Matthew 6:23
Afrikaans (Contemporary Afrikaans Bible 2023)
Maar as jou oog sleg is, sal jou hele liggaam donker wees. As dan die lig wat in jou is duisternis is, hoe groot is daardie duisternis!
What Does This Mean?
This verse is from Jesus in the Bible and it says that if your eye, meaning your view or attitude, is bad, then everything you do will be wrong too. It means having a negative mindset can make all of life dark.
Explained for Children
Imagine your eyes are like the windows to your mind. If those windows get dirty or broken, even when it's sunny outside, inside it feels dark and gloomy. Jesus is saying that if you have a bad attitude, everything else in your life will feel sad too!
Historical Background
Matthew 6:23 was written by Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, around 80-90 AD to a primarily Jewish-Christian audience. The cultural context includes a community transitioning from Jewish traditions to Christian teachings.
Living It Out Today
Consider a situation where you're at work and you start the day feeling grumpy about something small. Because of that bad attitude (the evil eye), everything seems wrong, even simple tasks become hard or unpleasant. This verse reminds us to check our attitudes before they darken every aspect of life.
Topics
attitudelight and darknessspiritual healthlife perspectivepersonal growthmindset
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'evil eye' mean in this context?
'Evil eye' metaphorically refers to a bad attitude or a negative mindset that can affect everything you do and see. It's not about the physical eye but your perspective.
How can we ensure our attitudes are positive?
To keep positive attitudes, regularly check your thoughts for negativity, surround yourself with uplifting influences, pray, read the Bible, and focus on gratitude.
What does it mean that 'the light in you is darkness'?
It means if what should be guiding and enlightening (your good intentions) turns out to be wrong or harmful, then your overall outlook becomes very dark indeed.
Can you give an example of how a negative attitude affects life?
Sure. If you start the day grumpy about traffic, this bad mood might make work harder, interactions more difficult, and even simple tasks seem unpleasant, showing how one's attitude can darken everything.