IF YOUR EYE BE WHOLE

                                                          Supernatural Secrets


Matthew 6:22-23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single (whole), your whole body shall be full of light.23But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness! 

     In the proceeding passage our King gives us a strategy through which we may battle darkness, whether  it is personal or in the world. The more obvious antidote to darkness is in fact "light." How we can get the "light" to work on our behalf is the secret in which Jesus/Y'shua clues his disciples. The fact of the matter is that G-d/YHWH gives us His word so that we may be informed about the great things given to us freely because of the the Savior's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. 

     How many times have you desired for an unbeliever to see the light that you see in God's truths? I know I have many times. Even other professing believers have seemed to have their minds darkened to the work of God going on about them. Many times in ministry I have grieved because of the darkness blinding "professing" Christians. Those stories are for another time and place. In this article I will feel led to deal with your victory over darkness!

     To do this passage justice I must mention the context in which it is placed. In Verses 21-22 Jesus is talking about "laying up treasure in heaven; thus knowing where your treasure is by where your heart is focused." So, here we have a clue about the eye(s). Jesus is speaking of the heart and where its attentions are fixed. (In Ephesians 1:18 Paul spoke of the eyes of the heart being enlightened.)

     Carnal (worldly minded) Christians and Christianity focus exclusively upon this world and its blessings. G-d/YHVH wants us blessed materially. However, we can never allow "things" to consume our heart's affections, or we will enter into a place of darkness. I know this is Christianity 101 for most of you, please bear with me. Jesus continues the context of this passage in verse 24. "No one can serve two masters..." Jesus' proclamation that we can ONLY SERVE HIM is astounding. This is where most believers are stunted in growth. "... but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." (Mark 4:19).

                                                         PRINCE OF DARKNESS

     The Devil/Satan has one goal pertaining to humanity. He is thrilled when he can get humankind to doubt God's word. The world is sick and twisted, and it's been that way since the fall of the first parents in the Garden. The world shall remain that way until the time of redemption has fully come.  Notice what St. Paul reveals in this passage: 

"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (II Cor. 4:4)  

Who is this "god" that Paul refers? It is Satan himself.

     Satan was once called "Lucifer." That refers to light or shining. Lucifer was simply an angel. He decided he would take God's place. When Satan was cast down he was no longer Lucifer. However, having formerly been a being of light he knew the danger of God's light. Satan is the god of the world.., that is of this wicked age. Because of the fall of humanity, instigated by Satan, mankind inclines to darkness. 

     The 3rd Chapter of John and the 19th verse tells us that "men loved darkness rather that light because their deeds were evil." It's not that G-d/YHVH is weak, or that his "arm is too short to save," rather it is that men refuse Him. Light is more powerful that darkness and cannot be put out by the darkness of Satan or man's stubborn nature! (John 1:5)

      Now, take note; Satan uses the mind to keep unbelievers in total darkness. He also uses the mind to thwart believers from progressing in Messiah's grace. In our mind we "think thoughts." In other words we develop patterns of thought that dictate our behavior. I know this seems simplified, but it is a general truth. Jesus told us that thought proceed out of the heart. The chamber of the heart/spirit is where desires originate. 

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander." Matt 15:19

     The mind of man is where cognitive thinking is. The heart is where desire originates.Humans will generally think in line with the desires (good or bad) of the heart. Consider this;

It's in the realm of the mind in which we are commanded to do spiritual warfare. In the realm of the heart we find the Holy Spirit will do His work of regeneration. (Titus 3:5) However, to affect the heart of an unbeliever we MUST penetrate the darkened mind (thinking). To bring out the good things in the heart of a believer we must confront and control ungodly thinking. 

     I submit to you 2 Cor. 10:4 & 5 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"

                                                            YOUR BATTLEFIELD

       Now, in this and the next few paragraphs I want to elucidate on some prominent ways that Satan propagates his darkness. I think there are some issues that are arising from the ages past that need to be addressed rather than the "usual suspects." For some information on the "usual suspects" I would direct you to read Romans chapters I & II. Here I am going to unravel some things that come from religion and from the secular world.

     We are living in an era in which a most unfortunate return to mysticism is upon us. What I mean by mysticism is that which originates from ungodly entities. This can be expanded into multiple categories. For brevity I will touch on a few things at a moderate depth. This kind of subject can tend to get our eyes off of Jesus and engaged in looking for preternatural/paranormal phenomena to one's detriment.

     There is a proliferation of ghostly and paranormal shows in media and they seem to be on the rise. One that strongly adheres to these shows will often pick up on their philosophy and techniques. These  spiritual encounters are not handled in a biblical fashion. Often there are psychics and clairvoyants, and practitioners of other religions involved. Case in point is a priest I observed over a period of four or so years. We were both ordained by the same Bishop. Neither of us are under that Bishop any longer. One has left his jurisdiction through the veil of death. The other resigned. Guess which one I am?

     Several years ago the aforementioned priest was interviewed on Coast to Coast. That is what brought him to my attention. The Bishop had bragged on him; having an authenticated exorcist in our Province was exciting to him. Eventually I looked up his website. I found that he wasn't a true exorcist, rather he was a ghost hunter. He was enthralled with finding "spirits of the dead." He believed, erroneously, that human spirits can be trapped in the earth and be in need of his assistance to get on to heaven (never hell right?). He also worked closely with practitioners of curious arts, psychics, and an alleged Hindu priest (ess).

      This gentleman died about a year after I resigned from that particular Bishop and his "communion of churches." I don't want to comment on whether or not operating in the ungodliness caused his death. However, it couldn't of helped his faith any. Paranormal seekers will eventually drop the preaching of the Cross/Execution Stake of Jesus and its supernatural meaning.

     Be wary of seeking out the supernatural/preternatural that doesn't operate in and through a bible context. Great theologians acknowledged paranormal activity. St. Augustine of Hippo cited a paranormal event that a whole city in the Roman empire experienced. According to Augustine the municipality heard two phantom armies clashing in the night. They rushed to the field from which the sound of battle originated. But, no physical armies were observed. This did not sway him to follow the "god of this world" and delusions that he creates to darken men's minds. God forbid!

     The scripture tells us that the world is full of wickedness (I John 5:19). Now, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy life in the earth. I am contrasting "earth" and "world" here. The world is an "age," the world is a "system." Both of these ideas speak of a time of fallen man's civilization. We cannot leave this world until the Lord determines it is our time. However, we don't have to operate or think like this corrupt world. We don't have to fall into the spiritual trap of the worlds philosophy on ghosts, necromancy, spells, and the like!

                                                              INIQUITY IN THE CHURCH

     

     Erring churches and ministers are the most harmful specimens of humanity imposed on the race of mankind. I know that statement seems rather blunt. Let's look at it in the light of this passage:

"And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." Matt 24:12

     Iniquity is a form of lawlessness that originates in the heart. It is one thing when we see lawlessness in the world. It is quite another when we see lawlessness operating in the "church world." It as if there has been an epidemic of lawlessness in the law two and a half decades in the visible church. From the Televangelist scandals to the Catholic troubles we have not lacked a salacious story in years. This has been so prolific that one hardly notices when the head of a major, major Christian network is caught in adultery and then blames those he harmed. Earlier this year another world famous Televangelists' brother is caught in adultery. No one bothered to blink.

      Another problem rocking the church is the false supernatural...IN THE CHURCH! There is a lack of discernment of spiritual activity in church circles. The same spirits that the aforementioned priest and his cadre sought are active in the church. They operate under the guise of angels and/or the Holy Spirit   rocking churches with diamonds, gold dust, and feathers. All sorts of things that are not in the bible are accepted. These things are predicated by the lack of teaching of the word of God. If things sound "off" then they might be. Paul says "Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good!" (I Thessalonians 5:21).

                                                SEE THE BIBLE AS A BOOK OF BLESSINGS

     Enough of the negative. The only way to overcome these and other strongholds is to hold fast to the Lord. The primary way of doing this is to stay in His Word! Why? Because darkness is dispelled by light.

God's word is light (Torah). 

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."

     The Bible is too complicated you say. God says, it works for the simple person. My life is too full of sin (darkness) you protest. God says, when His word comes to your soul darkness is overcome. You see, too many see the Bible as a book of difficulty, harshness, and impossibilities. God says the Bible gives us faith (Romans 10:17) and faith causes us to walk in blessings (Galatians 3:14). 

     Here is an issue that has plagued folks for many centuries. The church became be adept to preaching the hard side of the Bible. I know from experience that many preachers continually preached a salvation message to the "reached." They seem to enjoy their continual preaching a congregation under sin. (Though there is a place to preaching against sin.) However, the Bible talks more about preaching and teaching God's children into greater levels of faith. (faith to faith Romans 1:17). God gives us faith to obtaining promises, do exploits, and to endure. (Heb 11.) God didn't give you his word so that you would be overcome, but that you WILL OVERCOME THIS WORLD!

     Do you remember that portion of the verse that we started out with which tells us that a single eye fills the body with light? Here is the secret Jesus is revealing. If we see things with HIS perspective our whole being will be filled with HIS light. We will become a light to the world. We will dispel darkness with our presence and prayers.., in HIs Name! How wonderful is that? 

   I have run into the effects of "darkness preaching" in many churches. They often will testify to how they want sinners to come to their church. But, inevitably, when revival breaks out they are beside themselves with fret. Why? Because they are used to the darkness. You know addicts and depressed people sometimes don't want to get better because they are used to their situation, as much as they loathe it. It is nearly the same with those in darkness. Sometimes we get used to darkness and it becomes a friend. When the light comes we cannot see properly for a bit. Some withdraw immediately. A few others remain til Christ heals their eyes and they can see in the light.

Dear friend. Call on the name of the Lord Jesus and receive the light of salvation. For those of us that believe already, ask him to shine His light on our minds to find lurking latent darkness.

Be blessed in the light of the Son!