Spiritual Blindness and Cure

Spiritual Blindness - Need sight restored or maybe glasses?

Paul wrote of a coming time of spiritual darkness. That there would soon come a time when "evil men and impostors" (corrupt teachers) would grow worse and worse deceiving many and being deceived themselves (2 Timothy 3:13). That there would come a time when mankind would not put up with the pure Word of God because it would make them have to deal with unpleasant feelings like "conviction, guilt, shame, remorse" due to their desire to follow after sensual pleasure rather than God's will.
“2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
As a result of willing spiritual blindness, they would seek Teachers of the scriptures who agreed with them, who taught what they wanted to hear. In these days and times, you know the type, always teaching feel good sermons and never teaching reproof or correction to their congregations. Mankind would then turn away from the truth of the Word of God and follow instead the doctrine of men, furthering destroying any inkling of spiritual "sight" (spiritual understanding).
“2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
When people lack the ability to spiritually see (perceive) what is really going on around them, it is at that point they and the world are most open to deception, to loss of the freedoms God wants His children to have, and open to personal defeat in life.

The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from God and depends upon Him. The eternal Word of God is the True Light that shines in the darkness of this world and the darkness can not comprehend the Light of the Word of God. It is only the Light of God's Word, the Gospel of Christ, the knowledge obtained through the "study of the Word of God," that keeps the darkness of the deceptions of the world from blinding our understanding of God's Word and keeping us in the darkness.
“John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
“1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Darkness literally is the state of sin mankind fell into with the treason committed by Adam. It is all inclusive of everything in opposition to God and His will. The darkness of this world encompasses the Kingdom and rule of the Devil on the earth. Everyone encapsulated in darkness have lost their ability to "spiritually see" and have been removed from all hope. This spiritual blindness is the state that the Devil tries to perpetuate from generation to generation. When the understanding of and the ability to comprehend God's light is removed from an individual or a nation, at that point the Devil's kingdom on earth rules individuals and nations. These individuals and nations become "servants of Satan" and are the tools the Devil utilizes to further spread his rebellion against God among men. Every man or woman who dies without accepting the one true God and His only son, Jesus Christ are lost for all eternity. The Devil's only weapon against God is to steal as many potential adopted children as he can and keep them from eternal salvation. We must constantly keep our eyes open to behold this Light of God's Word that we may walk in it and be made wise by God's wisdom to receiving salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual blindness is the effect of sin. This effect is a residual build up in our lives. As we remove ourselves from compliance to our Christian walk and convince ourselves that things we are instructed to avoid are permissible, we are putting our goals toward earthly things as the expense of the loss of heavenly rewards. We have the responsibility of where we set our hearts. The more we allow the world to corrupt our hearts from God the worse our vision becomes and without the correction of the Word of God, blindness is on its way.
“Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"
“John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

Spiritual blindness is the effect of unbelief. The effect of the unbelief of Israel was the inclusion of us Gentiles to become heirs of salvation and the promises of God. When people choose not to believe God and His Word they walk in darkness. Those in the world who are truly lost are the people we encounter who can not even begin to comprehend anything of the Gospel. These are the people we have received the ministry of reconciliation to help. In our battle with the god of this world (the Devil), these are his captives we have been called to rescue.

“Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?"”
“2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 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. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

Spiritual blindness leads to active participation in all areas of evil. Through ignorance of God and His will it is impossible to please God. Without knowledge of God it becomes easy to fall into the secular humanism trap of positioning yourself as your own god. The false concept that man is God prevalent today, provides no restraint from active practice and enjoyment of the things that God teaches us will destroy us. It is only through learning the will of God (His Word) and living the things we learn in application, that we can grow in maturity of the life of freedom and salvation we have received in Christ Jesus.
“Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Spiritual blindness is the effect of self-righteousness. The tricks of the Devil have been the same from the beginning and the easiest trick he has in his arsenal to use against us, is the ease at which people can be influenced into the feeling of superiority over others around them. Most of us have encountered these "holier than thou" types. They go through the motions of worshiping God without any real feelings for the people who are lost around them. Jesus told the Pharisees that they went to extremes to convert someone they approved of and only created a "worshipper" two times the child of hell they themselves were! In their hypocrisy they lost all perspective of right and wrong and were offended by insignificant things yet welcomed and accepted large offenses ("strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel"). The self-righteous are one of the most effective tools the Devil uses to keep people from receiving the truth of God's Word. They are offensive to those in need of salvation and drive the unbeliever further and further into unbelief.
“Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

Spiritual blindness is consistent with a lack of fellowship with God and our fellow believers. While we are in darkness due to our spiritual blindness, we can have no fellowship with God because of the sin in our lives which generates fear to approach God and distrust of our brothers & sisters. In contrast, when we walk in the light of God and His Word we can have true fellowship with God and our fellow believers. The easy promise in solution is that Jesus Christ is our "defense attorney" with God and our sins are forgiven.

“1 John 1:5-2:2 - 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Hate and a lack of love for your brother in Christ is proof of the presence of spiritual blindness in your life. Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as the author of our salvation we begin to operate on the principle of love (which fulfills all of the law). There is no way that we can hate our brother or sister and be able to love God we can not see. When we let hate, dislike, and prejudice rule in our life, we are in darkness and will not be able to see the traps along the way set by our adversary.
“1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."

Spiritual blindness of Ministers is fatal to themselves and to the people they teach. The Pharisees were teaching doctrine of men as the doctrine of God. The were corrupting the Word of God for their own profit and failing to lead the believers into the light of God. If your "Preacher" or "Pastor" is too blind to function as a "seeing eye dog" for the congregation maybe it's time to get another one so you don't end up falling from God's grace.
“Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

The wicked who have chosen to willfully be the enemy of God are guilty of pre-meditated spiritual blindness.
“Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,"

Jesus Christ was appointed to remove spiritual blindness by God. In Isaiah it was prophesied that Jesus would be the light of the Gentiles, the opener of the eyes of the blind, the restorer of sight and light to them in the prison of the Devil's construction. Jesus said that he was the light of the world sent to expose the darkness of the adversary. Our risen lord and savior has given us the sight of the salvation from God.
“Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."
“John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
“John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."
“2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 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. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

We have the ministry of reconciliation and we have received God's mercy and it is up to us to share what we have received with others and to heal their blindness and we have had our blindness healed. We have been delivered from spiritual blindness when we believed and became members of the body of Christ.
“1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

When we examine the records of events recorded in the Old Testament, is basically the same cause over and over again that caused the pain, defeat, captivity, and death of God's chosen people. Sin leading to unbelief leading to spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness was the tool used to rob the line of believers of the blessings God had available for them to receive. Spiritual blindness is the true cause of most of the problems we see in society today and the divisions we see today in the church. Spiritual blindness is the cause of persecution and hatred. It is the reason for every category of sin conceivable and is the point of justification for every wrong done today, to them who believe God's Word and hold it forth actively. Spiritual blindness is the cause of the rejection of God from rule of the land and education of the children.

When we sincerely work to replace the darkness in our lives with the light of God's Word through the renewing of our minds to God's Word, our light will effectively shine out to rescue others around us. By studying we not only show ourselves approved of God but we increase the strength of the light of God in our lives and our countries. As we walk in the light, where ever we go we dispel the darkness of the Devil and produce conclusive victories in our spiritual battle.

We must put on the armor of God and our main offensive weapon is the Word of God. With our spiritual understanding and vision unhindered, our Sword of the Spirit is a mighty weapon the devil can not stand against.