Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Day Fifty-Four

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear (Read Proverbs 20:5-19)

“The eyes and ears, seeing and hearing, are external plunderers; emotions, desires, and opinions are internal plunderers. But if the inner mind is awake and alert, sitting aloof in the middle of it all, then these plunderers change and become members of the household.” ~ Zicheng Hong

Proverbs 20:12-13 offers profound insight into the divine gifts of perception and discernment. The verse, “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both,” goes beyond acknowledging our physical senses. It speaks to a more profound spiritual truth: the ability to discern what is true in what we see and hear is a gift from God. In a world filled with misleading voices and deceptive appearances, this verse reminds us that our capacity for true discernment is a natural ability and a divine endowment. As we grow in understanding and effectiveness of meaning within this proverb, we uncover how these gifts attempt to keep us vigilant, wise, and anchored in truth.

After spending almost four decades in confined spaces, such as treatment centers and corrections facilities, I’ve watched and listened to how others discern their surroundings and the people they encounter. They listen with their eyes and think with their feelings. This ability to determine the truth from the false is a gift from God. This gift of discernment becomes extremely useful while navigating life, especially when you connect the gift to the divine and give credit where credit is due.

How do you discern truth from false and right from wrong?

¹² Ears to hear and eyes to see—
    both are gifts from the Lord.

 ¹³ If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.
    Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

Verse 12 teaches that the LORD has gifted humans with two organs to enable them to keep alert and to keep from being duped. “Ears to Hear and Eyes to See” refers to discernment more than the physical senses of sight and hearing. Since the LORD made the organs of perception, he can enable you to discern the truth of what you see and hear. Please remember that the enemy (Satan) can dilute your psyche, leading to discerning with a twisted perception. This potential pitfall is why seeking wise counsel to help unpack your observations is crucial.  

The author of Proverbs links verses 12 and 13 with the catchword “eyes.” If you love sleep,” God is not condemning catching some Z's, but when qualified with “will end in poverty,” it refers to laziness. “Keep your eyes open” means to become alert to life’s opportunities and dangers, which enables “plenty to eat,” a design for seeking the truth that works. You can't become the person God created you to be while sleeping.

Are you awake? You are either “growing or going!” If you wish to blossom, it's time to wake up and grow up.  

"When preparation meets opportunity, and God does the introductions, great things will happen." ~ Tom Ivester, adapted from "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." ~ Seneca

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today’s wisdom.