Open Your Eyes to the Light

Proverbs 21:2 (NLT)
2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

King Solomon tells us in this proverb that when it comes to ourselves - we are often partial to the judgment of ourselves and our actions. We often think too highly of ourselves and overlook the flaws that are present.  Many are prideful and pride clouds judgment of one’s character. We also try to make actions appear right when all along we know they are wrong. Even when caught in wrong actions we tend to justify what we have done. We can be sure of one thing – when God examine our heart all the truth is revealed. God looks at our actions, our intentions, and our purpose then weights the evidence and convicts us according to the truth of the evidence.

 

 

It was a dark and foggy night at sea. The captain of the ship looked into the dark night from the bridge. Suddenly he saw the faint glow of lights approaching through the fog. Immediately he ordered the radio operator to send a message – Alter your course 10 degrees south. A reply came back – Alter your course 10 degrees north.  

In anger the captain ordered a second message – I am the captain of this ship; alter your course 10 degrees south.  Again a response – I am Petty Officer Third Class Jones – alter your course 10 degrees north.

Furious his orders were being ignored by a lower rank and wanting to evoke fear in Petty Officer Third Class Jones the captain ordered a final demand – I am a battle ship and if you don’t want to be sunk alter your course 10 degrees south. Then came the response – I am afraid your battleship will be sunk if you don’t alter your course 10 degrees north – I am the lighthouse.

How often we live our lives in a fog not seeing the truth for what it is. We make demands without understanding. We make assumptions without hearing all the facts. We even respond in anger because our view is not accepted. Our pride takes over and we won’t even let ourselves see the truth when it is right in front of us.

We need to allow the Lord to examine our hearts and show us the truth. We need the accountability of good, wise and responsible friends who can see our faults and tell us about those faults in love.  We need to take away pride and open our eyes to the truth before us.

 

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”