In what ways can we avoid the spiritual blindness described in Ezekiel 12:1? Ezekiel’s Warning in Context “The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not listen, for they are a rebellious house.’” (Ezekiel 12:1–2) Recognizing the Marks of Spiritual Blindness • Hearing truth without heeding it • Seeing God’s works yet refusing to respond (John 12:37–40) • Growing comfortable with sin until conviction fades (Hebrews 3:13) Tracing the Root Cause • Deliberate rebellion: “They are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 12:2) • Hardened hearts: “This people’s heart has grown dull” (Matthew 13:15) • Satanic deception: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4) Practical Steps to Guard Against Spiritual Blindness 1. Cultivate a Soft Heart – Daily repentance keeps conscience tender (Acts 3:19) – Forgive quickly; resentment clouds spiritual sight (Ephesians 4:31–32) 2. Embrace Obedient Listening – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22) – Apply each sermon, study, or devotional to one concrete action that day 3. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word – Pray: “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18) – Read systematically; avoid picking only familiar passages (2 Timothy 3:16–17) 4. Depend on the Holy Spirit’s Illumination – Ask for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” so that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17–18) – Expect conviction and comfort; welcome both 5. Stay Accountable in Community – Meet regularly with believers who will “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13) – Invite honest feedback about blind spots (Proverbs 27:17) 6. Guard the Affections – Reject competing idols; where treasure goes, eyes follow (Matthew 6:21–23) – Fast from distractions that dull spiritual appetite 7. Keep Eternal Realities in View – Meditate on Christ’s return (1 John 3:2–3) – Let future hope sharpen present vision (2 Peter 3:11–14) Illustrative Cautions • Pharaoh witnessed ten plagues yet hardened his heart (Exodus 7–11) • Laodicea thought itself rich but was “blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17) Encouraging Promises for the Clear-Sighted • “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) • “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” (Proverbs 4:18) Living with Eyes Wide Open Choose daily responsiveness to God’s voice, humble dependence on His Spirit, and unwavering commitment to His Word. In doing so, you replace the dimness of rebellion with the bright clarity of faithful obedience. |
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