Beware the Evil Eye

Remember Gilligan’s Island? Growing up, I spent many yours watching re-runs of that classic (and very silly) sitcom. In spite of it's obvious silliness the show included allusions to Shakespeare, Melville, and Becket. Gilligan’s Island also explored many popular American idioms. Gilligan, the knave character, regularly took idiomatic expressions quite literally, to the amusement of generations of Americans.

Idioms are fruitful sources of humor. My wife has told me about her childhood affection for Amelia Bedelia, a children’s book character who made the same sort of jokes as Gilligan (taking idioms in a wooden literal sense). Not only do idioms provide us with fuel for comedy, they add color to our linguistic worlds. Phrases like: 

“Break a leg”

“Chew the fat”

“Face the music”

“On the ball”

“Let the cat out of the bag”

“Sleep tight”

“Toe the line”

Idioms provide variety, beauty, and clarity. At least, that is, until they don’t.

Idioms make sense when they’re born. Eventually they become so embedded in a language that they die. They lose their poignancy. If I tell you that I’m “under the weather” I suspect that you’ll not think of weather at all. You’ll not even notice the idiom. I might as well have simply said “I’m sick.” And so, new idioms are constantly being born to replace geriatric and deceased idioms. But what happens to the old idioms? Eventually, they fall out of circulation and then cease to communicate.

Take, for instance, the expression “swimmingly.” I think the original idea was that events were transpiring in a way that could be likened to swimming – smoothly, like through water. Only a couple of weeks ago I learned that the term (which until then was a regular part of my vocabulary) is basically obsolete. People no longer know what it means.

The Bible, being as ancient as it is, contains many obsolete idioms. We don’t understand them. And sometimes we don’t even recognize their presence. We’re a bit like Gilligan or Amelia Bedelia – taking things quite literally.

One example of an idiom we miss is the “evil eye” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 6:23.

"The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad [or evil], your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (Mat 6:22-23)

The verses immediately preceding teach the importance of laying up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. And the verse immediately following these verses warns against attempts at dividing ones loyalty between God and mammon (an Aramaic word for riches, here personified as a false God). So the context certainly leads us to expect that these two verses (22-23) relate to riches.

An old Hebrew idiom is hidden in this text. “The evil eye” was a way of referring to the sin of greed (Prov 28:22; 23:6; Mat 20:15; Mark 7:22 – visible in KJV). So it may be that the “clear” or “single” eye of verse 22 actually refers to generosity. And “the evil eye” of verse 23 refers to contrasting stinginess.

There remains some question about the “good” eye. It could refer to a singular focus on discipleship. It could also refer to generosity. However, there seems to be some consensus about “the evil eye” of verse 23 – it is a warning against greed.

“Clueing in” (or “catching on”) to this sort of ancient foreign idiom can be difficult. Some translators leave them be in all their befuddling glory while others attempt to adapt them so that their intended meaning will not be lost on the contemporary audience. Yet none of the translations I regularly use (KJV, NAS, NET, NIV, NAB, NKJ, ESV, NLT, NRS, RSV, YLT) gave any indication that covetousness might be in view in verse 23. This is a good example of why good bible commentaries are a valuable tool for Christian disciples.

Perhaps we’d better “hit the books.”

Bibliography:

Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

Carson, “Matthew” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

Hagner, “Matthew” Word Biblical Commentary

Are All Sins Equal?

It’s wrong to steal a pack of gum from the convenience store. It’s also wrong to eat a stranger’s face off. Though these two crimes belong to the same category – they are both crimes – they’re worlds apart. And the penalties our justice system metes out reflect this difference.

What about God’s perspective? Does God think chewing stolen gum is just as bad as chewing a stolen face? The answer may not be as obvious as you think.

God is, by definition, quite different from us. If God tells us that, from his perspective, all sins are equally grave then we should take him at his word – even if it violently contradicts our intuitions.

Many Christians believe that God does in fact consider all sins to be equal. After all, Jesus says that to look at a woman lustfully is to commit adultery with her in one’s heart (Matthew 5:28). And his brother, James, says that if one obeys the entire law but fails at one point he is guilty of breaking 

the whole law (James 2:10).

The conviction that all sins are equal in God’s sight (even if not in ours) comes up frequently in current controversies. Most of us recognize that Christians often fail in our aim to live holy lives. From that premise the argument goes something like: Since speaking unkind words to a spouse is on par with aborting a baby in God’s eyes then we should treat the two sins the same (i.e. with equal leniency).

If gossip and rape are equal then I believe we should consider gossip to be a very serious matter. After all, sin is sin. But what if they aren’t equal? What if our intuitions are right?

Different Punishments

You’ve heard the old expression, “an eye for an eye”? That comes from the Bible. The idea was that if a person lost an eye in a violent attack the offender was sentenced to lose an eye too. If a tooth was lost then a tooth was taken. The punishment was tailored to fit the crime.

In the Old Testament some sins were punished by death (Ex 21:16; Lev 20:10-12; 24:17; etc.) Others were punished by whipping or a fine (Deut 25:1-3; Ex 22:1-4; etc.). Before the perfect sacrifice came (Jesus) different sins also required different sacrifices (Lev 4-7).

The New Testament reveals that God still punishes some sins more severely than others (Heb 2:2-3; 10:28-29; 1 John 5:16). The practice of certain sins unequivocally precludes one from entering the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21).

If all crimes were the same in God’s eyes we could reasonably expect that all punishments would be the same. After all, we know that God is just. Since the punishments God issues differ it’s reasonable to think that, from his perspective, there are gradations of guilt – that some sins are worse than others.

Jesus’ Perspective

If God in the flesh said anything about this subject we ought to pay close attention. Jesus told us that some parts of the law were “weightier” than others (Mat 23:23), that some had committed a “greater sin” than others (John 19:11), and he warned that some will receive harsher sentences than others on the Day of Judgment (Luke 12:47-48). Jesus also spoke of one particular sin that could never be forgiven (Mat 12:31).

It sounds like Jesus considered some sins to be worse than others.

Relationships and Transgressions

All sins do not impact our relationships to the same degree. If, for instance, my wife steps on my toe out of anger the effect on our relationship would be minimal. If I then responded by giving her a concussion the effects would be much more severe. I contend that the same is true of our relationship with God – some sins hurt the relationship more than others.

Gossiping would damage my relationship with God (especially if I know better). Abortion, being the greater sin (especially if I know better), would do even greater damage.

This recognition, that some sins are more destructive to our relationships with God and neighbor, should impact the way we exhort (and even rebuke) one another. If I see a brother or sister sin a “small” sin I may only need to pray for them or offer a very mild and meek correction. If, on the other hand, I see my brother or sister engaging in a more serious offense I will need to respond in a way that fits the higher stakes of the situation. The goal is and must always be to preserve and protect sacred relationships.

Hate and Love

As Christians we have two great commandments – Love God and Love our Neighbors. There’s a flip side to that commandment. When our affections begin to line up with God’s we begin to not only love – we begin to hate. Loving my God and my neighbor means hating sin. That means the big sins and the little sins, the few sins and the many sins – it especially means my sins.

Since all sins are not equal we should hate some sins even more than others. But, since all sinners are equal (made in God’s image), we should love all sinners equally – sincerely and sacrificially. 

Meditation

We live busy lives. We’re inundated by news, music, phone calls, texts, Facebook, Twitter, and email – and that’s just the drive to work! Our down time includes TV and movies. Books are nice decorations. And we do intend to read them – when we have time. But for now, we’re busy.

How does all this distraction relate to our relationships with God and one another? I think you know the answer. Relationships suffer. Our speed produces an unparalleled quantity of life and an astoundingly empty quality of life. The best things in life are free – but they are not instant. Relationships take time.

The deep thinking and intimate communion necessary for holy living cannot happen without occasions of quiet and solitude. 

A life without meditation tends toward chaos and confusion. In the muddled haze of busyness our relationships suffer and our priorities become misaligned. Meditation helps us to shift our perspectives back into place. Deep peace of mind comes when we fix our focus on the things of God. Soon enough our lives and relationships begin to return to proper order. We see clearly again.

Think about it. When was the last time you sat in silence, pondering and praying, for as little as 10 minutes? Slow down. Read and ponder these verses: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; 19:14; 49:3; 63:5-6; 77:11-12; 104:33-34; 119: 15,23,27,48,78,97,99,148; 143:5; 145:5

The Victory of Defeat

Everyone here is at war from the beginning. From childhood we fight against our common enemy. He’s stronger than us, but still we fight. We don’t know him, but still we count him an enemy. After all, everybody knows what he’s out to do. He wants to control our lives. He wants to rule over us all. And so we all participate in the great rebellion. Well…almost all of us.

Some of us end up giving in. A few of us meet the Enemy and experience a crushing defeat. When confronted by his power we find ourselves broken. The few who have met the Enemy and been defeated by him discover something quite strange. The defeat is unique – it’s actually a victory.

When we learn that we’re on the wrong side of the great and ongoing cosmic conflict, laying down our weapons, we gain a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. We find that the One we were rebelling against actually deserves to be king. He’s the only ruler fit to govern the universe.


I’m glad to have lost this battle. This is one defeat I can rejoice about. I welcome him to rule over me and my family. Will you surrender too?

What does the Bible say about the Sabbath?

This is a paper I wrote in Bible College. I believe it includes all references to the Sabbath in the (Protestant) Bible. 

Sabbath

The Sabbath was a sign between Israel and God given to Israel through Moses (Neh. 9:14; Ex. 31:13,16-17; Ezek. 20:12, 20). No (human) Sabbath keeping is mentioned before the law of Moses. The rest of redemption is memorialized and anticipated in the Old Covenant (deliverance from Egypt in Deut. 5:15; Christ). There is no New Testament command to keep any particular day. However, the New Testament does warn against judging non-Sabbatarians (Rom. 14:5-6; Col. 2:16) and the keeping of special days (Gal. 4:10,11). Nevertheless, we are told that congregational worship is important and should not be forsaken (Heb. 10:25).

In examining the Scriptures pertaining to the Sabbath I found three universal principals. These principles underlie the specific applications that governed the nation of Israel. The Sabbath was a time for Israel to rest from their own works as a shadow of the time when the Israelites would keep a perpetual Sabbath. Many of these verses are specific applications of the universal principle of ceasing from their own works and allowing God to work in them.

Principle one: Teaching of the spiritual rest to come.

Gen. 2:2,3 (note that God blessed and sanctified the day through Moses because He “had rested”); Ex. 16:23-30; 20:10-12; 31:13-17; 34:21; 35:2,3; Lev. 16:31; 19:3,30; 23:32; 23:38,39; Num. 15:32; 28:9,10; 28:25; 31:24; Deut. 5:12-15; 16:8; Neh. 9:14; 10:31; 13:15-21; Isa. 1:13; 56:2-6; 58:13; Jer. 17:21-27; Ezek. 20:12-24; 22:8,26; 23:38; 44:24; 45:17; Amos 8:5; Hosea 2:11; Mat. 12:1-12; Mark 2:23-28; 3:2-4; Luke 6:1-9; 13:10-16; 14:1-5; 23:56; John 5:9-23; 9:14-16; Rom. 14:5-7; Col. 2:16, 17; Heb. 4:1-11;

Many of these verses demanded that no work be done. This is specific application of the universal principle that there was a time coming in which Israel would cease from her own ways and would allow God to work in her. Christ has now come and enabled us to live in the Spirit and cease from our own works.

Principle two: A day for congregational worship.

Ex. 2:16; 20:8; Lev. 19:30; 23:3,8,24; 24:8; 26:2; Deut. 16:8; Neh. 10:33; 13:22; Isa. 66:23; Ezek. 23:38; 46:1,3; Luke 4:16, 31; Acts 13:14,27,42,44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4

            The Israelites were commanded to meet on certain days for worship. These specific applications taught the universal principal that God expects congregational worship. To this day God expects His children to assemble and worship Him in holiness.

Principle three: A day of rest for workers and land. (Stewardship)

Ex. 20:10; 23:12; Lev. 23:8; 25:2-8 (stewardship); 25:8; 26:34,35, 43; Num. 28:25; Deut. 5:14; Mark 2:27

            God demanded that His people allow those who served them, both man and beast, to rest on the Sabbath. God also required Sabbaths for the land. These specific applications were based on the underlying universal principles of stewardship, and mercy. Employers should not inhibit their employees from worshiping God by requiring constant service. Likewise, the land should not be exploited to the point of being detrimental to the land’s health. 

7 Men

Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

These brief biographies offer us shining examples to follow. Rather than merely bemoaning our contemporary lack of heroes (or, if you prefer, role models) Metaxas aims to point us to 7 men worthy to become our heroes.

George Washington

His greatest act of integrity was his refusal to seek or accept the title of King. Without his self-control and example the American presidency would not be what it is today.

William Wilberforce

Not only did Wilberforce work tirelessly to abolish slavery, he also fought for the ‘Reformation of Morals’ in general. What did that mean? He aimed to end the widespread child labor, rampant sex trafficking (25 percent of single women in London were prostitutes in his day), bullbaiting, bearbaiting, public hangings (sometimes followed by public dissections), and alcoholism that plagued England. His Christian faith gave him a countercultural view of human life. He believed that each person was of great worth because made in the image of God. That perspective motivated him to make a difference.

Eric Liddell

Best known for refusing to run his event in the Olympics because it was scheduled for the Lord’s Day (aka Sunday), Eric Liddell went on to become a self-sacrificing missionary to China.

Jackie Robinson

Jackie’s faith helped him to stand up against mockery and scorn as he broke the color barrier in major league baseball.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer was a theologian and man of faith who chose to suffer with his people rather than stay in the safety of the USA during WWII. His faith led him to help Jews escape the Nazis and participate in a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler. For those deeds he was executed.

John Paul II

Karol Wojtyla sought to demonstrate Christian humility, believe and practice Christian orthodoxy, and extend welcome to those with whom he disagreed.

Charles Colson

Infamous from the Watergate scandal, Chuck Colson was famously ‘born again.’ His conversion to Christianity led him to refuse a lie that would have gotten him off very easily. Instead, he confessed to another crime! Then, when the judge threw the book at him, he took his sentence gracefully. In prison he served his fellow inmates. After his release Church Colson went on to form Prison Fellowship Ministries, helping to bring prison ministry back into popularity among American churches.

Review

Metaxas has written an excellent book. It’s not only well-written, it’s also timely. We need role models. We need to learn from the mistakes and successes of others. We hear altogether too often about moral failures and cowardice at the highest levels of our societies. Perhaps books like this will serve to stem the tide. Perhaps stories of excellence will spur us on to nobler aims.

I knew something about each of these men. But now I’m inspired by each of them. These stories of courage and sacrifice challenge me to follow suit. This is recommended reading.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the review copy. 

How bad is bad enough?

Excluding the damaged

We visited Finch Park this evening. Anne brought along bread to feed the mean, hissing geese. Our dog Henry even got in on the fun, barking his happy barks. We noticed that one of the geese was damaged. He swam using just one leg. The damaged goose kept his distance from the others. Then I saw why. It seems that the others were rather vicious towards him when he came near. Anne said that some birds are that way. Sadly, so are some people.

Damaged people often receive our cruelty rather than our compassion. This should never be the case among God’s children. After all, weren’t we all once damaged ourselves?

Are you a bad person?

One day Jesus was invited to join a Pharisee, a devoutly religious man, for a meal. While they ate, a woman who was known for her sinfulness (she may even have been a prostitute) entered. The woman began to weep. Her tears fell on Jesus’ feet as he reclined at the table. She washed his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them again and again, and then poured perfume onto them.

The Pharisee who invited Jesus thought to himself that perhaps Jesus wasn’t a prophet after all, otherwise he would have recognized what kind of woman she was.

Jesus then asked the man one of those powerful probing questions that still challenge us today:

"A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly." And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven." Luke 7:41-48

I don’t think Jesus is saying that we should all go out and do a bunch of nasty stuff so that we can love him better. I think he is reminding us that God has a special relationship with and attraction to those who see their own need. People who are humble, broken, and desperate are magnetic to God. They’re the kind of people he gives extra grace to (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). He draws close to those with broken hearts and contrite spirits (Psalm 51:17; 34:18; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2).

Becoming bad enough

In a way, I hope you can say that you are a bad person – or at least that you were. It turns out that people who were once very bad make the best Christians. Paul the Apostle, for instance, said he was the worst sinner of all (1 Tim 1:15). Paul was a very bad person. Who loved and served Jesus better than Paul? Or what about Peter? He repeatedly denied Jesus in front of people. Just shortly after that Peter, filled with the Spirit, preached the first Christian sermon. After that he began an amazing healing ministry.

May we grow close to our holy God and see ourselves as we are – imperfect. May we have experiences reminiscent of Isaiah’s when that godly man cried out, “Woe is me! For I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips.”

When we see our own inadequacy we learn to lean on and love our God. When we remember our sinfulness we learn to show compassion toward the damaged among us.

Photo by Jim Ario