This Weeks Biblical Lesson: Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart

The “Ephesian Prayer,” especially as shared by Malcolm Smith I enjoyed this week in Rethinking God With Tacos—where he speaks of the Holy Spirit as “The Genius Teacher”—is a profound invitation into spiritual awakening, identity, and divine intimacy. It’s drawn from Ephesians 1:17–19, a prayer Paul offers not for external blessings, but for inner revelation.  

Key Scripture: Ephesians 1:17–19 (NIV)

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 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, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Reflection:

This prayer is not about asking God to do something new—it’s about asking God to help us see what’s already true. Malcolm Smith emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not a distant doctrine but a living presence, a “genius teacher” who guides us into all truth. That truth begins with identity: who we are in Christ, what we already possess, and how deeply we are loved.

Paul’s prayer is for enlightenment, not achievement. He wants believers to grasp three things:

1. The Hope of Our Calling – Not wishful thinking, but a confident expectation rooted in God’s eternal purpose.
2. The Riches of Our Inheritance – Not something we earn, but something we already have as beloved children of God.
3. The Greatness of His Power – Not distant or abstract, but alive in us, the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

This is a radical shift from striving to resting, from asking to receiving, from religion to relationship. The Holy Spirit, as Malcolm teaches, is the one who opens the “eyes of our heart” so we can live from fullness, not lack.

Application:

• Invite the Spirit to Teach You: Ask daily for wisdom and revelation—not just information, but transformation.
• See with the Heart, Not Just the Mind: Let God show you who you truly are in Christ. Identity precedes behavior.
• Live from Inheritance, Not for It: You are already blessed, already empowered, already loved. Let that truth shape your choices.
• Trust the Power Within You: The resurrection power of Jesus is not a future promise—it’s a present reality in you.

Prayer: Inspired by Ephesians 1

Holy Spirit, Genius Teacher, Friend, and Guide— Open the eyes of my heart. Let me see the hope You’ve called me to, the inheritance I already possess, and the power that lives within me. Teach me not to strive, but to rest. Not to fear, but to trust. Not to earn, but to receive. May Your wisdom and revelation shape my every thought, and may I live each day as one fully known and fully loved. In Jesus’ name, Amen 💕✌️🙏