What You See Determines Who You’ll Be
And What You See Reveals Who You Are: It’s a Cycle of Growth
One of the most powerful means of spiritual growth and transformation is changing what we focus on because what we see determines who we’ll be.
Inner Sight Changes Us
“But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
One of the most powerful, restful ways to grow and make positive changes is to spend time “beholding” or “looking at” or “seeing” the glory of the Lord.
Spending time seeing God and His glory through the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:17–19), transforms us from one level of glory to the next, gradually making us more and more like Him in character and life.
When we spend time in the sun, it effects us without us even trying. If we get out in the sun and don’t go sit in the shade, the sun will impact our bodies. If we get in a pool, the water will effect us, without us doing anything. Sun and water have power to change things without us trying.
The same is often true when we consciously step into the presence of God and simply look at Him with spiritual eyes. God’s presence is so powerful that it makes Christlike transformations in our soul, one level of glory to the next.
Seeing Leads to Better Doing
A lot of coaches, both in the business world and in athletics teach people to visualize themselves being and doing their goal. There is actually some really good research that this can work to some degree.
Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordan are just a few of the many athletes who say they visualize themselves making the shot before they actually do it. They do it first in their mind, their inner sight, then they do it with their bodies. Doing follows seeing.
Several studies with power lifts show that when athletes visualize themselves lifting the weight before they do it, they typically lift more weight than when they don’t.
Regarding spiritual growth, I’m convinced that is one of the main reasons so much of the New Testament tells us who we are in Christ even when we’re still living in high levels of sin and defeat. If we can start seeing ourselves the way God sees us, we gradually think and act more and more that way.
It is almost impossible to consistently act in ways other than how we see ourselves.
Revelation Leads to Impartation
So much of what God does in us is through the gate of knowledge, inner sight. To receive the gift of eternal life, we must first hear the Gospel. The knowledge we gain, the revelation of God’s truth, allows us to take a step of faith and receive salvation. No revelation, no inner sight, no eternal life.
But when we receive God’s knowledge through the Gospel, when we understand it and “see it”, then we can receive it. The Gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, and believing is preceded by inner seeing or revelation. (Romans 1:16–17)
Once we see it, then we can receive it, and eternal life is imparted to us. It’s the same way with so many areas of spiritual growth.
Once I see that giving is essential for growth and receiving, then I take action and set that giving and receiving cycle in motion. If I don’t see it, then I won’t do it. When I do see it, I take action, and receive.
Cycles of Growth
It’s been said that we see more with our hearts than our eyes. Two people can look at the exact same thing and see very different scenarios based on the condition of their soul.
Atheists look at the universe and see it as a random, cold, harsh, amazing place of physics and laws. Believers see the universe as God’s handiwork, filled with insights about who He is and what He’s like.
Two shoe salesmen were sent to a new territory. One salesman called his supervisor and said, “We’ll never sell shoes here, no one wear shoes.” The other salesman called his supervisor and said, “Send more more, there is such an opportunity, no one has shoes.!”
Heart condition determines what we see.
But also, what we see, especially when we take time to “see” God in our hearts and minds, changes us.
Restful Transformation
2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that the Holy Spirit will do His amazing transforming work in our lives as we take time to “behold” God. In other places Scripture gives us other practices to do, even work hard at, in order to grow. Both the practices and resting approaches are needed for maximum growth.
But beholding God is a refreshing, restful means of Christlike transformation.
Take the time to consciously step into God’s loving, holy presence through Jesus. Learn to see Him in His word and worship and in life itself…it will transform you.
If you want more FREE resources on living a Jesus-centered, Jesus-empowered life take a look at www.TruVineMission.com
If you want training and coaching on how to clarify and then accomplish all of God’s purposes at each season of life, check out www.MarkFurlongCoaching.com
