What practical steps can we take to avoid spiritual blindness as seen in Acts 13:11? Setting the Scene in Acts 13:11 “Look! The hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately, mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13:11) Recognize the Danger of Spiritual Blindness • Elymas rejected the clear teaching of the gospel, so God withdrew light and understanding. • Spiritual blindness is not merely ignorance; it is the consequence of resisting truth already revealed (John 9:39–41; 2 Corinthians 4:4). • The same danger exists today when we harden our hearts against God’s Word. What Fuels Blindness? • Pride that trusts personal insight over God’s (Proverbs 3:5–6). • Ongoing, unconfessed sin that dulls the conscience (1 John 2:11). • False teaching and deceptive influences (2 Peter 2:1). • Passive hearing without obedient response (James 1:22). Practical Steps to Keep Our Eyes Open 1. Stay Anchored in Scripture • Daily reading, study, and meditation keep truth before our eyes. • “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18) • Let the Word judge motives and expose blind spots (Hebrews 4:12). 2. Seek the Spirit’s Illumination • Ask for enlightened hearts before, during, and after reading. • “I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…” (Ephesians 1:18) • Depend on the Spirit, not intellect alone (1 Corinthians 2:12–14). 3. Practice Immediate Obedience • Truth applied becomes spiritual sight; truth ignored grows dim. • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) • Obedience reinforces clarity; disobedience invites blindness. 4. Keep Short Accounts with God • Regular confession and repentance clear away the film of sin. • “If we walk in the light as He is in the light… the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) 5. Cultivate Humility • Admit continual need for God’s perspective. • Laodicea’s boast, “I am rich,” led to blindness (Revelation 3:17–18). • Humility keeps us teachable and receptive. 6. Guard Your Influences • Evaluate media, friendships, and teachers by Scripture. • Refuse ideas that oppose God’s revealed truth (Colossians 2:8). • Replace them with wholesome, gospel-centered input. 7. Maintain Fellowship and Accountability • Transparent relationships help spot blind spots. • “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him…” (Galatians 6:1) • Welcome correction from trusted believers. 8. Serve and Share the Light • Spiritual sight sharpens as we act on truth by loving service and evangelism. • Elymas tried to turn the proconsul from the faith; we do the opposite, pointing others to Christ (Matthew 5:14-16). The Ongoing Choice Spiritual clarity is not a one-time gift but a daily walk. By humbly embracing Scripture, yielding to the Spirit, and acting on what we know, we remain in the light and avoid the tragic mist that fell on Elymas. |
    |