As followers of Christ, we are called to be mindful of what we allow into our hearts and minds through our eyes and ears. The Bible repeatedly warns us about the dangers of consuming impure content and encourages us to focus on what is holy, pure, and true. Here are key areas where Scripture teaches us to guard our eyes and ears.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Seeing Clearly
Keeping Your Eyes Pure
What we see has a significant impact on our thoughts and actions. The Bible urges us to turn our eyes away from anything that could lead us into sin and instead focus on God’s righteousness.
Psalm 101:3
“I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.”
Job 31:1
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”
Matthew 6:22-23
“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!”
Proverbs 4:25
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Guarding Your Ears from Evil
The things we listen to influence our hearts and minds. God warns us to avoid listening to gossip, lies, and anything that leads us away from His truth.
Proverbs 4:20-21
“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart.”
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
James 1:19
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
Proverbs 19:27
“If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.”
Avoiding Corrupting Influences
The world is full of negative influences that can corrupt our hearts and minds. The Bible tells us to be cautious about what we expose ourselves to.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.'”
Philippians 4:8
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Ephesians 5:11
“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?”
Psalm 1:1
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”
Focusing on God’s Word
The best way to guard our eyes and ears is to fill our hearts with the truth of God’s Word. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we strengthen our ability to resist temptation.
Joshua 1:8
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
Matthew 4:4
“But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘”
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Listening To Others
Avoiding Gossip and Evil Speech
Words have power, and what we listen to can shape our thoughts and actions. The Bible warns against engaging in gossip, slander, or any speech that dishonors God.
Proverbs 16:28
“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”
Proverbs 20:19
“A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
James 3:6
“And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”
Psalm 34:13
“Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!”
Filling Your Mind with Godly Things
Instead of allowing worldly influences to shape us, we are called to renew our minds with God’s truth. When we focus on things that honor Him, our thoughts and actions will align with His will.
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
Colossians 3:1-2
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Psalm 119:11
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Walking in the Light of Christ
As believers, we are called to live as children of the light. Guarding our eyes and ears helps us stay pure and reflect the holiness of Christ in everything we do.
1 John 1:5-7
“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Ephesians 5:8-10
“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
John 8:12
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'”
Philippians 2:15
“So that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”