2 Corinthians 5:7 Amplified Bible
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—
Paul instructs us to walk by faith!
Not by feelings. Feelings should never be a spiritual gauge.
Not by emotions. A great rule of thumb is to never make decisions when extremely unhappy, happy or angry.
If we live and walk by feelings or emotions, our faith will waver erratically, as fear and doubt will be allowed to enter the equation.
Not by insight. Insight is the ability to see the crux of the matter. Sometimes we can get a wrong interpretation.
We are NOT to walk by SIGHT.
NOT BY SIGHT--LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO EVE
Genesis 3:6 Amplified Bible
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband [a]with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6 KJV
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Eve SAW that the tree was good for food, even though God had provided for ALL of their needs.
Eve SAW that the tree was pleasant to the eye.
Eve SAW that the tree was desired to make her wise and insightful.
Eve “lost sight” of what she knew about God and allowed Satan to deceive her through the sight of her own eyes.
WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT
2 Corinthians 5:7 Amplified Bible
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—
We are instructed to walk by faith and not by sight. Why?
Because we are to believe with sure and steadfast faith, those things that we cannot see.
When we walk by faith, we live in total confidence of the things that are to come.
Satan wants us to live for earthly tangible material things that are visible. Things like money, wealth, real estate, homes, cars, boats and more.
Satan also wants us to desire the earthly intangible things of this world like praise, glory, fame and power. These are all things that “this world” can provide.
In this life, believers and non-believers alike look for things they have not yet seen. Most everyone hopes and dreams of things both tangible and intangible to come in the future. That first house. That bigger house. That job or position that is desired. More income. Climbing higher on the ladder of success. Greater happiness.
And the list goes on. These are all unseen earthly “things” that are hoped for and believed will come.
Yet, there is no absolute assurance of any of them.
However, Paul is instructing us to live and walk by faith, believing in and longing for the spiritual and eternal things we cannot see.
Believers are to look beyond this life. We are to look forward to the promises of God and the glories of heaven.
The child of God has the assurance that the promises of God, though yet totally unseen, will be theirs.
DEPEND ON THE THINGS WE CANNOT SEE
Let's think for a moment about what we cannot see.
- God is unseen.
- Christ is unseen to us.
- The Holy Spirit is unseen.
- Heaven is not yet seen.
These are not visible to our eye, but through our “eye of faith” we see them clearly.
The believer is to live and walk by faith. Faith in the promises of God. Faith and trust that will get us through whatever trial or trials we face in this life. Faith that we have the assurance of God that heaven awaits those who are His children.
DON'T DEPEND ON OR PUT TRUST IN THE THINGS YOU SEE OR HAVE DONE
We are to live and walk by faith!
Faith and trust in our Heavenly Father who has promised to be with us always and to never leave or forsake us.
We are NOT "to walk" by the growing 401k statement or the depleted bank statement.
We are NOT "to walk" by the new car or cars in the driveway, or the old car that needs work.
We are NOT "to walk" by the beautiful “things” we have collected or the recognition of our poverty.
We are NOT "to walk" by our own accomplishments, or our failures.
Many people take comfort and satisfaction from the “things” that this life affords.
But Paul instructs us to walk by faith and trust in God, not trusting in the temporal tangible and intangibles received in this life.
Instead, we are to trust in the promises of God, made to His children through Jesus Christ His Son.
We are not to be influenced by the things we see. Rather, it is our faith that is to control us, not our sight. Remember, the things we have not seen offer us the greatest rewards and life eternal.
RVH
- On a cloudy and rainy day, we never doubt that the sun is still shining. We just can't see it.