What steps can we take to avoid spiritual blindness like in Isaiah 29:11? The warning in Isaiah 29:11 “ And this entire vision is to you like the words of a sealed scroll. If it is given to someone who can read, he will say, ‘I cannot, because it is sealed.’ ” (Isaiah 29:11) The people in Isaiah’s day possessed God’s revelation, yet it was closed to them because their hearts had grown dull. Physical eyes saw the words, but spiritual eyes were shut. Recognizing the roots of spiritual blindness • Habitual sin that deadens sensitivity to God (Ephesians 4:17-19) • Religious form without heartfelt devotion (Isaiah 29:13) • Pride that resists correction (Proverbs 16:18) • Neglect of Scripture, leading to ignorance of truth (Hosea 4:6) • Satanic deception that veils the mind (2 Corinthians 4:4) Practical steps to keep our eyes open 1. Position the heart in humility • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) • Confess known sin quickly to keep fellowship unbroken (1 John 1:9). 2. Pursue a prayerful dependence on the Spirit • “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18) • “The Spirit of truth… will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13). 3. Read Scripture with a resolve to obey • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) • Light grows brighter for the obedient; it dims for the resistant (John 7:17). 4. Feed on the whole counsel of God • “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • A balanced diet of historical books, poetry, prophecy, Gospels, and epistles guards against selective blindness. 5. Guard against hard-hearted routine • Isaiah’s audience honored God with lips while hearts were far away (Isaiah 29:13). • Keep worship fresh through thanksgiving, repentance, and genuine praise. 6. Walk in the light that you have • “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” (1 John 1:7) • Respond promptly to conviction; delaying obedience clouds vision. 7. Stay accountable within Christ’s body • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another.” (Colossians 3:16) • Wise brothers and sisters can point out blind spots we do not see (Proverbs 27:17). 8. Test every influence by Scripture • “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits.” (1 John 4:1) • Cultural voices, media, and personal opinions must all yield to the written Word. Scriptures that reinforce the cure • Luke 24:45 — “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” • Psalm 19:8 — “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” • Revelation 3:18 — “I counsel you… to buy from Me salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” • Proverbs 4:18 — “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” A daily pattern for clear spiritual sight • Begin each morning by asking the Lord to reveal Himself through His Word. • Read a planned portion of Scripture, noting truths to believe, commands to obey, and promises to rest in. • Apply at least one specific action that day in response. • Invite the Lord to search the heart at day’s end (Psalm 139:23-24), confessing anything He uncovers. • Thank Him for every glimpse of truth and keep moving forward in obedient faith. Spiritual blindness fades when hearts stay humble, Scriptures stay open, obedience stays immediate, and reliance on the Holy Spirit stays continuous. |
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