Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

When I was a young child, I was afraid of the dark, just like many children. So, my parents allowed me to turn the hallway light on when I went to bed. One night, my brother did not want the light on, so he got up and turned it off. Then, I got up and turned it back on. This led to us standing at opposite ends of the hallway, taking turns switching the light on and off. At one point, when it was my brother’s turn to switch the light off, he didn’t flip the switch but just loudly said the word, “Click!” and, since I was expecting him to switch the light off, and was into a routine, I am the one who switched the light off instead of him. I quickly switched the light back on and, with an irritated tone, I hollered, “Danny!” My parents, who were watching the whole time, thought it was hilarious and laughed along with my brother. But, then, they told Dan to leave the light on, and for us both to go back to bed.

This is a funny story that I can laugh at now. But, it is also a good example of how children will often imitate the things they see. My brother had seen this light-switch routine on a Looney Tunes cartoon called, “The Windblown Hare.” He saw it, thought it was funny, and then decided to try it out on me. It obviously worked.

This reminds me of how we need to be careful about the things we set before our eyes, and our children’s eyes, because of the kind of impact they can have on us. When we eat healthy foods, our bodies will function better than when we eat junk foods, right? It’s the same with our eyes. When we look at something, our brain makes an image of it, and that image stays with us. We might become comfortable with these images, and may even begin to imitate what we have seen. If the images are worthy of praise, they are pleasing to the Lord. If they are worthless, they may end up having a negative impact on our Spiritual lives. 

WORTHLESS:  having no use, importance, or effect : having no good qualities

That's why it says, in Philippians 4:8 to think on the things that are worthy of praise:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

So, I encourage you to take notice of the things you purposefully set before your eyes (or your children’s eyes) this week - the movies and TV shows you watch, the video games you play, and even the things you read - and see if these things would be worthy of praise (i.e. pleasing to God). Are they being helpful to your Spiritual life, or are they being harmful? 

O Be Careful, Little Eyes
Children's Hymn - Author Unknown

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see