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Articles
Bright Eyes and Good News
Proverbs 15:30 beautifully declares, “Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.” The things we see and hear have a profound impact on our hearts and well-being. Consider the joy of coming home from work and seeing the excitement in your child’s eyes as they run to give you a hug. Even the sound of a loved one's voice after an extended absence can bring immense joy. These moments, as the proverb suggests, not only gladden the heart but also nourish our inner being.
In Matthew 6:22, Jesus speaks of the eye as the lamp of the body. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of what you allow yourself to see. You are in control of what you look at and what you hear. Just as a lamp provides light to a room, our eyes illuminate our entire being. If our vision is focused on good and wholesome things, our whole being will be filled with light.
In Matthew 5, Jesus highlights the connection between our eyes in our heart. “I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Our eyes serve as a filter determining what we allow to enter our heart. Proverbs 20:12 reminds us that both the hearing ear and the seeing eye are created by the Lord.
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and whaling to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” Proverbs 4:20-25
You have a responsibility to filter out the garbage to keep your heart pure by avoiding certain sights and sounds. This includes resisting the temptation to look at others inappropriately. It includes refusing to engage in gossip and inappropriate conversations. It demands discernment in choosing the media we consume, ensuring it aligns with God's principles.
Filling your life with goodness is equally as vital as filtering out the garbage. Looking to God's handiwork in creation can bring joy and wonder (Psalm 19:1-3). If you are married, looking to your spouse will help you avoid “burn(ing) with passion” (I Corinthians 7:9). Furthermore, look for “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16) by seeking the company of fellow believers. Spending time with fellow believers contributes to a heart full of light and joy. Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor…”
Your heart is significantly impacted by the things you see and hear. We can find more of the joy and nourishment God intends for us by filtering out the negative and embracing the good. Seeking God first (Matthew 6:33) and fixing your gaze upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) are essential to filling your heart with enduring contentment.
