Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Blinded

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The concept of spiritual blindness is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with the character of the wicked. This blindness is not merely a physical inability to see but a profound spiritual condition that prevents individuals from perceiving and understanding divine truth. The wicked, in their rebellion against God, are frequently depicted as being blinded to the reality of God's righteousness and the consequences of their actions.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Corinthians 4:4 : "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This verse highlights the role of Satan, referred to as "the god of this age," in blinding the minds of those who reject the gospel. The wicked are unable to see the truth of Christ's glory due to this spiritual blindness.

2. John 12:40 : "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them." Here, the apostle John quotes Isaiah, illustrating how God allows the wicked to remain in their blindness as a judgment for their persistent unbelief and hard-heartedness.

3. Romans 1:21 : "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." The apostle Paul describes how the wicked, despite knowing God, choose not to honor Him, resulting in futile thinking and darkened hearts—a metaphor for spiritual blindness.

4. Ephesians 4:18 : "They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage speaks to the condition of the wicked, whose understanding is darkened, further alienating them from God due to their willful ignorance and hardened hearts.

Characteristics of Spiritual Blindness:

· Rejection of Truth: The wicked are characterized by their rejection of divine truth. Despite evidence of God's existence and His moral law, they choose to suppress this truth, leading to a state of blindness (Romans 1:18-19).

· Moral Corruption: Spiritual blindness often results in moral corruption. The inability to perceive God's holiness and righteousness leads the wicked to engage in sinful behaviors without remorse (Ephesians 4:19).

· Pride and Self-Deception: The wicked are often blinded by pride, believing themselves to be wise while being deceived by their own understanding (Proverbs 26:12). This self-deception further entrenches them in their blindness.

· Resistance to Repentance: Spiritual blindness makes the wicked resistant to repentance. Their hardened hearts prevent them from turning to God for healing and forgiveness (Acts 28:27).

Consequences of Spiritual Blindness:

The spiritual blindness of the wicked has dire consequences. It leads to a separation from God, as they are unable to comprehend His love and grace. This condition ultimately results in judgment, as they remain unrepentant and continue in their rebellion against God. The Bible warns that those who persist in their blindness will face eternal separation from the presence of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

In summary, the character of the wicked is marked by a profound spiritual blindness that affects their ability to perceive and respond to God's truth. This blindness is both a result of their own choices and a judgment from God, leading to a life of moral corruption and eventual separation from Him.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world has 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 to them.
Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 4:18
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:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Enmity Between Man and Satan
... The spirit which put Christ to death moves the wicked to destroy His ... exceeding evil
and malignity of sin, and they are blinded both to the character and the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 30 enmity between man.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan.
... The spirit which put Christ to death moves the wicked to destroy His ... exceeding evil
and malignity of sin, and they are blinded both to the character and the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /30 enmity between man and.htm

Zedekiah
... his sons slain before his eyes, and, as soon as he had seen that last sight, was
blinded, fettered, and ... I. A weak character is sure to become a wicked one. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/zedekiah.htm

The Doctrine of Satan.
... HIS CHARACTER. ... Matt.13:19, 39""Then cometh the wicked one ... 2 Cor.4:4""In whom the god
of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." He is ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of satan.htm

Who are My Brethren?
... this light that the eyes are blinded and the ... irreverent criticism reacts upon the
character, in fostering ... himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 33 who are my.htm

The Knowledge of God Stifled or Corrupted, Ignorantly or ...
... 4. The wicked never willingly come into the presence of ... do not conceive of him in
the character in which ... adds that they were deservedly blinded, because, not ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 the knowledge of.htm

The Present Recompense
... or rise to fame and power, by base and wicked means ... We see that that character, though
it be still imperfect ... see and hear, because his eyes are blinded, and his ...
/.../all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxix the present recompense.htm

Letter vi. Temptation.
... In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds ... by way of eminence, "The Wicked."
He is altogether wicked. There is not one good quality in his character. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

The First Book
... by the wicked; the wicked were blinded and the ... that he is loath to punish even wicked
men; to ... the enormity of their crimes, the disgraceful character of their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Of the Passion of Jesus Christ; that it was Foretold.
... He might teach it and mould the character of man. ... For their own folly hath blinded
them, and they do ... that impious design entered into by the wicked against God ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvi of the passion of.htm