PM Scripture Reading: Matthew 6.19-24

Brent T. Willey

“The Lamp of the Body”

(The Problem With Double Vision)

Matthew 6.22-23

Introduction:

1. Jesus emphasizes our need for clear spiritual vision, so as to not be misdirected by double vision. He contrasts the “good eye” with the “bad eye.”
2. There are both immediate and remote applications.

I. AN ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT

1. The Good Eye (verse 22):
   1. “If therefore your eye is good…” [Haplous: “properly, folded together, i.e., single; figuratively, clear” (Strong)].
   2. “Your whole body will be full of light” [Photeinos: “illuminated” (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown)].
2. The Bad Eye (verse 23):
   1. “But if your eye is bad…” [Poneros: “evil, i.e., diseased or defective” (Clarke)].
   2. “Your whole body will be full of darkness” [Skoteinos: “opaque” (Strong); “full of darkness” (Thayer)].

II. SOME SPIRITUAL APPLICATIONS

1. The immediate application (vs. 19-24). Two dichotomies:
   1. Vs. 19-21: Treasures on earth or in heaven.
   2. V. 24: Serving two masters- God or mammon.
2. Some additional dichotomies:
   1. Christ’s doctrine or men’s (Matt. 15.7-9; Col. 2.8)
   2. Christ’s church or men’s (Matt. 16.18; Eph. 4.4; 1 Cor. 12)
   3. True worship or vain worship (John 4.23-24; Matt. 15.9)
   4. Transforming or conforming (Rom. 12.1-2)

Conclusion: Spiritual double vision is perilous! What do you see?