Guarding Our Senses to Glorify God

Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Our sense organs connect us to the world around us. Our eyes help us see, our ears allow us to hear, our nose enables us to smell, our tongue lets us speak, and our skin allows us to feel. Everything we see, hear, smell, consume, and experience influences our hearts and thoughts, ultimately shaping our actions.

Our senses can be used for both good and evil, serving as gateways for what enters and leaves us. How we use them plays a crucial role in shaping the kind of person we become. But how can we use our senses to glorify God?

A Call to Purity – St. John Baptiste de la Salle

“Guard your eyes, that they may not look upon anything contrary to purity;
your ears, that they may not listen to evil conversation;
your mind, by banishing from it all suggestive thoughts;
your heart, by stifling impure desires at their very birth.”

---

1. Eyes – The Lamp of the Body

Matthew 6:22-23
“Your eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”

We use our eyes to see both good and evil. But how should we use them to glorify Jesus?

How to Use Our Eyes for Good

• Fix your eyes on Jesus – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
• Adore the Blessed Sacrament
• Read the Bible daily (Hebrews 2:1)
• Look upon holy things – statues, icons, and sacred spaces
• Admire God’s creation in nature
• Observe those in need and offer help
• Seek out good role models and imitate their virtues
• See others with purity and dignity, recognizing Christ in them

How to Guard Our Eyes from Evil

• Avoid impure content – such as immoral movies, images, and videos
• Do not imitate sinful behaviors
• Refrain from invading others’ privacy
• Do not look at others with lust

Matthew 5:28-29
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

---

2. Ears – Hearing the Word of God

Matthew 11:15
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

We use our ears to hear both good and evil. But how should we use them to glorify Jesus?

How to Use Our Ears for Good

• Listen to God’s voice through Scripture
• Spend time in silent prayer and listen to the Holy Spirit
• Hear the wisdom of spiritual leaders – priests, preachers, and elders
• Listen to sacred hymns and worship songs
• Obey the guidance of elders and spiritual mentors

Proverbs 18:15
“An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

How to Guard Our Ears from Evil

• Avoid listening to impure jokes, gossip, or slander
• Refrain from eavesdropping and spreading secrets
• Do not ignore wise counsel
• Be mindful of distractions that pull you away from God

James 1:19
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

---

3. Nose – A Symbol of Discernment

Isaiah 65:5
“These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.”

Our nose helps us discern between good and bad smells, just as we should discern between good and evil influences.

How to Use Our Nose for Good

• Be sensitive to spiritual discernment – recognizing the presence of sin or grace
• Appreciate the beauty of God’s creation in nature

How to Guard Our Nose from Evil

• Avoid arrogance and pride – “looking down on others”
• Steer clear of harmful substances – alcohol, drugs, or anything that leads away from God

St. Augustine
“Men are always ready to nose around and find out about others’ lives, but they feel lazy to know themselves and correct their own life.”

---

4. Tongue – The Power of Speech

1 Peter 3:10
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”

Our tongue can build up or destroy. How should we use it to glorify Jesus?

How to Use Our Tongue for Good

• Glorify God through praise, preaching, and teaching
• Speak words of encouragement and truth
• Use speech to uplift and heal others
• Eat wholesome food to care for our body

Proverbs 15:4
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

How to Guard Our Tongue from Evil

• Avoid gossip and slander
• Do not use harmful or abusive words
• Refrain from lying or deceit
• Avoid substances that harm the body (excessive alcohol, drugs, junk food)

Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.”

St. Faustina Kowalska
“The tongue is a small member, but it does big things. A religious who does not keep silence will never attain holiness.”

---

5. Skin – Honoring the Body as a Temple of God

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; for you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.”

Our skin can be used for good or evil. How should we use it to glorify Jesus?

How to Use Our Skin for Good

• Sanctify your body and keep it pure
• Use your hands to serve others – acts of charity and kindness
• Offer comfort and compassion through touch (e.g., a reassuring hug)

St. Mother Teresa
“If you have a sick or lonely person at home, be there. Maybe just to hold a hand, maybe just to give a smile—that is the greatest, the most beautiful work.”

How to Guard Our Skin from Evil

• Avoid tattoos that do not honor God
• Do not misuse physical touch
• Refrain from violence and theft
• Respect your body as a gift from God

---

A Morning Prayer for Our Senses

Lord Jesus,
Wash our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin with Your precious blood.
Let us see what we should see, hear what we should hear, smell what we should smell, speak what we should speak, and touch what we should touch.
Let us not see, hear, smell, speak, or touch anything that displeases You.
Give us Your grace to avoid sin and live in purity.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.