The sixth chapter of Matthew is a powerful set of words. Among other things it contains what we call the Lord’s prayer. More broadly seen is the warning Jesus gives against coveting the praise of others or coveting the possession of things. This brings into question a person’s motive for the how he operate in life. Are motives pure or are they in possession of ulterior purposes? In the midst of these powerful observations from our Lord are the two verses cited above.
We have presented before us the question of a single eye or an evil eye. The eye is how we take in the environment around us. If we are accurately and honestly enlightened by what we see, we can intellectually respond in a truthful manner. However, if our eye is diseased and unable to give us accurate information, we will deal with the world prejudicially in favor of what could bring us harm.
The comparison between a single eye and an evil eye is the same as a comparison between health and sickness. The Lord is not talking about having a choice between just one or having two physical eyes. If we have a healthy vision, our way of life will be productive and favorable. If our understanding of God, his Word, and the world is imbalanced, so shall we live. To be spiritually and intellectually healthy is enlightening. To lack revelation as a lantern would brighten our walk before others, we will be wondering about in darkness, in confusion, in an unhealthy manner.
Jesus puts on each of us the responsibility to choose how we live. He warns us that we cannot vacillate between two decisions, between two ways of life, between two banners of devotion. Either we make a specific decision to walk spiritually and intellectually healthy or we automatically wonder about unaware of what is fully available for happily living today and in eternity.
So, this entire chapter is about motives. It is about how we express those motives or apply them to our daily walk. What do we value most of all? We cannot bow to the pressures of society while claiming to be devoted to God at the same time. A positive choice would be to center on God and what he provides for us knowing that all that happens and all that we have comes out of his love. Either motives are evil or good. Whichever we choose we must live with.
Christian Writer 