his sons actions, but was enjoying the spoils with them. He was partaking in the sin by getting fat off the stolen food. His big speech of warning to his sons now seemed to be a big rouse and all for show.

How many times have we seen a big gesture to make something right only to later see it was actually insincere? It initially made that person look good, but their heart actually remained unchanged. God doesn’t want obedience bathed in insincerity.

Isaiah 29:13 says “The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”

Matthew 15:8 says “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

We may think God is flattered and blind to our lip service, but He isn’t. The only one being blinded is ourselves. Each time we ignore God’s warnings and promptings, the light gets a little dimmer.

3. When we are spiritually blind we don’t recognize when God shows up.

1 Samuel 3 says Eli was almost completely blind now. God audibly calls Samuel and Samuel goes to Eli thinking he had called him. This happened multiple times before Eli realized the Lord was calling Samuel. Eli’s spiritual walk with God was so weakened or dim at this point he wasn’t used to God showing up anymore. When we allow our spiritual walk to dwindle we may miss or almost miss what God is doing.

This small portion of text is very scary to me. It causes me to reflect and be on my guard. I don’t want to miss or almost miss what God is doing because I’ve gotten used to not experiencing God. This doesn’t become routine because God is taking a siesta. This happens because I no longer pay attention to, expect or look for the things God’s doing.

A way that has helped me to become more sensitive to seeing God actively working, is by practicing thankfulness. I try to start each morning thanking God for things. I often start just by looking out my window and expressing gratitude for nature. Soon finding something to thank God for comes with ease. I’ve noticed the more I make finding time to thank God a habit, it starts to flow into the rest of my day. I find myself throughout my day acknowledging what I see God doing little or big. In turn, I am actually keeping my eyes from growing dim. I am consciously looking for Him and expecting that He is actively present and at work in my life and in this world. I am operating in expectation that God will show up and my eyes stay alert.

4. When our spiritual eyes grow dim we fall for the devil’s schemes.

In Genesis 27 there is another person the bible specifically points out was going blind; Isaac. He called his firstborn Esau to him to arrange giving him his blessing and birthright. Isaac’s wife Rebekah schemed to trick Isaac and have him give the blessing to Jacob instead. Jacob’s arms were covered with animal hair to mimic his brother’s hairy arms and he presented his father with the food Isaac asked for. At first Isaac had his reservations and was almost akin to their deception. He accurately judged the voice seemed to be Jacob, but then he felt his arms, ate the food and had some wine. As Jacob came close to his father, he noted he even smelled like Esau. Jacob was wearing Esau’s clothes. Isaac now convinced, blessed Jacob.

Isaac ignored the checks in his spirit. There were multiple times Isaac seemed to have his suspicions, but each time, Rebekah and Jacob had an answer to his doubts. They then lowered his inhibitions with food and wine. They ultimately sealed the deal by having Jacob be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

When satan is trying to get us to compromise or fall for his schemes he will make every attempt to have us ignore the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Helper and oftentimes that voice of warning. However the more we allow our spiritual eyes to be clouded, the easier it is to ignore Him and fall into the trap. Satan will not make it easy by trying to lure us with unpleasantries, unappealing or unappetizing things. He will appeal to our flesh. He will dangle before us something that looks good, smells good, and even tastes good, and before we know it we’re in deep.

I imagine this happened to Eli. He knew what his kids were doing was wrong, but then he was presented with the spoils of their sin. The sweet smell of the fatty meat seemed irresistible to him and he caved. The warnings of God began to be harder to hear. I hope and pray that I never ignore God’s promptings. I want my eyes to stay alert to the devil’s schemes and tactics.

So how do we avoid our eyes growing dim? One of the ways is three-fold in that there are three scriptures I find are crucial. In Joshua 1:8 it says “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Read God’s word. Study it. Chew on it. Process it. Let it ruminate in your spirit. Put God’s word inside and it will affect the outside.

Jeremiah 15:16 says “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies.” We need to be purposeful about God’s word. God’s word will not jump out of the pages and inside of us if our bible is collecting dust on the night stand. Getting God’s word inside us requires action.

And finally Proverbs 4:20-22 says “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Solomon was speaking words of wisdom to his child. He obtained that wisdom and the words he spoke from God. He warned to not lose sight of them or don’t lose sight of God. When you lose sight of God, you start to lose spiritual sight. However God’s words are healing so, if you allowed your eyes to dim, there is still hope. Refocus your eyes on God and your sight will be restored.