Open Your Spiritual Eyes and Walk in the Light
Introduction:
Many people navigate life based on what they can see, measure, and control in the world around them. The physical world feels complete, self-explanatory, and authoritative. Success, loss, suffering, and meaning are interpreted through tangible material cause and effect.
Reality is much bigger than what you can see.
We live in a visible, natural world that is created, sustained, and influenced by an invisible spiritual realm. What we see through our physical eyes is very real real, but it is not the whole story; it is just the temporary visible tip of an eternal spiritual iceberg. The unseen spiritual world actually governs and controls this physical world we experience in this temporary earthly life, and when we complete this life we shift locations and live in that spiritual world.
People who only see the physical part of reality will misinterpret many aspects of their earthly life. They do not realize their earthly life is a journey intended to mold them and shape them for usefulness in an eternal kingdom. They will form a character with motives and beliefs and patterns of behavior optimized for life in this fallen world, rather being prepared for eternal life with God the creator.
Our calling is very clear: We are to look beyond what we can see in the temporary physical world in front of us and appreciate the invisible spiritual world with has eternal consequences.
“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18
What Are Spiritual Eyes vs. Natural Eyes?
Natural eyes are limited to the material dimension of life. They see people, events, resources, and outcomes—but only as physical phenomena. Life is interpreted through visible cause and effect.
Spiritual eyes are opened to recognize that the natural world exists within a larger spiritual reality. They perceive the unseen forces, purposes, and intentions that shape what happens in the visible world.
Jesus described this distinction clearly:
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” — Matthew 6:22–23
Your “eye” represents what you recognize as most real and most authoritative. If your perception is limited to what can be seen, your inner life is filled with darkness—not because you are immoral, but because you are blind to the full reality governing your life.
Why Do Spiritual Eyes Matter?
Because vision determines priorities, and priorities determine direction, and direction determines destiny.
Those who live by natural sight:
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- Interpret life as primarily about comfort, security, and success
- View suffering as meaningless or unfair
- See people as obstacles, threats, or assets
- Measure value by outcomes
Those who live by spiritual sight:
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- Understand life as preparation for eternity
- Recognize suffering as formative and purposeful
- See people as eternal souls
- Measure value by faithfulness, obedience, and love
If a person believes the material world is the whole story, then eternal priorities feel abstract and silly.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14
Being ignorant of the spiritual world, and God, and His commandments will lead to problems
“My children are destroyed for their lack of knowledge.” – Hosea 4:6
If a person focuses on their own interests and optimizing their temporary earthly life experience, it will generate adverse consequences now and for eternity
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8
Our calling is explicit:
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
When spiritual eyes are opened, we can appreciate the redeeming work of Jesus, reorder our lives around God’s purpose for us, and come into alignment with His kingdom.
“I (Jesus) now send you (Paul), to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:17-19
What Eyes Am I Currently Seeing With?
The Eyes you use to see things directly impacts your attitude and you approach to life.
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- Natural eyes focus on optimizing earthly life; control, outcomes, fear, and immediacy.
- Spiritual eyes focus on aligning with God’s will; trust, obedience, eternity, and God’s promises.
- If your peace rises and falls with circumstances, you are likely seeing naturally.
- If God’s truth reframes your circumstances, you are learning to see spiritually.
The following is a list of earthly situations and how our natural eyes see them verses how they can be seen through mature spiritual eyes.
| Situation | Natural Eyes | Spiritual Eyes | Reference |
| Death | Loss and ending | Gain and transition | “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Phil 1:21 |
| Giving | Loss of resources | High-yield eternal investment | “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35 |
| Suffering | Meaningless pain | Formation and refinement | “The trial of your faith… produces patience.” — Jas 1:3 |
| Obedience | Restriction | Alignment with life | “In keeping them there is great reward.” — Ps 19:11 |
| Forgiveness | Letting someone “win” | Freedom and cleansing | “If you forgive… your Father will forgive you.” — Matt 6:14 |
| Humility | Weakness | Strength under God | “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” — Jas 4:6 |
| Wealth | Security | A Test Of Stewardship | “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matt 6:21 |
| Time | Scarcity and pressure | Eternal opportunity | “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Ps 90:12 |
| Success | Comfort and status | Faithfulness and fruit | “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” — 1 Cor 4:2 |
| Earthly Life | Something to protect | Something to lay down | “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” — Matt 16:25 |
How Do I Open My Spiritual Eyes:
Spiritual eyes are opened by exposure to God’s Word.
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18
Spiritual eyes are developed through repeated exposure to God’s revealed truth, paired with humility, obedience, and prayer. The more we focus and learn, the more we begin to see the full reality God has revealed—the unseen causes behind the seen world, the purpose behind human life, and God’s long plan to restore creation.
The aspects below summarize the critical realities spiritual eyes must perceive, followed by Scripture paths for deeper development.
The themes are in sequenced from top to bottom as a logical build to help establish a complete, coherent worldview rather than isolated insights.
How To Use The Table:
Read through the full table and see which messages are familiar and comfortable, and which ones are new or unclear to you.
Starting from the top, study the anchor and dig deeper verses for any areas that are unclear so you gain insight and build understanding.
Review and meditate on each verse with the intention of understanding the spiritual reality going on and what it means for you.
Approach each passage by asking:
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- What unseen reality is being revealed here?
- What does this change about how I see and interpret my life today?
- What obedience is God inviting me into? What do i need to think or say or do differently to align with God’s intention.
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Key Things to See With Spiritual Eyes
| Theme | Key Message Spiritual Eyes See | Anchor Verse | Where To Dig Deeper |
| Spiritual Nature Of Reality | The visible world is real, but governed by unseen spiritual causes | “The things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” — Heb 11:3 | Hebrews 11:1–3; |
| Creator & Authority | God created, owns, and sustains all things | “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” — Ps 100:3 | Genesis 1:1–28; |
| Human Purpose | We were intentionally formed to bear God’s image, represent Him on earth, and partner with Him in continued creation. | “Let Us make man in Our image.” — Gen 1:26 | 1 Corinthians 3:9 |
| The Fall | Human nature and creation were corrupted by sin | “Through one man sin entered the world.” — Rom 5:12 | Gen 3; |
| Spiritual Opposition | The fallen world is actively trying to deceive us and distract us from God and our intended purpose | “The god of this age has blinded the minds.” — 2 Cor 4:4 | 1 Peter 5:8-9 |
| God’s Restoration Plan | God has been working across generations to restore creation | “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” — Acts 15:18 | Ephesians 3:8-12 |
| Alignment & Consequences | Blessing flows from alignment; disorder flows from self-rule | “I have set before you life and death…love the Lord your God,… obey His voice, and …cling to Him” — Deut 30:19-20 | Ps 1; |
| Submission & Rescue | God responds when we surrender fully and seek Him | “You will seek Me and find Me.” — Jer 29:13 | Isa 55:6–7; |
| Jesus’ Incarnation | God entered creation to rescue and restore what was lost through Adam | “The Word became flesh.” — John 1:14 | Phil 2:5–11; |
| Fear of God | Right relationship begins with reverence and humility | “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” — Prov 9:10 | Luke 12:4–5; |
| Salvation & New Birth | Eternal life is received, not earned | “By grace you have been saved.” — Eph 2:8–9 | John 3:3–8; |
| Life’s True Mission | This life prepares us for eternity and draws others to God | “Let your light so shine before men.” – Matt 5:16 | Matt 28:18–20; |
How Can I Further Develop Spiritual Eyes?
Spiritual sight is trained through submission, not information.
1. Repent of Living by Natural Sight
Spiritual sight begins with acknowledging that human reasoning and self-reliance cannot lead a godly life.
Repentance includes turning from a material-only understanding of life.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. — Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)
2. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word
The Word of God is the primary lens through which spiritual reality is revealed and clarified.
“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16
Expose yourself to the word of God at least daily
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8:
3. Renew Your Mind Daily
Old patterns of seeing must be actively replaced with God’s truth through repetition, meditation, reflection and purposfull action.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4. Obey What God Has Already Shown You
Spiritual understanding increases through obedience, not argument or analysis.
“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…” — John 7:17
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22
5. Pray for Further Illumination
Spiritual sight is ultimately a gift from God and must be sought intentionally..
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” – Psalm 119:18
“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14
Closing Thought — A Call to Action
You were not placed in this world to extract comfort from a broken system. You were placed here to be formed for eternity and to reflect God in a world that cannot see Him.
“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” — Ephesians 5:14
Choose today to shift your gaze from what is temporary to what is eternal. Train your vision through God’s Word. Walk forward in obedience.
Open your spiritual eyes.
Walk in the light.
Live for the Kingdom that is already here and waiting for you.
