Holy Boldness

But to take it further, a single eye is the ability to focus on one’s purpose and not be distracted by anything else. A single eye results in contentedness. One of the things that causes a person to have an evil eye is envy. Envy happens when one is dissatisfied with one’s own life and starts looking at others and wanting what they have. This happens a lot among people who are in ministry. A person starts seeing another person’s grace in operation and starts wanting their gifting or ministry. That is why comparing ourselves with others is such a trap. Adam Clark writes , “Jesus says if the eye is “single” the whole body will be full of light. The Greek word for single is “aplous”/ Απλους , simple, uncompounded; i.e. so perfect in its structure as to see objects distinctly and clearly, and not confusedly, or in different places to what they are, as is often the case in certain disorders of the eye; one object appearing as two or more - or else in a different situation, and of a different color to what it really is.” 17 What is the reward again? A body full of light! This is a metaphor meaning clarity and stability in the totality of a person’s life. A full body of light means that all things are in cooperation and effectiveness. Every part is in its proper function and operation. If the eye is single one’s life will be unified and fully synchronized in its rhythm. It will be clearly laid out before you and rightly related to all other things. A simple life is a focused life. Be about the one thing and all other things will find their lane. You will find yourself on a path that is full of vision, directed, intuitive, invigorated and purposed. When a man is right with the Lord and His focus is on serving the Lord, his way is made clear and even His enemies are at peace with Him. What constitutes a bad eye or an evil eye? If the state of the eye is bad this state of the eye is termed,“poneros” πονηρος evil, i.e. diseased or defective. An evil eye is not focused but distracted. It cannot seize upon anything because it cannot make up its mind. An evil eye is a result of not being able to trust the Lord so it starts looking for other solutions to satisfy itself. It is given over to the fear of man, and there fore is looking for man’s favor as a source of provision. It cannot focus because it is anxious and full of tension and seeks to promote its own A Body Full of Light

Clark, Adam (1886) Clark’s Commentary of the New Testa

17

ment The Methodist Book Concern p. 90

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