November 2 – By the Eyes Sin Rushes Into the Heart

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6

“Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:14

Thus one sin always begets another.

• By the eyes it rushes into the heart;
• from the heart it proceeds into the mouth, hands, and feet;
• from us it is transferred to others;
• and thus we go on sinning and falling deeper and deeper.

Therefore we must set a strict guard over our eyes and ears; be very cautious and resist the least beginnings of sin, not making light of any. For the least spark of worldly lust being entertained and cherished, we eat of the forbidden tree standing everywhere before us; and thereby a great fire may be kindled.

But having always our eyes fixed, in all our conduct, upon the presence of God in Christ, so as to walk continually in the light and directly to quell the least inward motions of evil, they will never break forth into gross outward sins; but we shall daily grow in grace.

May the Lord enable me to practice this good lesson and watch Himself continually over my heart, eyes, lips, and all other senses and powers of my nature. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. They overcome him by the blood of the Lamb.

With my whole heart I seek Your face;
O let me never stray
From Your commands, O God of grace,
Nor tread the sinner’s way.

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)