Keeping your eyes on the prize is concentrating on a goal you’ve set for your future; mindfulness of the desired outcome.
What does it mean to have your eyes on something? To have seen something that you want and intend to get: He’s had his eyes on a bike for some time. But in this case, keeping your eyes on the prize involves focusing on our heavenly goals.
Although the topic we’re about to discuss today was used in the early-1900s as a song title. The title of the modern song may be a reference to the Bible verse in Philippians 3:17, “keep your eyes on those who live as we do,” and in verse 14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Just as the heroes of the past kept their eyes fixed on their reward, we must keep our eyes fixed on ours. Endurance is the race that is set before us.”
Contents
Keep your Eyes on the Prize’s Meaning.
This means that you should keep your focus on achieving a positive result. The song is related to Gospel Plow, which likely originated in the early-1900s. Both songs can be classified as either American folk music or African American spirituals.
It is common in both genres for lyrics and tunes to be traded between multiple songs. Therefore, it is hard to know precisely if the music Keep Your Eyes on the Prize was the first to use the expression.
Regardless, the song has many biblical references. It may have taken the idea for the lyrics about keeping one’s eyes on the prize from verses in the Bible.
What Does The Bible Say About Keeping Your Eyes on The Prize
What will matter at the end of your life on earth? Will what you are giving attention to now still be important then? Or, will you be filled with regret for what you did — or didn’t do?
Distractions abound. TV, phone calls, websites, books, and movies. It might be a good idea to stop and evaluate how you are investing your time.
The Bible says a lot about Christians keeping their eyes on the prize. But here are a few on keeping your eyes on the prize.
1. Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”
2. Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Verse keep your Eyes on the Prize
3. Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
4. 2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
5. Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
6. Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
7. Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Eyes on the prize bible verse
8. 2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
9. 1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
10. 1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
11. Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
12. Colossians 3:1
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
13. Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
14. Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
15. Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
16. Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
17. Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
bible verse eye on the prize
18. Philippians 3:1-21
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.
If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; …
19. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.
They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
20. Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
21. Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
22. John 3:1-13
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
Bible Verse about Keeping your Eyes on the Prize
23. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
24. James 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
25. 1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
26. Acts 20:24
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
27. Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
28. Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
29. Philippians 2:16
holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
30. Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
31. Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life
32. Revelation 3:11
I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
33. 2 Timothy 2:5
Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
34. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
35. Galatians 5:7
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
36. Galatians 2:2
It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
37. Colossians 2:18
Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
38. 2 Timothy 4:8
in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
39. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air
Run toward the prize bible verse
40. Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
41. Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
42. 1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
43. 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
44. Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize Bible Verse
45. Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
46. Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Bible Verse Eye on the Prize
47. Philippians 3:1-21
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.
If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; …
48. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
49. Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
50. 1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1EHnCK0KqU
Summary
The phrase “keep your eyes on the prize” means concentrating on achieving your desired result. So in whatever we do, we should learn not to forget our purpose on earth and where we will be after our work on earth.
