Eyes Wide Open

 1 Corinthians 4:5, "So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due."

I noticed something this morning. I used to think that this verse was talking about "don't judge people for doing wrong."  I'm not so sure this is the intent of this verse.  I think it may be saying not to see someone and think they are "living right", because it ends by saying that God will praise them.  Not that God will condemn them.  There are some among all of us who are wolves dressed as sheep.   Whom do you hear?  Is what you hear from them the same as what you see?  Is what you see and hear from them the same as what others see and hear from them?  Are you praising a wolf and about to become their prey?  Do you see them with truth?  Do you see yourself with truth?

I often talk to my girls about watching who you are dating.  They need to keep their eyes wide open.  They may come to me and ask me about a certain guy, but I can only tell them what the guy is letting me see.   They are the ones who will be able to see him in his true colors, when no one else is looking.  In my opinion someone may be great.  They may have all of the right words.  They may seem to be doing all of the right things, but it is in those quiet moments after the crowd has gone that our true colors ring loud.

When Jason and I were dating I was watching him like a hawk.  He was in continual observation for anything that may give me a red flag.  (Which made me feel like a complete hypocrite, for look at all I had done, but I had learned the lessons the hard way about Not listening.)  I observed how others treated him and how they talked about him.  I wanted to walk into this relationship with my eyes wide open.  I needed to know that I was seeing him for what he truly was!  In my first marriage, I feel I walked into it with my eyes closed tight.  I fell head over heals in "lust" with him and I could no longer see what I needed to see.  I needed to see the truth for what was to come, but I couldn't.  Everything was blocked.  I didn't listen.  I didn't ask.  I didn't want to know and so when I got to the counter to pay for what I had picked, the price I paid was high.  You see, I judged him before the time was right and I slept with him before my eyes could see.

People my have all of the right words.  They may have all of the right things in their pockets, but it is in those moments when they think, "I'm comfortable," this is when their true colors shine.  If you cannot see them because your eyes have been closed, then that is when you are in danger of falling prey to their deceit. I am not just talking about the dating game, this goes throughout life.  We are being called to walk the walk we preach.  I live in a glass house.  I hold nothing secret. (I really hate saying things like this for I am about to be tested!!)  1 Corinthians does not end in verse 5, it goes much deeper.... " I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.  For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.  So I urge you to imitate me."  Dang now that one goes deep!  But isn't this supposed to be our goal as leaders.  As leaders our desire should be to tell others to follow us.  Our goal is to be like Christ to others, so they can walk in our footsteps.  


With that in mind, I must take a good look at myself.  Am I practicing what I preach?  Am I walking in such a way that others can follow me without falling prey to deceit?  "Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.  As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.  My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide," (4:2-4).  My conscience is clear, but everyone has to walk with their eyes wide open.  No matter who you are following, you must use all of your senses God has given you.  No one is called to follow blindly.  I still use this even in my marriage today.  It has not made me cynical, but it has given me truth and with truth their is true love.


As you walk through this life, who are you following?  Are your eyes wide open?  Are you seeing the truth in their lives?  Are you seeing the truth in your own life?  Who are you?