Years ago, my mom-in-love had surgery to remove the worsening cataracts in her eyes. The ophthalmologist had told her she’d have to wait until the cataracts got big and bad enough to take them out. I suppose they had their reasons, but none of us in the family knew why such an annoying condition needed to be prolonged. My mother-in-love  definitely didn’t appreciate a longer time of worsening vision!

Finally the day came—the cataracts came out through successful surgery, and all of us rejoiced, especially “mom”! She was literally “walking and leaping and praising God”, and not afraid of bumping into anything in the process!

“Everything is so clear!”, she declared. “I had forgotten how things are supposed to look. It’s so wonderful to be able to see for real again!” Renewed vision restored her confidence and competence.

So much so, that she wrote a song titled, “No More Cataracts!”, to the tune of “That’s Amore!” (She’s Italian). She stated, “I hope I never get cataracts again!” She didn’t want to return to that state of increasing fog and darkness.

Indeed. None of us in our right minds prefer fog and darkness over clarity and light. At least not in the physical realm. And yet how many of us put up with fog and darkness in the spiritual realm?

In Lk. 11:34-36, Jesus told His disciples (and us):

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

What does it mean, then, for our “eye” to be healthy? Spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, it means to think and focus on that which is “true, …honorable, …right, … pure, …lovely, …good report, …excellent and …worthy of praise…” Phil. 4:8

It also means not to take in, focus on, or ponder anything that doesn’t fit any of these descriptions! Things such as gossip, envy, obscenity, divisive speech, gross stuff, information meant to scare and depress us, etc.

Not that we can or should ignore all news and current events. Just don’t intentionally seek out trashy stuff and bad news, let alone keep it in front of the “eyes” of our heart and mind! Yes, garbage exists, but sane people throw it out!

Then we need to remember that not all of what goes on in our heads and hearts comes from the world or ourselves. There’s a whole unseen spiritual realm around us. The good part is the Lord speaks to us through His Word, prayer, creation, and His people. The bad part is His enemy, also our enemy, is doing all he can to “pull the wool over our eyes”, as well as ruin and distort our spiritual vision.

When we allow darkness in, it muddies our vision of God, life, relationships, our own condition, etc. We get spiritual myopia (nearsightedness), cataracts, glaucoma, infections, and “presbyopia” (dimmed vision). Then we can’t discern truth from falsehood, or right from wrong, let alone long-term implications of our actions. As in the physical realm, when we can’t see clearly, we’re more likely to stumble in the dark spiritually, messing up everything in our lives as a result.

How can we avoid this?

1. Recognize when our “eyesight” isn’t normal—Blurry, cloudy, distorted, and spotty views and understanding of reality is not how things should or can look. I once read of Pres. Ronald Reagan, who in childhood thought blurry vision was normal, until age ten, when his school nurse recommended he get his eyes examined. Upon discovering he was severely nearsighted, he was fitted for glasses, and once he put them on, “he was surprised to discover that trees had leaves and that butterflies existed — neither of which he had ever been able to see.” (Deaver, Michael. [Interview]. Charlie Rose Show. KQED-TV, San Francisco, 14 June 2004.) 

“But whoever does not have them [necessary character qualities] is nearsighted and blind…” 2 Pet. 1:9 (brackets mine)

2. Conduct regular and frequent spiritual-vision examinations, so as to catch any “diseases” early and correct them. We can do self-examination with the Holy Spirit as our eye doctor, and/or with the help of close friends and wise leaders who know us well.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24

3. Watch out for enemy tactics— Due to the spiritual battle we’re in, the enemy will use circumstances, our own preconceived ideas, and personal desires to darken and distort our vision. Stay aware of this– things may not be as they appear to us. Develop discernment through listening to the Lord, and reading and meditating on His Word. 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:2

4. Guard our spiritual eyesight—use “Son-glasses”—the mind of Christ and developing His character, to protect ourselves from visionary diseases caused by the world, the flesh, and the devil. (Phil. 2:5-8)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Gal. 5:22

Keeping our spiritual eyes healthy requires going to our spiritual “ophthalmologist”, to keep the His light shining brightly in our hearts, values, and actions. Have you had your eyes checked lately? It’s great for our souls to sing “No more cataracts!”