Articles
They're Watching You
The above creepy statement is the kind of statement that might have as looking both ways, checking our backs, and tweaking our privacy settings. Not necessarily because we have anything to hide. We just don’t like the idea of someone watching us.
I’m talking about the effect which was caused by Jesus making us the light of the world. And, after doing so, He then propped us up on a pedestal, thus making us “a city that was set upon a hill (Mt. 5:14-16).” He then called up-on us to not hide our light. The reason they are watching us is because that’s what people do when they are standing in darkness and they see that someone has caused light to shine out of that darkness (2 Cor. 4:6). The question is, what will they see when they look at you?
Maybe you consider yourself a private person who does not relish the idea of being put on display. Perhaps you’d like nothing more than to “fly under the radar.” But, true Christians who are not hiding their light cannot avoid the attention, because as Christians, every-thing we do gets noticed by somebody. The words you speak are heard by somebody. Your attitude, especially when you are pro-voked to anger, or when you are tested by hardship is seen in your reactions. The places you choose to go (and the places you choose not to go) are noticed by someone. It all has influence for good or bad. An example of this is seen in an anecdote told in Prov. 7 in which an observer witnesses the ill-fated steps of the young man, devoid of understanding, who took the path that led to the house of a promiscuous woman on the prowl. Remarkably, it was through the lattice in front of the window that the man was spied. It must have seemed unlikely to him that anyone would see him “in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark of night (Prov. 7:9). But, see him, they did.
One of the recurring traits exemplified by faithful men of old was their thoughtful awareness of how their conduct would reflect upon God. When the LORD told Moses that Israel had corrupted themselves with idolatry and debauchery (Ex. 32:6-7) God was prepared to consume them in His wrath, and from Moses recreate the nation. God could have done so, and still been faithful to His covenant, since Moses also was from Abraham. Instead of fixating on the glory of such as position, Moses appealed to God on Israel’s behalf, and pleaded with God that He would consider what the Egyptians would say about God and His people (32:12-13).
As Ezra prepared for the treacherous trip to Jerusalem, he sought God’s protection for the trip because he was “ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers” since he had told the king that the hand of God would be upon them. In other words, he was concerned how his actions would negatively impact their perception of God.
What kinds of things are people noticing about you and me which could reflect poorly on God? You are noticed! Who notices you?
1. People who know you notice— Nearly every day you see the same people at work, or at school. There is a circle of friends that you hang out with. They notice you. They see whether you pause to thank the Lord before you eat, or whether you share with those who have none. They see how you drive your car. Do you drive responsibly when parents or adults are around, but very fast and reckless when they are not? They see what you wear, whether we’re talking about respectful worship attire, or worldly, immodest attire. They see that you’re keeping up with the latest fashions of the world...that you’re really not all that different from the rest. They see what you doing during services, whether you are engaged in worship, or biding your time until it is finished. They hear how you speak of the church, and whether you are thankful for your breth-ren, or filled with disdain and critique. They see how you handle ad-vice and correction, whether there is a willingness to hear and re-ceive instruction, or if your pride disdains it as an insult and an affront. And, don't forget your own family. They notice. More than anyone else, they know if your faith is real or not. They know if you are serious about the Lord or not. What do the people who know you see?
2. People who don’t know you notice— Nearly every day there are people we meet that we really don't know—Amazon delivery men, gas station attendants, postal workers, retail clerks, those in doc-tor's offices. They see how we handle inconveniences, such as when they are running a little behind, or when they are out of something on the shelf. They see how patient we are. Our attitude is seen in how we respond to various situations. Christians are positively dis-tinctive from the world (1 Pet 3:15).
3. God notices— God sees all. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good" (Prov 15:3).God "looks upon the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). Nobody can play games with God and win! You are noticed! The closer we get to Jesus, the light of the world, the brighter our light will shine! The Christian has the most important influence in the world, for we have the power of the gospel in our lives, which can change the light of Jesus where it is needed most.
