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The Jaundiced Eye - part 1 of 3(KJV-unless otherwise specified) Forbidden from coming near the veil to make offerings unto the Lord was any priest “that hath a blemish in his eye” {Lev 21:20}. By extension the word “blemish” indicates confusion as well as a defect in vision, and “eye” extends beyond the physical to include the mental or spiritual dimension. With Christ’s having “made us kings and priests unto God, ” {Rev 1:6}, we must allow our spiritual eyes to become and remain unblemished. Limiting our perception to the physical realm produces only surface vision. Mark’s account of Jesus’ healing of one blind man necessitated two touches; for even with some degree of vision, the man was unable to discern differences: “And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking” {Mark 8:24}. How often we, too, see others as objects rather than as those loved by God and created in His image. If we are to exercise righteous judgment by seeing as the Lord sees, our spiritual vision must become focused and accurate. For until our eyes become as His, our perceptions remain distorted, incomplete, and false, evoking un-Christ-like responses, whether inwardly repressed or outwardly displayed. To release the man from physical blindness, Jesus “spit on his eyes, and put his hand upon him” {v 23) and inquired as to the effectiveness of his vision: “Can you see now?” {v 23 paraphrase}. As we submit to the Lord’s repeated dealings, testings and required self-examinations, we will increasingly come to see as He sees. For only when we see with His eyes can we behold through eyes of love. Perfect perception, whether physical or spiritual, requires the casting out of invasive elements which distort our vision and damage our eyes. (Remember how it feels to get an eyelash in your eye and how its presence affects your vision?). Pain and the inability to open wide the eyes or heart indicate the presence of an intrusive object or contaminating influence. When infection occurs, we may require an antibiotic to combat the problem, as well as a healing balm to ease the pain. At times, the infection may spread to others; and the longer we neglect or refuse treatment, the more apt we are to contaminate those around us. Often we dismiss character infections as “family traits,” and adapt our lives around their presence. Some infections inflame; others discolor and cause swelling. Anger, allowed to fester, inflames. Pride, unrecognized and uncrucified, results in swelling of the eye (the “I” or the “ego”). For the Hebrews of the Old Testament, every seventh year was referred to as “the Lord’s release” {Deut 15:2}. At this time slaves were freed and debts canceled. Knowing man’s innate selfishness and desire to retain control and power, God gave two warnings about allowing self to rule. The first involved withholding release from one to whom it was due, and the second was giving release begrudgingly: “Beware that thine eye be evil against thy poor brother and that givest him nought” {Deut. 15:9}, and “When thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally…of that which the Lord thy God hath blessed thee…{Deut 15:13-14}. When we defiantly withhold the giving of ourselves or of our desires or need for control, clinging to our “rights,” or when we forgive in word but withhold mercy, are we not responding with a jaundiced eye? Before we can purchase of Christ “eye salve, that ye may see” {Rev 3:18}, we must first acknowledge our own blindness or the impairments which distort our spiritual and mental perception. Recognizing the symptoms of our own jaundiced eye is critical, but the Holy Spirit is faithful to point out those moments when we are blinded to the truth. Among the ugly attitudes and motives which distort or blind are the following:
When we harbor any of these responses, we withhold from ourselves and from others the freedom purchased at Calvary. The jaundiced eye of self spawns comparison, competition and self-justification within the Church, but we cannot be builders of the Kingdom of God while under the rule of such tyrannical forces. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” {2 Cor 10:12}. Only with a renewed mind, a repentant heart and a humble acceptance of God’s sovereignty can we learn to rejoice in the uniqueness of each living stone. Indeed, the world is too much with us, our lives controlled by a distorted value system, even our naming the name of Christ often falling into Phariseeism. “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” {Luke 16:15}. While James asked “From whence come wars and fightings among you?” {4:1}, might we not be wise to ask, “Lord, from whence come the wars and fightings within me?” “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked (the way of pain) way in me…” {Ps 139:23-24}, for “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” {Ps 66:18}. The spiritual requirement for pointing out the mote in our brother’s eye is first recognizing and removing the beam from our own. -Ruth French July Newsletter 2002 | Warfare Prayer | The Fear Factor part 1 of 2 Pastor's Journal July 2001 | Keeping Honor part 1 of 2 | The Jaundiced Eye part 1 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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