Men and women have found it very difficult over the years to take “their own glasses off” (figuratively speaking) and to “put on God’s glasses.” Meaning—when we grow accustomed to seeing things the way we see them, wanting things the way we want them, directing things in the way we want them to go, it is tough to stop…take a step back…remove “our glasses” (which show us the world as we would have it)…and “put on God’s glasses” (to see things the way He would have us to see them).
Let me give you a few New Testament examples to explain. In Matthew 16, Jesus predicted that He would “suffer many things…be killed, and be raised the third day” (v. 21). Peter, who could only see this matter “through his eyes,” took Jesus aside and “began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’” (v. 22). Note carefully these words of Jesus to the one who was only seeing things his way, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (v. 23). Peter was not trying to see this the way that God would; he was still looking through man’s glasses.
In similar wording in Philippians 2:20-21, Paul contrasted Timothy (of whom Paul had “no one like-minded” unto himself) with “all the others.” Paul gave only these two options for how to approach life: “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” To seek one’s own desires and direction in life is directly opposed to seeking the things of Christ. One cannot do both. This is exactly what Jesus was saying to Peter in Matthew 16.
In Romans 10, Paul spoke of his Jewish brethren, who “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (10:3). Men must choose their path. To seek to do things your own way (and establish your own righteousness) is counter-productive and contrary to the righteousness of God. It’s like trying to walk on a path but trying to walk in a northerly direction and a southerly direction at the same time. It is absolutely impossible. “No man can serve two masters,” no matter who those masters might be (Matt. 6:24). The one who tries to focus on his own desires, worries, concerns and ambitions, while at the same time supposing to follow after God, “is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).
Let’s take our own glasses off and put God’s glasses on! Then, and only then, will all become clear (2 Cor. 3:18).