What seest thou?, Jer 1:11

The true test of a prophet is whether they see what God is showing them. Rightly so because prophets are also called seers as recorded for us in 1 Sam 9 on Saul’s servant suggesting to look for the prophet Samuel on some lost asses. Seeing correctly is important to God as we have to view things, situations, circumstances from His perspective and will. Even in prayer, I was told that we should pray with our spiritual eyes open.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
(Rev 1:17)

Not just seeing from God’s perspective but also seeing Him correctly for Who He truly is. Not some figment of our imagination of a god we want to see. The apostle whom Jesus loved, the same guy who leaned on His bosom during the last supper, saw the exalted Christ and fell as though dead.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
(Exo 20:4)

Many have this picture of gentle Jesus, sweet and mild. I wonder where this imagery came from. Once we have our own perception of Jesus it would be considered have graven an image of Christ in our minds. If so then it is called idolatry, idols don’t have to be physical. Idols are worshiped and exalted by those who form them according to their imagination.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(2Co 10:5)

Paul warns us about imaginations that conflicts with the true knowledge of God. These imaginations are human concepts of a god according to their own reasoning and wisdom. The exaltation of such knowledge is idolatry because it is a poor portrayal of the Almighty. God is Holy, so in our relationship with Him there has to be boundary which cannot be frivolously overstepped.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(Mat 5:8)

Jesus stated very clearly who can see God for Who He truly is. A simple test of the purity of our hearts is found in our speech.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
(Mat 12:34)

How pure our speech is, it is how pure our heart is. James warns us that our tongue is small yet difficult to control; it defiles the whole body and has fire set on fire of hell. We have to check our speech if it’s nature is hell like. I have heard a preacher say that we lie in our worship because we can bless and curse with the same tongue. Our worship can be overwhelmed with emotion but God’s Presence isn’t there because it takes clean hands and a pure heart to enter His Holy place.