Mk 7:33; Mt 11:14,15; Ro 16:16; Eph 1:18; Gen 2:7.
- Ears: hear
Physical Ears- allows speech to enter the mind to be interpreted as informative, positive or negative.
Spiritual Ears- allows knowledge to enter the spirit as facts that one should obey.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Mt 11:14,15
Sometimes we willingly desire to be ignorant of the facts we hear so that we do not have to act upon what was said. Our hearts block the ear gate, just as a deaf man cannot hear what has been spoken.
- Eyes: see
Physical Eyes- allows light to enter the mind to be interpreted as coloured images.
Spiritual Eyes-allows understanding to enter the spirit as principles to live by.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you… Eph 1:18
“The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that ‘They may be ever seeing but never perceiving … Mk 4:11,12
- Nose: smell
Physical Nose- allows smells to enter the mind to be interpreted as pleasant or offensive, dangerous or safe.
A dog can follow a scent back to its owner. In the same way we can use scent to lead us to the goodness of God.
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Gen 2:7
Spiritual Nose- allows awareness of God’s goodness resulting in gratefulness to enter one’s spirit. God is the One who gave us physical life and He is the One who offers us spiritual life.
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. Rev 5:8
In return, we send God a pleasing aroma whenever we pray to Him.
- Lips : touch
Physical Lips- allows sensations to enter the mind to be interpreted as pleasurable or unappealing.
Spiritual Lips -allows awareness of God’s love, resulting in thanksgiving to enter one’s spirit. It can come from a thought or blessing from God or Him sending someone with a compliment or a gift, a song heard that encourages and so on.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. Ro 16:16
This type of affection is mentioned four times in the New Testament. Sadly Judas used this intimate greeting to betray our Lord Mt 26:49.
- Tongue: taste
Physical Tongue- allows tastes to enter the mind to be interpreted as pleasant or unpleasant, wanting more or less.
Spiritual Tongue-One is consumed by God, resulting in praise to enter the spirit.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Ps 34:8
God initiates this intimacy with mankind.
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. Mk 7:33
We need to be obedient to God’s Word, enlightened in His doctrines, aware of His goodness, love and His desire to be intimate with us.