Shortsightedness, in a biblical context, refers to a lack of spiritual vision or insight, often resulting in a failure to understand or prioritize eternal truths and values. This concept is not explicitly named in Scripture but is illustrated through various passages and teachings that highlight the importance of spiritual discernment and long-term perspective.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Peter 1:9 : "But whoever lacks these qualities is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that he has been cleansed from his past sins." This verse emphasizes the danger of spiritual shortsightedness, where a believer fails to cultivate virtues such as faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Such a lack of growth and maturity can lead to spiritual blindness, causing one to forget the transformative work of Christ in their life.

2. Matthew 6:19-21 : "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus warns against the shortsightedness of focusing on earthly wealth and possessions, urging believers to invest in eternal treasures that align with God's kingdom.

3. James 4:13-14 : "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This passage cautions against the shortsightedness of making plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty and the transient nature of life.

4. Luke 12:16-21 : The Parable of the Rich Fool illustrates the folly of shortsightedness. The rich man focuses solely on his material wealth, planning to build bigger barns to store his surplus, without considering his spiritual state or the brevity of life. God calls him a fool for not being "rich toward God," highlighting the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over temporal gains.

Theological Implications:

Shortsightedness in the spiritual realm often results from a focus on immediate gratification, worldly success, or personal ambition, neglecting the eternal perspective that Scripture calls believers to maintain. It can lead to a life that is unfruitful and disconnected from the purposes of God. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate spiritual vision through prayer, study of the Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their lives reflect the eternal values of God's kingdom.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where shortsightedness may have taken root. This involves assessing priorities, values, and daily decisions to ensure they align with God's eternal purposes. Engaging in regular self-reflection, community accountability, and seeking wisdom from mature believers can help guard against the pitfalls of spiritual shortsightedness.1. (a.) Not able to see far; nearsighted; myopic. See Myopia.

2. (a.) Fig.: Not able to look far into futurity; unable to understand things deep; of limited intellect.

3. (a.) Having little regard for the future; heedless.

3467. muopazo -- to be shortsighted
... to be shortsighted. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: muopazo Phonetic Spelling:
(moo-ope-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I blink, see dimly Definition: I am short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3467.htm - 6k

Synopsis. --Account to be Made of the Law of Atrophy through ...
... foundry. It is shortsighted not to foresee the inevitable effect on our
theological material of the law of atrophy through disuse. ...
/.../whiton/miracles and supernatural religion/vii synopsis account to be made.htm

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
... our own unsupported opinion, or the self-sufficient exercise of our own supposed
discernment;"what with our insolent mistrust; or our shortsighted folly and ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vi the doctrine of.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
... and faith. Now, we must show here, how shortsighted and diseased nature
is, and how of itself it can do nothing that is good. God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xi on the feast.htm

Chapter xxvi
... The pronounced parallel between events in Isaac's life and those of Abraham's can
only disturb those who are too shortsighted to see that similar characters ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

Traders for the Master
... of another. A reader who has missed that distinction must be very shortsighted,
or sworn to make out a case against the Gospels. I ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/traders for the master.htm

Mark 10:32-34: See Mark 8:31, P. 219. ]
... And her request has commonly been regarded as the mean and shortsighted intrigue
of an ambitious woman, recklessly snatching at an advantage for her family ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 35-40 mark 10 32-34 see.htm

Judas
... They did not see their opportunities, he thought, and take advantage of circumstances.
The church would never prosper with such shortsighted men as leaders. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 76 judas.htm

Ep. xxxix. A Recommendation of one Amazonius, Whose Learning was ...
... For in a short time he shewed proof of an extensive education, both of the kind
which I used once to be very zealous for, when I was shortsighted, and of that ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xxxix a recommendation of.htm

Love in the Old Covenant.
... not that is evil.' Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt hate thine enemy';
but I say unto you: Love your enemies.' And whatever shortsighted Moses may ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxix love in the old.htm

Of the Fact that they were Justly Punished, who Sinned Before the ...
... everything perfect, nor would there have been need for anything to have been added
to His original arrangement"as if it were shortsighted and imperfect"if ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxiv of the fact.htm

Shortsighted (1 Occurrence)
... intellect. 3. (a.) Having little regard for the future; heedless.
Multi-Version Concordance Shortsighted (1 Occurrence). 2 Peter ...
/s/shortsighted.htm - 7k

Nearsighted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Seeing distinctly at short distances only;
shortsighted. Multi-Version Concordance Nearsighted (1 Occurrence). ...
/n/nearsighted.htm - 6k

Short-sighted (1 Occurrence)
Short-sighted. Shortsighted, Short-sighted. Shoshanim . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY NAS). Shortsighted, Short-sighted. Shoshanim . Reference Bible.
/s/short-sighted.htm - 6k

Shortness (1 Occurrence)

/s/shortness.htm - 7k

How can we express our doubt to God without offending Him (Malachi 2:17; 3:14-15)? | GotQuestions.org

Shortsighted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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