Introduction. God created our eyes to take the light of this world and bring into our conscious mind the true reality of the colors, textures and movements of all that is around us. When light reflects off any beautiful thing, we clearly see its beauty and complexity and in awe we can offer praise to our God. When light reflects off of any oncoming danger, it gives us time to react and protect ourselves before it arrives. Jesus took this truth and used it as a parable for how His words can do the same thing for unseen spiritual realities. Whether they be the promises of future glory, or the stark danger of certain emotions or actions, Jesus’ words should be seen as absolute truth.
While the truth of the parable is evident to everyone in the material creation, the application in the spiritual creation is a little more complicated. Through Isaiah, God revealed that when the Messiah came, He would bring to light spiritual realities that were either forgotten (Rom. 1:19-23) or had not yet been revealed (2Tim. 1:10).
- “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Mt. 6:22-23)
While the truth of the parable is evident to everyone in the material creation, the application in the spiritual creation is a little more complicated. Through Isaiah, God revealed that when the Messiah came, He would bring to light spiritual realities that were either forgotten (Rom. 1:19-23) or had not yet been revealed (2Tim. 1:10).
- “The people that sat in darkness saw a great light, and to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, to them did light spring up.” (Mt. 4:13-18).
Since faith is “the evidence / conviction of things not seen,” all who trust in Jesus will be confident in their “walk by faith and not by sight.” (Heb. 11:1; 2Cor. 5:7). We believe Him when He said “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12). With these truths in our mind, Jesus’ words above become easier to apply and understand. As our physical eyes can either be good or bad, so also can our spiritual eyes. The definition of a cataract is a perfect description of this parable. Jesus spoke of “spiritual cataracts:”
There were many in His day, as there are today, who believe their vision is clearer than that of Jesus. They openly reject and contradict the light of His words. Although God sent Jesus to be “the light of men” “shining in the darkness”, multitudes then and now “loved the darkness rather than the light” and have refused to come hear Him or selectively hear only what pleases them:
Thus the truth of Jesus’ words! What they saw as light within themselves was actually darkness. Since Jesus was the Word “who was with God and was God”, if we don’t trust Him completely and those He sent as inspired by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26;16:13), our eye is bad and to that degree our body is still in darkness. Only when we see things exactly as Jesus has revealed them are we truly in the light.
Jesus also warned that we cannot be selective with this light. We must take careful heed that everything we believe and trust is actually from Him or those sent by Him. More importantly, we must realize that once the Scripture reveals truth, we must respond to these new realities, whether promises or warnings. If we do not act quickly, we might find on the final day of judgment that the light we thought was within us was actually darkness because what we confidently believed and acted on was not truth. The only way our eyes can be clear on any subject is if it is based only on the light He revealed. If we cling to anything contrary to what He revealed, our eye is bad! Only when our eye is clear in every subject can we be assured that our entire body is full of light.
The clarity of our spiritual eyesight is based on our complete unbiased acceptance of the truths Jesus revealed. If our understanding is based on any other source than what He came down from heaven to reveal, then that part of us is still in the darkness. Paul explained to the Corinthians that everything we see with our eyes in the material realm is only temporary. The things Jesus came to reveal are both unseen and eternal! What we gain from this world is only temporary.
This includes all the cultural norms and standards that change from generation to generation which differ from what is revealed in Scripture. All misuse of fleshly lusts and any decision we make based on the pride of this life is only part of the temporary darkness masquerading as light because everyone but Jesus is affirming it. Still, it will pass away when we die or Jesus returns.
This is why we must give careful heed only to the things Jesus has revealed in the Scriptures of the New Covenant revealed through His apostles and prophets. Only what has come down from above and is found in the Scriptures is the true spiritual light.
This reveals a glaring blindness of the current religious standards. If the Scriptures teach something contrary to present understandings of our age, many who call themselves Christians will set aside what Jesus revealed and in so doing exchange the light of truth for the darkness of our present evil age (Gal. 1:4) which is passing away.
What Paul wrote about the role of women in the church has been set aside for the darkness of a false equality created by our evil age (1Cor. 14:34-38; 1Tim. 2:1-8), leading multitudes back into darkness. What Jesus said about divorce has also been set aside for the darkness of a selfish happiness which does not fear to set aside the permanent nature of marriage (Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-12). What God revealed about marriage being a covenant between a man and a woman has been cast off for the darkness of a marriage between two men or two women (Rom. 1:26-27; 1Cor. 6:9-11).
If we want to be filled with light, we cannot allow our prejudices or worldly thinking to be more important than what Scripture reveals. We must accept all that is written and base our lives only on that! If we do, these Scriptures will become a true mirror of reality. When we look into them and transform ourselves, we will begin to reflect the same glory Jesus possessed while here.
Conclusion. Jesus revealed a terrible reality we can see so clearly in others. Multitudes think they are living and walking in the light even though by Jesus’ words they are still in the darkness. Israel was so blinded by this that they crucified their own Messiah. Yet what we see so clearly in others we are often blind to within ourselves. The key to removing our own “spiritual cataracts” is found in Proverbs:
Miscellaneous Scriptures For Further Study.
- “A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. It is the most common cause of blindness... Visual loss occurs because opacification of the lens obstructs light from passing and being focused on to the retina at the back of the eye.”
There were many in His day, as there are today, who believe their vision is clearer than that of Jesus. They openly reject and contradict the light of His words. Although God sent Jesus to be “the light of men” “shining in the darkness”, multitudes then and now “loved the darkness rather than the light” and have refused to come hear Him or selectively hear only what pleases them:
- “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (Jn. 3:19-21)
Thus the truth of Jesus’ words! What they saw as light within themselves was actually darkness. Since Jesus was the Word “who was with God and was God”, if we don’t trust Him completely and those He sent as inspired by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26;16:13), our eye is bad and to that degree our body is still in darkness. Only when we see things exactly as Jesus has revealed them are we truly in the light.
- “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn. 8:31-32)
Jesus also warned that we cannot be selective with this light. We must take careful heed that everything we believe and trust is actually from Him or those sent by Him. More importantly, we must realize that once the Scripture reveals truth, we must respond to these new realities, whether promises or warnings. If we do not act quickly, we might find on the final day of judgment that the light we thought was within us was actually darkness because what we confidently believed and acted on was not truth. The only way our eyes can be clear on any subject is if it is based only on the light He revealed. If we cling to anything contrary to what He revealed, our eye is bad! Only when our eye is clear in every subject can we be assured that our entire body is full of light.
- “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.” (Lk. 11:33-36)
The clarity of our spiritual eyesight is based on our complete unbiased acceptance of the truths Jesus revealed. If our understanding is based on any other source than what He came down from heaven to reveal, then that part of us is still in the darkness. Paul explained to the Corinthians that everything we see with our eyes in the material realm is only temporary. The things Jesus came to reveal are both unseen and eternal! What we gain from this world is only temporary.
- “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:18)
This includes all the cultural norms and standards that change from generation to generation which differ from what is revealed in Scripture. All misuse of fleshly lusts and any decision we make based on the pride of this life is only part of the temporary darkness masquerading as light because everyone but Jesus is affirming it. Still, it will pass away when we die or Jesus returns.
- “all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1Jn. 2:16-17).
This is why we must give careful heed only to the things Jesus has revealed in the Scriptures of the New Covenant revealed through His apostles and prophets. Only what has come down from above and is found in the Scriptures is the true spiritual light.
- “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Tim. 3:16-17)
This reveals a glaring blindness of the current religious standards. If the Scriptures teach something contrary to present understandings of our age, many who call themselves Christians will set aside what Jesus revealed and in so doing exchange the light of truth for the darkness of our present evil age (Gal. 1:4) which is passing away.
What Paul wrote about the role of women in the church has been set aside for the darkness of a false equality created by our evil age (1Cor. 14:34-38; 1Tim. 2:1-8), leading multitudes back into darkness. What Jesus said about divorce has also been set aside for the darkness of a selfish happiness which does not fear to set aside the permanent nature of marriage (Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-12). What God revealed about marriage being a covenant between a man and a woman has been cast off for the darkness of a marriage between two men or two women (Rom. 1:26-27; 1Cor. 6:9-11).
If we want to be filled with light, we cannot allow our prejudices or worldly thinking to be more important than what Scripture reveals. We must accept all that is written and base our lives only on that! If we do, these Scriptures will become a true mirror of reality. When we look into them and transform ourselves, we will begin to reflect the same glory Jesus possessed while here.
- “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18)
Conclusion. Jesus revealed a terrible reality we can see so clearly in others. Multitudes think they are living and walking in the light even though by Jesus’ words they are still in the darkness. Israel was so blinded by this that they crucified their own Messiah. Yet what we see so clearly in others we are often blind to within ourselves. The key to removing our own “spiritual cataracts” is found in Proverbs:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.” (Pr. 3:5-7)
Miscellaneous Scriptures For Further Study.
- “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.” (Pr. 4:18-19)
- “And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." 40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, "Are we blind also?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.” (Jn. 9:39-41)
- “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know” (Eph. 1:16-18)
- “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Cor. 4:3-6)
- “12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12)
- “35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (Jn. 12:35-36)
- These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb. 11:13-14)
- “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear,To this very day." 9 And David says: " Let their table become a snare and a trap,A stumbling block and a recompense to them. 10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,And bow down their back always." (Rom 11:7-10)