I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. (Psalm 101:3)
At some point during their sojourn in Egypt, the people of Israel began to stray away from the faith of their fathers and embrace the ways of the Egyptians, including worship of their gods. This fact is affirmed multiple times in Scripture, most notably when the people rebelled and worshiped a golden calf. Centuries later, the Lord admonished the descendants of those rebels who were in Babylonian captivity, pointing out that they were acting just as their forefathers. In His rebuke, the Lord reminded them of what was said to those who were in Egypt: “Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:7).
As the narrative in Ezekiel continues, it becomes clear that many did not heed that warning — but some did. There was a remnant of people who did put away the abominations that were before their eyes and did not fall away with those who embraced rebellion. In the psalm, David reiterated the importance of not allowing perverse things to catch our eye lest we be led astray and follow in the way of the wicked. It is an absolute fact that those things we fix our eyes upon will draw us in. In other words, we will move toward whatever has our attention and, in time, will embrace it in some form or fashion. Our eye is the gateway to our thoughts and intentions.
We should not convince ourselves that we can look at perverse things and not be affected, nor should we deceive ourselves into thinking that we can associate with perverse people and not be negatively influenced. As David voiced, we should not allow these things to cling to us which infers that we should never get so close that they have an opportunity to invade our hearts and minds. As followers of Messiah, we must discipline ourselves to bring every thought “into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (2 Corinthians 10:5). That we may fulfill the Father’s Will in our life, it is critical that we keep our gaze fixed upon the Author and Finisher of our faith that we may “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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