What we allow into our eyes and ears eventually settles into the heart. Scripture continually reminds us that these are the gateways of the soul — and whatever enters will shape who we become.
Jesus taught:
“Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
— Matthew 15:18 (KJV)
What fills the heart eventually overflows into our words, our actions, and our character.
Guarding the Gates
There comes a time to turn off the movie, silence the worldly noise, and feed on the Word — because what Jesus Christ has done for us is worth every spare moment.
Jesus also warned us about the influence of the eye:
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”
— Matthew 6:22 (ESV)
“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”
— Matthew 6:23 (ESV)
Darkness grows when we continually take in what corrupts the soul.
Peter describes those who have:
“Eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin… hearts trained in greed.”
— 2 Peter 2:14 (ESV)
Remember What You Have Seen
Moses reminded Israel that what they saw mattered — because it shaped their obedience and their memory of God’s works:
“Keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen… make them known to your children and your children’s children.”
— Deuteronomy 4:9 (ESV)
Glory for Those Who Train Their Eyes, Ears, and Heart
Paul writes:
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined — what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
There is a spiritual dimension to this. Jesus says:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation 2:7 (ESV)
But a heart filled with the world cannot hear the Spirit clearly.
Let the Light In
Guard the gates.
Guard the heart.
Let the light in.
For the Lord will one day reveal everything hidden in darkness:
“He will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)