You Have Eyes To See, And Ears To Hear?

[JLB]

Amen, Brother. All of this all ties together with Scripture as you have so aptly noted.

How you do this seems like a great way to start. We would have to meditate on His Word and exercise our spiritual senses. I hardly do that at all because of my circumstances. (excuse). I'm going to start making time to do just this. I have to.

I should do a fast also. It's been a long time and has been on my heart to do so.

Boy oh boy, we humans sure do learn slow. It would've been nice if they hadn't lied to me my entire life.
I'm gonna pray for a sanctified imagination.

It will require some work on your part.

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Taming the ever revolving thought life, and bringing it into captivity, subjecting it in obedience to our spirit man where Christ dwells within us, is the work of being still and knowing or experiencing [that He is] God.

I use scripture to do this.

I will quietly say under my breath.. I love you Lord, with all of my mind.

Then a few times in my mind until my over active imagination and mind is forced to think on loving the Lord and it begins to quiet down.

Then I will be still for a few moments focusing my attention on the Lord and when my mind try's to wander, I bring it back with ... I love you Lord with all of my mind. I love you Lord with all of my heart....

You can meditate on any scripture this way to make your mind think on what you want it to think on, and not what it wants to think on.

Especially before bed, for a peaceful nights sleep.


Peace is associated with quiet.

Switching off the info of distracting things of this world, and focusing or having your mind stayed upon God, is a wonderful spiritual exercise.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3


JLB

 

[smaller]

The only question is DO WE SEE and HEAR as Jesus instructed us to see and hear?

I got the above out of another thread but didn't want to derail the good conversation going on there, and it being such a good question, deserves its own thread...that said:

I've wondered about this before. It almost seems like it was one of Jesus's fav sayings, for it is used very much throughout both the OT & NT.

We have eyes, but can we see? We have ears, but can we hear? What's that mean exactly?

In order to actually see and hear, as Jesus proposes, we first may realize that we don't. IF we think we see and hear it all, we are in fact deceived. We all see in part, and as through a glass, darkly. That is the first baby step into hearing and seeing. A step of truthfulness.

Do any of us hear and see Perfectly? Uh, no. This automatically places us quite firmly into the seat of partial hearing and partial sight. Can we even accept that? Most likely, not, in most cases.

There are some hard things that scripture has to say to us. Things that we can not hear and can not accept.

 

[Edward]

Perhaps it is our ability to see that keeps us from walking in love.

The serpent tempted Eve by saying you shall not die, but in the day that you eat there of, your eyes shall be opened, and you shall know good and evil. When Adam ate his eyes were opened, and he knew that he was naked. When we read the scriptures, our eyes are opened to sin and death, as was Adam's.

Yes, our flesh eyes! Because we believe what we see, a natural reaction for us.

Perhaps if we first get us a picture in our minds eye of the heavenly realm, then our mind is more readied to see what really is...our true reality as spiritual beings in a natural world.

Every testimony that I've ever listened to or read of people who visited the heavenly realm (kingdom realm) say the same thing...that it seems more real than the natural.

 

[Edward]

It will require some work on your part.

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Taming the ever revolving thought life, and bringing it into captivity, subjecting it in obedience to our spirit man where Christ dwells within us, is the work of being still and knowing or experiencing [that He is] God.

I use scripture to do this.

I will quietly say under my breath.. I love you Lord, with all of my mind.

Then a few times in my mind until my over active imagination and mind is forced to think on loving the Lord and it begins to quiet down.

Then I will be still for a few moments focusing my attention on the Lord and when my mind try's to wander, I bring it back with ... I love you Lord with all of my mind. I love you Lord with all of my heart....

You can meditate on any scripture this way to make your mind think on what you want it to think on, and not what it wants to think on.

Especially before bed, for a peaceful nights sleep.


Peace is associated with quiet.

Switching off the info of distracting things of this world, and focusing or having your mind stayed upon God, is a wonderful spiritual exercise.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3


JLB

That's almost exactly how I used to do my morning reading when I lived in Colorado. First thing in the morning the house is quiet, I'm fresh from sleep...it seemed easy to keep my mind on the Lord.

Not so much now, different house, chaos begins in the early am.

No wonder the Lord speaks to people more at night and through dreams. Captive audience that has no distractions. No arguments.

When I go to drive somewhere is a good time for me to spend time with the Lord. I almost always go alone and the Lord always rides with me.

 

[stovebolts]

The only question is DO WE SEE and HEAR as Jesus instructed us to see and hear?

I got the above out of another thread but didn't want to derail the good conversation going on there, and it being such a good question, deserves its own thread...that said:

I've wondered about this before. It almost seems like it was one of Jesus's fav sayings, for it is used very much throughout both the OT & NT.

We have eyes, but can we see? We have ears, but can we hear? What's that mean exactly?

Personally, I think it means of a spiritual nature. Our spiritual senses. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and our flesh eyes and ears, are fleshy and of the world.

What do you think?

If it speaks of spiritual eyes & ears, is there something that we can do to exercise and cultivate them to get better?

I think it is spiritual.
We know that God cares for those suffering, including the widow and the orphan. So much of Jesus ministry was tending to those who were lost and sick.

We often miss the hurt in others, but especially when things are going well in our own life. However, when we begin to think that we've earned our priveledge, it's easy to look down on people who are suffering and think that they deserve their situation.

Having spiritual eyes could include dropping the judgment and seeing things through compassion and understanding outside our own point of view... New skin to feel what others feel... Etc

 

[ezrider]

Having spiritual eyes could include dropping the judgment and seeing things through compassion and understanding outside our own point of view... New skin to feel what others feel... Etc

Interesting thought, especially when the scriptures promised that he would take away our heart of stone and give us an heart of flesh.

 

[Wrg1405]

Having spiritual eyes could include dropping the judgment and seeing things through compassion and understanding outside our own point of view... New skin to feel what others feel... Etc

Very well put my friend.

John 14:9
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

The eyes of those that walked with Jesus at that time were eyes that just saw a man called Jesus. When Jesus rose from the dead those eyes were changed and now they could see the Father.

Those who now see Jesus see the Father and the eyes that were fleshy now have a new pair of glasses. They help us to see more clearly, with more clarity. At times when the glasses don't focus properly when we seek the optician he gives us a new pair, that brings back the focus. God is the optician and every time we need a new pair of glasses he gives them. Then our focus comes back. Love your neighbour, be like Jesus, the new pair of specs helps us to walk that walk.

 

[eddif]

John 16:7 KJV
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

All things.

Mississippi redneck
eddif

 

[Corn Pop]

Perhaps it is our ability to see that keeps us from walking in love.

The serpent tempted Eve by saying you shall not die, but in the day that you eat there of, your eyes shall be opened, and you shall know good and evil. When Adam ate his eyes were opened, and he knew that he was naked. When we read the scriptures, our eyes are opened to sin and death, as was Adam's.

Well yea. If you don't know the scriptures you walk blinded in sin like the masses, but when you read the scriptures the eyes are open to sin.

Its like a sin sin situation.

If I don't know the commandments I walk in the sin blindly, and if I know the commandments I'm guilty under them. Guilty conscience.

Dang, its a lose lose situation. Lol.

Thank God for Christ. What a life saver. True definition of a life saver.

 

[eddif]

More of the story.
Speaking that we might hear.
John 16:13 KJV
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:

But revelation is progressive.
Leading up to sight:
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

See with physical eye, then in the future through Holy Spirit eye of understanding.

17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

The disciples were as slow as we sometimes are. They finally received the Holy Spirit.

18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

The book of Job:
I heard of you with the hearing of ear, but now my eyes see thee (from memory).

There are more cranial nerves associated with seeing than with hearing.

Eyes to see and ears to hear come by the Holy Spirit.

There is more in the following verses.

eddif

 

[Corn Pop]

That first verse seems like the holy spirit is under authority as its speaks not of itself but what it hears that's what it speaks.

Can anyone explain the context of it. If the Holy Spirit is God then why is it under authority?, because God is spirit, so he cant be under his own authority.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Purity seems to be the secret to 'seeing' God:

"22“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matthew 6:22-23 NASB)

"8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8 NASB)

 

[Chopper]

Yes I think it's of spiritual things. Jesus said and did many things his disciples just didn't get, not just the disciples but the religious leaders of the time. Funny thing is there are a few accounts in the NT where Jesus met with people whose eyes were opened and ears heard and they were not of the religious order or Jewish.

The adulteress woman, the centurion of whom Jesus said "Not even in Israel have I seen such faith"

We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears to hear and see who God really is and how much he loves us.

To me the purpose is twofold.

As God opens our eyes and ears to see the real him it draws us closer to him. As we draw closer to him he breaks down barriers and false perceptions about him and ourselves, he starts to heal us emotionally and spritiually, as he draws close to us we draw close to him. He teaches us how to treat and love people.

Such people are fellow beleivers and non believers.

Jesus said to the adultress woman, Does no one condemn you, then neither do I go and sin no more"
Notice he does not say "Go sin no more and I won't condemn you no more" his love and non condemnation came first.

When our eyes can see and ears can hear we can be the same. Love people where they are, not look at their sin and think we are better, be a Good Samaritan.

We have a saying over here "There but for the grace of God go I"

That is true but we need to remember because of the grace God I will go there.

This is an interesting thread here Edward, my old friend. Eyes to see and ears to hear....Over the years, I've met some folk who just couldn't understand the Scriptures. I remember a Brother (Brian) who told me that when he reads the Bible, he doesn't understand a lot of it and as a result, he doesn't read it anymore. Even when the Pastor preaches, he doesn't understand.

I questioned his Salvation, and he had a good testimony. At the time, I was holding an adult Bible study in my home every week. I asked him to come, and we would lay hands on him and I would pray for him that the Holy Spirit would cause him to understand. I call it a "spiritual enlightenment". He was a little hesitant because I believe all the Holy Spirit gifts are for today, and he doesn't.

Apparently, his need to understand the Scriptures, far out weighed any objection. The following Thursday night, Brian arrived at my home. I had already told the folk who attend what was up. Before I began to teach the message I'd prepared, I thought it necessary to Baptize Brian in the Holy Spirit. I explained to Brian what the Baptism was all about and he agreed to give it a try.

I don't know what I prayed over him. About six people laid hands on Brian, I anointed his head with oil, and asked Jesus to Baptize Brian into His Spirit. The next Sunday morning, Brian was right at the front door of the church building to speak with me. He was so excited that he was speaking so fast that I had trouble keeping up with him. He said something like "I've never felt this good for a long time. I can understand the Bible now". Brian was so excited, he kept telling his friends, "I can understand the Bible!"

Praise the Lord, and His Spirit. Part of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is, "spiritual enlightenment".

 

[ezrider]

Isaiah 29:9-14
Stay yourselves, and wonder;
cry ye out, and cry:
they are drunken, but not with wine;
they stagger, but not with strong drink.
For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep,
and hath closed your eyes:
the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed,
which men deliver to one that is learned,
saying, Read this, I pray thee:
and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned,
saying, Read this, I pray thee:
and he saith, I am not learned.
Wherefore the Lord said,
Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,
and with their lips do honour me,
but have removed their heart far from me,
and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people,
even a marvellous work and a wonder:
for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

 

[ezrider]

2 Corinthians 3:12-16
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

 

[eddif]

Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

luke 24:39 KJV
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

An eagle has to wait on up drafts to carry him to the heights of greatest potential energy. The eagle eye must also be sharp to see where to go from this height.

We try so hard to flap our wings to gain altitude.

Now walking and running are closer to the human existence. We strive toward the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. I suppose we wait to walk and run too. We do a lot of crawling before we walk, and running comes later on still.

The power to walk, run and fly are all a gift.

Pentecost is the power day:
For the Jews
For the Gentiles their Pentecost day came too

Help me lord to adjust these welding lenses to approiate strengths.

Rednecks are just plain strange
eddif

 

[Edward]

e try so hard to flap our wings to gain altitude.

Yep, lol...and it usually comes when we're not trying.

The power to walk, run and fly are all a gift.

I dreamed once that Jesus was teaching me to fly. He had me by the ankles and we were flying and He was talking & teaching as we flew...

Rednecks are just plain strange

Maybe...but that's the sort that He uses...