I believe this word about our eyes is for the Body of Christ for today, and I wholeheartedly think it applies to our ears as well. It’s not a new word. We’ve heard these things before, but I believe there is a fresh wind on it. I pray that you will consider this series with the Holy Spirit. He is a good leader! Click to read Part One, Part Two, Part Three
God is jealous for our eyes—to be the one we search out, the one we look to, the one we run to for counsel and comfort, for ideas and dreams, for satisfaction and nurturing, and just for the sake of it. He longs to lead us, to lead us to living waters (Revelation 7:17).
I was processing this word with a friend who has been getting a similar impression. She felt Jesus was asking her, “I want your eyes. Will you meet my gaze?” I love that phrase and the invitation it holds. Friends, will we meet his gaze?
IN one of the dreams I shared, there was a spiritual vortex trying to pull me away from purity. I had to keep my eyes from looking at the spirit in order to get out of the room and hide behind a pillar. I woke up from the dream shouting, “Jesus! No!” I felt the Holy Spirit immediately speak to me. “This is the same spirit in the “dna” of the interview you watched.” I knew exactly what he meant. It was a 30-second clip between a TV host and an actor. There was nothing evil or inappropriate about the interview. Had there been, I would have turned it off. But I remember sensing a seductive atmosphere as the two people were talking. Again, it was nothing obvious, just discernment.
To help us understand the subtle, underlying “dna” I’m talking about, I want to use chicken broth as an analogy. Chicken broth doesn’t have pieces of meat in it, but it is made from chicken. Chicken is there whether you can see it or not. That’s what I mean by “dna”. There is nothing obvious, but it’s there!
I believe there is an unholy spirit, a present darkness (Ephesian 6) in the “dna” of most of the media coming into our homes, cars, phones, and entertainment mediums. It’s twisted into the fibers of words, images, messages, and motives. It’s in the idols we’ve created, the voices and influence we exalt. If we aren’t fleeing from it and rejecting it as foolishness, it becomes a part of our thoughts and decision-making process. It will invade our lives.
What are we watching? What are we doing with our eyes? Will we meet Jesus’ gaze?
I BELIEVE this “dna” is coming from the entertainment industry, Hollywood. No, I don’t think all things Hollywood are evil. That’s not the point. What is most concerning is the idol we make out of this industry and that the industry is founded, at least partly, on the love of money. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. That should be alarming.
Additionally, consider the influence that Hollywood has over other powers in our nation (and beyond): news, broadcasting, fashion, politics, education, medicine and health care, and religion. Yes, even Christianity. This “dna,”/force (vortex), carries messages counter to the kingdom of heaven, and it pulls at our hearts. It wants to be our treasure.
Here is one example of the subtleties and influence that I see. Pornographic material labeled as pornography, rated X, or Mature is easy to sort out. But over the years, the qualifications for these labels have lessened. What was once labeled pornography is now common in most movies, television, and advertisements. We have to understand that it doesn’t matter what the industry rates it. It doesn’t matter that it’s 10 seconds instead of a full-length movie. Watching other people in sexual activity is pornography, and, friends, 1 second of it is too much for our eyes. Be on guard. It pops up in the most innocent places. That’s not a coincidence or a broken internet filter. It’s in the “dna” of media–it’s in the broth. Don’t let it have your attention because our eyes are the lamp to our bodies (heart, soul, mind, and strength).
That’s just one example.
God is jealous for our eyes! Can you hear him asking, “Will you meet my gaze? Will you be my bride?”
Consider these questions. Is the content of the media we are watching, regardless of medium? Is this lustful, manipulative, conniving, and slanderous content? Does it pass the Philippians 4:18 test? We did this in part one, but let’s continually ask for discernment and the Holy Spirit’s help. If he says, “Flee from it,” then flee.
As we get closer to Jesus’ return, the chasm between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness will only grow. The dark will get darker, but light only grows in brilliance and glory. I’m not trying to start a riot or stir up fear with these posts. I am sounding an alarm. There is a war on our eyes (and ears). Wake up, be ready, and shelter in Jesus. The name of the Lord is a strong tower where we can run and be safe (Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 61:2-3).
Quickly, here are three things I believe sheltering in Jesus looks like:
- Detachment from the world and abiding in the True Vine (John 15).
- Greater depths of discernment to recognize falsehoods.
- Fascination with Jesus and the kingdom of Heaven. Actually, our primary defense is being fascinated with Jesus and his kingdom. Detachment and discernment are by-products of that fascination.
Jesus! We will meet your gaze! You’re so much better!
Take a minute and meditate on this apostolic prayer Paul prays over the church. Look at it with your eyes, the lamp to your body, and let it feed your spirit.
Ephesians 1:17-23
[Paul’s prayer]…that the Father of glory may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens—far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.
Brave Sparrow 