BLIND BUT DON’T KNOW IT
I’ve often thought that if I had to lose any of my senses, my sight would be the last one I would want to lose. To not see, to live in darkness, must be something hard to adjust to. If one is born blind and doesn’t know what they are missing that would be different. The same is true spiritually.
We saw in my last blog that Satan is a liar. He also is a blinder – he blinds people to the truth of God’s Word (2 Corinthians 4:4). He not only speaks what is false, he hides what is true. Having done that, he can accuse Christians of being “haters” because of their stand on the absolutes of God’s Word. He can label us as politically incorrect and intolerant because others are blinded to the truth of the Bible which we proclaim.
Satan opens their eyes to any and all religions and false beliefs. It is only Christianity that is forbidden and criticized. He wants everyone to be open and accepting of everything. But they won’t be open to or accepting of those who believe in God’s Word. This results in Christians being criticized and persecuted. Some compromise their beliefs to avoid the discomfort of being rejected. They allow Satan to blind them to the truth so they can support and approve unbiblical moral, sexual and ethical trends.
Satan clothes evil with false appearances (Isaiah 5:20) so that black seems white. He make greed seem like frugality, lukewarmness appear to be moderation and compromise be labeled as open-mindedness or tolerance. He reminds unbelievers that even Jesus said to not judge others! Of course that is totally misquoting what Jesus really meant, but they allow themselves to be blinded to that as well.
Satan keeps unbeliever in bondage to their sin so that they are blinded to the better life God could provide for them if they follow Him (Galatians 4:8). That’s why it can be so hard to share Biblical truth with others. It can be like trying to explain purple to a blind person. Only as God opens their spiritual eyes will they see. Pray for those you are talking to about spiritual things to be able to understand what you are sharing.
The most dangerous form of blindness is that which is not recognized. Even Christians can allow themselves to be blinded to truth. Many are blinded because they want to be. What God says may seem too hard, unfair or not right to them so they reject truth. That’s when the enemy shows up to blind them to the truth and feed lies in its place.
Are there any truths in God’s word that you struggle with and wonder about? Do you differ from any traditional evangelical beliefs about the Bible and its teachings? Do you find yourself defending sexual values that you would have rejected several years ago? Do you justify the practices of someone because they are a loved one or influential in your life? Spend some time praying for God to show you any blind spots you may have. Confess them and ask Him to remove them.
Luke 18:40-43 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Please let me know if there are topics you would like to see addressed in a blog. I really welcome your suggestions! jerry@schmoyer.net
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer © Copyright 2019 Christian Training Organization. https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/