The apostle Paul says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18 NIV).
For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:23-25 NLT
In other words, we cannot give up, but must continue to be people of action who fix our eyes on the unseen, believing in and having assurance of HIS existence.
The measure of adversity we face today and in the future, is great, but it is also indicative of the incredible opportunity available to believers. To see through the tough stuff and be able to change the spiritual climate in our homes, our places of work, our families, and our church. As believers we have an extraordinary hope with the Holy Spirit to move forward in the tough stuff and experience Gods plan. With the Holy spirit we have a powerful weapon to see with spiritual eyesight. Just like we train our eyes to decipher what we are physically looking at, we can train our spiritual eyes to see through our circumstances like we never have before.
With our physical eyes, we can see the natural world, but with our spiritual eyes we can see the kingdom of God! Spiritual eyesight can give Christians an advantage to see in the heavenly realm that unbelievers cannot see.
In the Old Testament there is a story about Elisha and his servant. His servant was struck with fear when he saw they were surrounded by the enemy of King Arams army.
"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17
You see, Elisha could see in the spirit and see that they were indeed protected! Glory to God! God’s army was far larger than the army of King Arams. He could see the plans of the Lord and had no fear for victory was his. Elisha prayed for his servants’ spiritual eyes to be opened so he could also have faith and see they were protected! But at the same time, Elisha also asked God that the enemy’s eyes are blinded. You better believe that God pulled through and blinded that army! What a victory.
Now looking at the New Testament, the Apostle Paul explains:
For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world (Satan). He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 GNB
For myself, my family, and my friends I want the light of Jesus to be shinning on us. I want him to illuminate greater knowledge and understanding of Gods glorious plan.
In order to see with spiritual eyes, we must walk by faith in our God. Trusting him always. For we live by faith, not by sight. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. ~ Hebrews 11:1-3 NLT
In the amplified version, faith is explained as "the conviction of our realities." Faith comprehends as fact, what cannot be experienced by the physical senses. Meaning, the more we can see those things in the spirit, that are unseen by our natural eyes, the greater our faith becomes. Faith is absolutely necessary to operate in the full giftings God has given us!
The faith Elisha had!
Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2 Kings 6:16
Elisha was already spiritually aware that God had surrounded them in protection. Elisha was not moved to fear because he was so anchored to God, his faith was powerful and because of that God allowed him to see in the spirit realm, to see they were protected. That is powerful! Imagine the battles that can be won when you have that much faith in God, and he gives you the gift of seeing in the spirit to fight against principalities.
Never go alone into battle. Suit up. Pray up. Fast and God's army will go with you. You are protected behind you and in front of you.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. ~ Ephesians 6:11-18 NIV
Growing into the giftings.
With the power of the Holy Spirit, faith, and because of the blood of Jesus and our redemption in HIM, God allows us to see what our natural eyes cannot; he allows us to see beyond the surface and into the reality of what they truly are according to God's plan, good works and good purposes for our lives.
The moment we enter into a new relationship with Jesus, we experience a new birth in spirit. Like a natural birth, this is a process. Labor pains start, this can take hours or days. The contractions are pushing and pressing down on the baby to ease it into the birth canal. This is so similar how we are pushed and pressed when Jesus is refining us to new growth. It is a painful but beautiful process. It doesn't happen all at once and thank God for that!
Gradually we are healed from our sins, traumas, and poor behaviors with repentance on our hearts and mercy from God. With each step forward with Jesus, he will open our spiritual eyes to see what we could not see before. With the beginning of sight, we start to use our spiritual sight. This brings understanding of the word in a much broader depth, width and highth, than it ever did before. There is SO much beauty in his word. It is SO rich with wisdom and instruction.
~ Meagan Renaud ~