You Are What You Eat

We Become What We Observe

As I was reading a devotion from Min. David Wilkerson today, it reminded me of something God had shown me before.  Min. Wilkerson wrote the following:

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the  Lord."
(2 Corinthians 3:18).

We become what we observe! The focus of our  attention spreads its influence all through our lives.

What we behold with our spiritual eyes obsesses us — it takes over!  Paul chose to be obsessed with Christ; the Savior became the sole object of his thinking, his preaching, his doctrine.

This is a great spiritual truth which I am not sure many Christians appreciate.

"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." Psalm 40:6-8

"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." Hebrews 10:5-7

These two texts are about Jesus Christ.  In them, the phrase "My ears you have opened." in one verse is transposed with "a body hast thou prepared for me."  These verses confirm what Min. Wilkerson shared above, namely that we become what we observe.

The one to whom you have your ears attuned to hear is the one whose spirit your body is prepared to receive.  The one for whom your ears are "opened" is the one whose "will" your body is being prepared to obey.  You are being conformed into the image of that upon which you meditate.

There is a children's song echoing this truth which goes something like, "Be careful little ears what you hear.  Be careful little eyes what you see."   Yet, this is not just a message for children.  What are we putting before us each day?  What are we listening to? Watching? What are we feeding our souls?  This tells us what we are being changed into.

If we are focused on the world (and the things in the world), then we will be conformed into the image of the world.  If our eye be single on Jesus Christ, then we will be transformed into the very image of the living Son of God.

Is there some sin which easily besets you?  Some vice from which you struggle to be free?  Some temptation you find it hard to overcome?  Find comfort in the inspired words of Scripture:

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Psalm 119:9-16

How can we cleanse our ways?  By staying in God's word and taking heed to it.  Remember, we cannot change ourselves, but the power of God can!  We need the washing of the water of the word continually.  God has promised to cleanse us from wicked desires and replace them with His own desires so that we will begin to long for that which is pleasing to Him...and He will perform it as we submit to Him! (Psalm 37:4)

We are being changed from glory to glory as we behold the face of God in the mirror of His word.  Don't be discouraged and don't give up.  It is the voice of the Accuser which brings condemnation (Romans 8:1; Revelation 12:10).  Also, don't try to accomplish this walk in the power of your own fleshly efforts.  Look to Christ and let Him complete the perfect work He has begun in you.  As my pastor has often said, "Do the mechanics."  Study, fast, pray, and meditate on Him.  He is more than faithful to do the rest.