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"Guard Your Eyes" | Guarded | Pastor Bobby Chandler

Authentic Church・46 minutes read

The series "Guarded" underscores the necessity of protecting key aspects of life, focusing on how guarding one's mouth, heart, and eyes can prevent negative consequences and spiritual decline. It emphasizes the importance of resisting worldly desires and distractions, advocating for reliance on God's word and the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength in maintaining healthy relationships and spiritual well-being.

Insights

  • The series "Guarded" emphasizes the critical need to protect various aspects of life, starting with the importance of controlling one's words, as highlighted in Proverbs 18:21, which states that words can bring either life or death, underscoring the profound impact of communication on our lives and relationships.
  • The current message stresses the significance of guarding one's eyes, drawing from Psalm 119:37 to warn against distractions and temptations that can lead to spiritual emptiness and unhealthy desires, illustrating how focusing on worldly pleasures can erode personal joy and intimacy in relationships, as seen in the biblical stories of Adam and Eve and Judas Iscariot.

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Summary

00:00

Guarding Life's Essentials Through Spiritual Vigilance

  • The series titled "Guarded" emphasizes the importance of protecting valuable aspects of life, with the final message scheduled for next week.
  • The first week focused on guarding your mouth, referencing Proverbs 18:21, highlighting that words can bring life or death and have significant consequences.
  • The second week discussed guarding your heart, based on Proverbs 4:23, stressing that the heart's condition determines the course of one's life.
  • The current message centers on guarding your eyes, referencing Psalm 119:37, urging individuals to avoid focusing on worthless things and seek life through God's word.
  • The psalmist's plea for help in focusing on God's laws illustrates the need to prioritize spiritual over worldly desires, as seen in Psalm 119:36.
  • Jesus warns against greed in Luke 12:15, emphasizing that life is not measured by material wealth, which can lead to spiritual emptiness.
  • Matthew 6:22 explains that a healthy eye brings light to the body, while an unhealthy eye fills it with darkness, affecting one's overall well-being.
  • The text warns that what one looks at can influence desires and actions, potentially leading to negative outcomes, such as overspending or unhealthy habits.
  • First Peter 5:8-9 advises vigilance against temptation, reminding believers that they are not alone in their struggles and can find strength in Jesus.
  • The message concludes with three revelations about guarding your eyes, starting with avoiding lust, as what you feed your eyes will ultimately consume your heart.

14:04

Resisting Temptation and Seeking Divine Truth

  • The Bible verse discusses cravings for physical pleasure, emphasizing that desires for what we see and pride in possessions are worldly, not from God.
  • Lust of the eyes is highlighted, illustrating the cycle of seeing, wanting, and obtaining, which can lead to spiritual ruin and death.
  • Discernment from the Holy Spirit is essential for recognizing and resisting temptations that distract from seeking God's presence and truth.
  • The temptation of Jesus by Satan in Matthew 4:8-10 illustrates the allure of worldly power and glory, which can lead to spiritual compromise.
  • The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 shows how doubt and confusion can lead to disobedience and loss of intimacy with God and each other.
  • Satan's manipulation of God's words to Eve demonstrates how temptation can distort truth, leading to shame and division in relationships.
  • The beauty of the forbidden fruit caused Eve to desire it, highlighting how focusing on what we can't have can blind us to existing blessings.
  • Guarding one's eyes is crucial to prevent distractions that can lead to division and loss of intimacy in relationships, as seen in Genesis 3:7-8.
  • True love and faithfulness require conscious choices, as God placed the tree in the garden to allow for the choice of obedience.
  • Division is a strategy of the devil, who seeks to undermine relationships gradually through what we see and desire, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

27:51

Distractions Eroding Relationships and Spiritual Health

  • The speaker discusses the impact of distractions, like phones and TV, on relationships, emphasizing the importance of being aware of what consumes one's attention after a long day.
  • The speaker warns against allowing negative influences, such as fear-inducing news or depressing movies, to mentally affect individuals and their relationships over time.
  • The speaker highlights the gradual erosion of joy and intimacy in relationships due to coveting others' lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one's own situation.
  • The story of Adam and Eve is referenced to illustrate how hiding from God and failing to confess sins can lead to deeper issues in relationships and personal well-being.
  • Genesis 3:9-13 is cited, where God questions Adam about his actions, emphasizing the need for repentance and honesty in one's relationship with God.
  • The speaker notes that Adam was held responsible for the family, as the command not to eat from the tree was given to him before Eve was created (Genesis 2:16-17).
  • The speaker stresses that a biblical husband should lead his family with love and protection, relying on Christ for strength and guidance in difficult times.
  • The importance of guarding one's family from negative influences, particularly through media, is emphasized, urging parents to protect their children's hearts and minds.
  • Matthew 6:22-23 is referenced, explaining that healthy eyes bring light to the body, while unhealthy eyes lead to darkness, linking this to the dangers of greed and materialism.
  • The speaker concludes by encouraging individuals to focus on spiritual treasures rather than earthly possessions, reminding them that where their treasure is, their heart will also be.

41:43

The Perils of Worldly Desires and Betrayal

  • The text discusses the dangers of focusing on worldly desires, illustrating how Eve and Adam were misled by Satan into seeking happiness outside of God's plan.
  • Judas Iscariot, present during Jesus' teachings, allowed greed to lead him away from Jesus, ultimately betraying Him for 30 pieces of silver, a price linked to bondage.
  • After betraying Jesus, Judas felt remorse but did not repent to God, leading to his suicide after throwing the blood money back at the temple.
  • The priests deemed Judas' payment as blood money, preventing its return to the treasury, and instead used it to purchase a field, fulfilling prophecy.
  • To overcome temptation, focus on God's word daily, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, and avoid situations that lead to stumbling, as advised in Job 31:1.
  • The text encourages seeking prayer support for struggles with focus and temptation, emphasizing the importance of joy and reliance on God for healing and direction.
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