Scripture
Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze straight ahead.
Carefully consider the path for your feet,
and all your ways will be established.
Don’t turn to the right or to the left;
keep your feet away from evil. (Proverbs 4:25–27, CSB)
Thoughts
Where are your eyes focused? Where are you gazing? What are you pondering? Sometimes our eyes start looking directly behind us, then we foolishly do not consider the path ahead. We end up getting off track, to the right or to the left, and we’re in danger of doing wrong. Let me encourage you with another Scripture passage:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1–2, NIV, emphasis mine)
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, looking to him, we are looking directly forward. With a straight gaze, we will not swerve to the right or to the left. Our feet will stay away from evil. So we can run this race. We can lay aside everything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us. It is time that we run with endurance.
Application
Where are you focused? Are you focused on others’ failures or on Jesus’ faithfulness? God is faithful! He will help you and the other person as you work through this conflict (see 1 Thes. 5:24). If you need to have a conversation about the conflict with the other person, remember to keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep him directly in view, even while you see the conflict in your peripheral vision.
Prayer
Lord, help me to focus on you and consider the path ahead. I want this conflict to be in my peripheral vision. Show me how to throw off hindrances and sin. . . Continue praying.
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