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I Corinthians 13:12  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.

I Corinthians 13:13 (YLT)  for we see now through a mirror obscurely, and then face to face; now I know in part, and then I shall fully know, as also I was known;

What does it mean to see through a glass darkly?

It means it is really hard to really comprehend what you are seeing.

This  relates to understanding as well.  There is a saying that “the lightbulb went on”,  or that you have a “light bulb moment”.  

It means a person really understands the topic at hand.  Teachers look for this light of recognition in the faces and countenances of the students they teach.

If a person is not “getting the point” or if a person is “seeing through a glass darkly”,  are there ways to clean the glass?  What can be done?  Are there ways to shed more light on the topic at hand?

The Apostle Paul prayed this prayer as a model we can pray as well.

Ephesians 1:15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, 16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Another way to increase light is to follow what you do understand as fully as you can.  As you do, new points of awareness or steps become more apparent.

If you are walking with someone outside in the yard, and the other person is holding the flashlight, if you want more light what do you do?  Do you walk closer to the person?  Or do you walk farther away from the person?  Get as close to the light as you can and you will have more light.

Proverbs 4:18  But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light
that shines more and more until the perfect day.

 

Isaiah 2:5 (KJV)   O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Meditate on the Word of God.

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of your words gives light.
It gives understanding to the simple.