The senses

The senses

On page 3 we read:

“This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to come, out at which to go, and these were made likewise answerable to the walls; to wit impregnable, and such as could never be opened nor forced, but by the will and leave of those within. The names of the gates were these, Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate and Feel-gate”.

Bunyan is not referring to physical senses of hearing, seeing, touch, taste, and smell, but to spiritual senses. In Psalm 115 v 4 to 8 we hear the heathen idols, and their creators described:

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: They have hands , but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them”.

Without faith in Christ we are deaf, blind, senseless, tasteless, and unable to smell the truth as revealed in the Bible. The human mind refuses to open the gates of the spiritual senses and allow Christ the redeemer to enter. Christ has to forcible break down these gates in order to save a human soul. We are reminded of 2 Cor 4 v 3-4

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.

If you find yourself unable to understand or believe the gospel of saving grace through faith in the crucified Christ it is because the god of this world has blinded you. You cannot see beyond the tangible to the spiritual. You cannot think of anything except making money, friends, and having fun. Still there is hope. Christ is the light that will help you to see spiritual things. Ask Him in prayer to awaken all of your senses to the spiritual things in life.