1. The light of the eyes.

a. The light of the eyes speaks of a cheerful look. It speaks of a sparkle or the twinkle in the eye…

b. Prov. 16:15 – the LIGHT of the king’s countenance. This speaks of the favor expressed on his face… the pleasant acceptance expressed on his face.

c. Ps. 31:16 – it speaks of God’s face SHINING upon the king… showing Divine favor.

d. Various translations:
• Smiling faces
• A cheerful look (a couple of translations)
• Bright eyes

e. Eyes are a window into the inner person.
• Eyes can smile!
• “When Irish eyes are smiling!” Actually ANYBODY’s eyes can smile!
• Eyes communicate.
» They can scowl… they can communicate anger (Prov. 25:23)…
» They can communicate disbelief… they can communicate frustration… they can communicate rebellion… they can communicate lust…
» They can communicate depression… (have you ever seen the darkened, sunken eyes of a person who is truly depressed?)
» They can communicate pride… (Ps. 10:4 – through the pride of his countenance.)…
» They can communicate rebuke (Ps. 80:16)

• Eyes are good communicators. They communicate what is going on in the heart… in the soul.
• Of course, we can behave like a hypocrite (mask). Our face can be a mask for what is really going on inside too.
• We can PRETEND to smile… we can put on a phony face outwardly, when the opposite is occurring on the inside. That is called hypocrisy.
• However, when we are HONEST, and not putting on a hypocritical mask, our eyes are a window into our soul.
• Prov.15:13 – If the heart is cheerful, it is SEEN on your face… in your expressions… and in your eyes.
» Our inner attitude towards a person is reflected in our countenance and especially our eyes.
» Friendliness inside is communicated outwardly through facial expression.

2. The light of the eyes (cheerful countenance) = non-verbal communication.

a. You can communicate to a person with facial expression…

b. But no part of the face is as expressive as the eyes.

c. We can warmly GREET people with our eyes.

d. We can coldly IGNORE people with our eyes.

e. We can communicate ANGER through our eyes.

f. We can communicate PLEASURE through our eyes.

g. We can communicate BOREDOM through our eyes.

h. We can FLIRT with our eyes.

i. We can show RESPECT with our eyes.

j. We can show DISRESPECT with the rolling of our eyes.

k. Eyes communicate… not just the mouth.

l. There is a lot of communication that we MISS because of technology… email… phones… etc. We miss the body language… we can’t see the eyes…

m. Even without a word, we communicate much through our eyes.

n. This truth is obvious… but it is also revealed in the Bible.
• God describes Himself in human language… so that we can understand Him better… in terms we can relate to.
• The Bible speaks of His facing shining on us… or His countenance directed towards us…

3. Our eyes can have an EFFECT on others. It is non-verbal communication.

a. Ps. 21:6 – Thou has made me GLAD through thy countenance!

b. Ps. 42:5 – God’s countenance can HELP us… by encouraging us…

c. Num. 6:25 – God’s face shining on a person is a way to describe God’s FAVOR towards that person or nation.

d. Ps. 80:16 – they PERISH at the REBUKE of thy countenance
→ It is as if the expression on God’s face rebukes, encourages, helps, or shows favor to those He looks AT.
→ Obviously, we don’t actually SEE God’s eyes or His face. But the language of humanity is used to teach us about God.

e. Hence, in the Bible, it was obvious, that the face can and does communicate to others.
→ Our facial expression… our eyes can make others glad… or chase them away in fear!
→ Our eyes can express warmth and friendship or anger, rejection, and scorn.
→ Thus, what WE do with our eyes (and other facial expressions) has an EFFECT on other people.
→ Our eyes communicate WITHOUT words. That communication sends a message to others… and it has an effect on them.

f. This is form of communication parents would do well to observe in their children.
→ Children can REBEL with their eyes… without saying or doing anything. (rolling the eyes…) It needs to be dealt with.
→ Children can show DISRESPECT by refusing to look at people in the eyes.
→ Teach them to LOOK at a person in the eyes when speaking to them or listening to them.
→ Don’t take “shyness” as an excuse.
→ Their eyes send a message and it has an effect on others. Teach them to send the RIGHT message!

4. The light of the eyes sends a GOOD message. It REJOICES the heart.

a. The LIGHT of the eyes speaks of brightness… cheerfulness… warmth… friendliness… acceptance… graciousness…

b. When we express warmth, grace, and friendliness to others through our eyes, it causes THEM to rejoice!

c. It is an encouragement to them to receive such a non verbal MESSAGE of friendship… grace… warmth.

d. Consider that when folks visit the church.
• Even if you don’t get a chance to greet them VERBALLY, you can greet them with your eyes… with your facial expression.
• You can say WELCOME with your eyes and make them feel comfortable.

e. Consider this young people, when a new teen comes to the teen group for the first time. Your eyes and facial expressions can make him feel welcome… or like a fish out of water.

f. Consider this when you sing in the choir (I’m guilty of this too!)…
• We send a message through the song we sing… but also through the non-verbal communication on our faces.
• It ADDS another layer of communication to the song, There is Joy in Serving Jesus, when our faces smile as we sing.
• A choir member CAN’T smile with his mouth when singing… but he can through the LIGHT of your eyes!