As we continue our study of Jesus with The Sermon on the Mount, it is clear that God’s standards far exceed the law that was given by Moses and guarded by the Pharisees, and the law by which we are governed today. It is not enough not to kill, we must also not hold any anger against our brother. As I read through Matthew 5-7 this week, I struggled with some of the commands. Some are easy to follow and some are not. Loving your enemy is something to which we know we are called, but truly obeying that command is difficult for even the most mature of believers. How do we “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”?
My daughter received a copy of Bible songs for kids for her birthday, and I have been surprised and blessed at the way that the simple truths in some of the songs have spoken to me. The one song that keeps popping in my head as I read through Matthew is “Be Careful Little Eyes What You See”. Each verse is so simple, but when put into practice can make all the difference when it comes to loving your enemies, giving up your worries, passing judgement, or watching for false prophets. Here are the lyrics.
O be careful little eyes what you see,
O be careful little eyes what you see,
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little eyes what you see.
(v2) O be careful little ears what you hear
(v3) O be careful little tongue what you say
(v4) O be careful little hands what you do
(v5) O be careful little feet where you go
(v6) O be careful little mouth what you say
(v7) O be careful little heart whom you trust
(v8) O be careful little mind what you think
As I read these Scripture verses I couldn’t help but sing the song.
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt. 5:28) O be careful little eyes what you see.
But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. (Matt. 5:34-35) O be careful little mouth what you say.
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. (Matt 6:2-4) O be careful little hands what you do.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt. 6:24) Oh be careful little mind what you think.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matt. 7:15) O be careful little heart whom you trust.
The answer to “How do we become perfect?” is not a straightforward one (other than the redemptive work of Christ on the cross), but I think it is a step in the right direction if we are careful what we see, do, say, and think. Do the things we say and do show Christ to those around us? Do our actions show Christ to our children as we sing this song?
-Sarah Smith