Stay Single

I took a bible study class last week; I shared from the book of Mathew chapter 6:22-24. I was particular about bringing my listeners to being confident in God and not wavering at any point as God does not accept 99% devotion. However, I saw it in a different dimension from what I had prepare to share. From this particular potion of the scripture, I was able to see why it seems difficult to know the mind of God on confusing situations in our lives. . I am sure it will bless and help you too.

“The lamp of the body is the eye, if therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light” Matt 6:22

Jesus was teaching on concentrating on God by completely putting one’s trust in Him. The preceding verses reveals how Jesus gave a charge on how to lay up treasure in heaven where thieves do not break in and steal. He described how the heart is central to what really matters to men. Then, the scripture above in verse 22 came up. The scripture was giving more meaning to the subject matter on ground. So, in this verse we are considering, Jesus says the lamp of the body is the eye… the central point which was described before this verse as the “heart” is now being used symbolically as the “eye”. Remember how Proverbs 4:23 describes the heart?

“Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it”

So, the eye being used in that scripture is still referring to the heart, which is where the conscious decision of man takes place. Now, it further says “if the eye is single, the whole body will be full of light”.

Light in this scripture is also figurative. The light Jesus speaks of is a pointer to direction: knowing what, when and how to do; having a specific knowing by the power which is at work in you. This is the reason He chose to live inside of man by the Holy Spirit which will lead you into all truth. So, light is a direction which is summed up in one man, Jesus.

“I am the light of the world; He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John8:12

So, light speaks of direction which is as a product of having the person of God within. It is with this light every darkness (confusion) is cleared off.

Going back to the scriptures… “The lamp of the body is the eye, if therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light”. This directly means the lamp of the body is the heart, if the heart is single (good, concentrated, fixed on God) your whole body will be full of light (direction, understanding).

The prerequisite for not being in darkness over any issue is to make sure your heart is single (fixed on Him). At any moment you have options to waiting on God, trusting in Him, then, your heart is no longer single which leads to confusion and more confusion.

“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness…”

It’s that simple. When your trust becomes divided, you lose out on what God wants to get across to you. Now, the next verse gives a clearer picture to this:

“no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” 24

It all points to being single in your heart. Trusting totally in God, that is the way to seeing light.

Are you troubled on any situation and the heat is turning out heavily on you? The solution is in staying singe in your heart; complete trust in Him, and there you will find light over all that confuses you. A heart that is single does not fall consistently into worry.

Keep your heart single despite the competition for its attention and you’d see His light shine.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge him in all thy ways and he will make your path straight” Prov 3:5

Are you thinking of helping yourself out? That will cause more damage, remaining single in your heart in Him is the way to excellence. Stay single!

Have a great week!

Be Innovated

Olufemi Ibitoye