But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:2‭-‬3 NIV

I almost slipped.

Slipped from where? Our Christian walk in life.  Where were you when you almost lost your footing.  This is a confession of a person who for a time considered the temporary pleasures of sin and selfishness over Godly eternal realities.

When I saw…

“I envied the arrogant when I saw …”  The eyes have a powerful part in temptation.  What a wonderful part of our bodies to be able to see beauty and the wonderous creations of God.  Our eyes see the glory of a simple flower and a baby’s smile.  Our eyes see the wonder of love’s gaze as couple drink up the presence of each other.  We observe wonders that take our breath away and simple pleasures like  laying on the beach watching the waves and birds go about their never-ending routine.

Eyes – powerful lure to temptation

After  many trips all around  the Garden of Eden Eve walks by the tree Knowledge of Good and Evil without notice. But one time she stopped and looked at the tree. Eve “saw the fruit was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable to make one wise…” Genesis 3:6.  Eve ate the fruit and so did Adam.  Their eyes were drawn to see things that were not true.  Their physical eyes led them to envy and desire.  Their spiritual eyes were overpowered by desire. Their physical eyes only saw the outward temporary pleasures.  It cannot see beyond the now.  Their spiritual eyes which can see beyond today and into the future was not able to overcome the pleasures seen and desired.

In this Psalms it’s the same principle.  Our physical eyes see what we think is desirable. We see pleasing and desirable things that other people are enjoying  and it may seem unfair that we are not allowed to join them.  I remember when I was struggling financially in the ministry.  Barely able to pay bills and we would visit family with large houses and money.  These were  good Christian people but I would fight my emotions of envy.  I knew I was where God wanted me but my eyes, my physical eyes would drink up what I did not have and could not afford.

Eye adjustments

It is not what we see physically that matters.  It is the eternal realities that determine our course.  One of the best verse in this Psalms is verse 17 “till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”  When I entered into the presence of God I was reminded what I see is not what is eternal.  The physical pleasures that are present in  life are not eternal and can be destructive to the soul.

A picture I have in my office that came from my Grandma’s house shows the realities of our life on earth in eternal perspective.  It is below.  This is real.  I need to keep my eye on this reality.  One day we will see clearly with our eyes.  Until then be on guard.  Keep your lightnside bright. If you seem to stumble, get in God’s presence and allow Him to adjust your focus.

Is there something you are looking at that is causing you to slip in your Christian life?  Go to church. Get in God’s presence and allow Him to adjust your vision.