"SEE" No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Most likely you have seen the pictures of the three wise monkeys that originated from a 17th century carving at the famous shrine in Nikko, Japan. We three “Wyse” sisters mimic the picture by covering our eyes, ears, and mouth to represent stopping them from sinning. This week’s devotional is “SEE” no evil...

When you were a little child did you mother ever say to you “don’t let your eyes get you in trouble?” Now that probably meant something like stop looking at the cookies cooling on the rack before you do something naughty like snatch one. As we grow older and our mothers are not watching us anymore, are you looking at things that she wouldn’t like? More importantly you should be thinking, are you looking at things that God wouldn’t like?

Matthew 5:29 says, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell”. Wow, we better examine what we are looking at! Think about what types of books and magazines you are reading. Think about what kind of t.v. shows and movies you enjoy. Psalms 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me”. Ladies, how often do we spend time looking in the mirror obsessing or looking at magazines wishing/trying to look as gorgeous as the skinny model? Sure, we should definitely take care of ourselves by eating healthy food and exercising. Remember God created us in His image. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”. Don’t give the devil a foothold (Eph. 4:27) and stop spending so much time in the mirror. For you fellas (and the ladies too that struggle with this one) God warns us about lust in Matthew 5:28, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart”. Now you guys know what this means, not admiring her beauty, but thinking of her beyond that. Remember what it says in the verse 29, better to pluck out your eye. There are many avenues that our eyes can lead us to sin. If you know that you have been taking part in one of those, cover your eyes, and “flee” like it says in 1 Corinthians 6:18. Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”.