Oh Be Careful Little Eyes

Posted on June 19, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

Do you remember this little chorus?

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

So be careful little eyes what you see

I remember singing that as a very young child in Sunday School. The second verse was “be careful little ears what you hear,” and so on.

I’ve been attending a Sunday School class this quarter on the subject of “contentment.”  One of the main points the teacher made this past Sunday is that the gateway to coveting, which is a root cause of DIScontentment, is often what we see. We looked at three examples in Scripture.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.  Genesis 3:6

When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. Joshua 7:21

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 2 Samuel 11:2

We are bombarded through so many avenues with things that, in and of themselves, are not necessarily bad. But it’s what plays out in our minds after we see them that can lead us astray.  This is why Scripture gives us tools to guard our hearts and minds.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

One of the simplest things we can do, though, is to make the choice to avoid areas where what we see will cause us to covet and lead to discontentment. Does going to the mall when you don’t actually need anything cause you to be discontent? Then don’t go. Does watching all the home renovations on HGTV cause you to want a new bathroom or kitchen that you can’t afford? Then don’t watch it. Do Hallmark movies or romance novels cause dissatisfaction with your spouse (or lack of one)? Then turn the channel or throw the book out.

While we can’t control everything that is thrown at us, we can control much of it. And sometimes it’s just a simple matter of turning away, choosing not to look. Eve could have looked at all the other fruit trees in the garden and been grateful for the immense bounty she already had. Achan could have chosen to remember that all of the spoils of the battle belonged to the Lord. And David could have just gone back downstairs.

I know there are many things I can do to keep my focus in line and prevent discontentment.  How about you?

Written by Ruth Schmidt: Ruth Schmidt has worked at America’s Keswick since 1985. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Bill Welte.

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37-39, Matthew 27:1-26| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a glass slipper on a gouty foot.” – John Bunyan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. – Galatians 6:14 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

 

 

 

 

 

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