Topical Encyclopedia Definition and NatureSpiritual blindness refers to the inability or unwillingness to perceive and understand spiritual truths. It is a condition where individuals are unable to see the reality of God's kingdom, His truth, and His work in the world. This blindness is not merely a lack of knowledge but a deeper, spiritual incapacity to recognize and accept divine revelation. Biblical Foundation The Bible frequently addresses the concept of spiritual blindness, often attributing it to the influence of the devil. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 , the Apostle Paul writes, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Here, "the god of this age" refers to Satan, who actively works to obscure the truth of the gospel from those who do not believe. Old Testament Insights The Old Testament also speaks to the condition of spiritual blindness. In Isaiah 6:9-10 , God instructs the prophet Isaiah, "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes." This passage highlights the judgment upon those who persistently reject God's message, resulting in a hardened heart and spiritual blindness. New Testament Teachings Jesus frequently addressed spiritual blindness during His earthly ministry. In John 9:39-41 , after healing a man born blind, Jesus declares, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." The Pharisees, who were physically able to see, were spiritually blind due to their pride and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. In Matthew 13:13-15 , Jesus explains why He speaks in parables: "This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’" This spiritual blindness is a result of their hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept the truth. The Role of the Devil The devil plays a significant role in perpetuating spiritual blindness. As the deceiver, he seeks to keep individuals in darkness, preventing them from coming to the knowledge of the truth. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers of the spiritual battle: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Overcoming Spiritual Blindness The Bible provides hope for overcoming spiritual blindness through the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 26:18 , Paul recounts his commission from Jesus: "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me." The transformative power of the gospel, through the Holy Spirit, can open the eyes of the spiritually blind, leading them to salvation and truth. Responsibility of Believers Believers are called to be light in a world darkened by spiritual blindness. In Matthew 5:14-16 , Jesus instructs, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Christians are to live in such a way that their lives reflect the truth and light of Christ, helping to dispel the darkness of spiritual blindness around them. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Corinthians 4:4In 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Showing How Some Men Live Contrary to These Exercises Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers. Various Experiences in Gospel Work How to Work for God with Success. Again, Christ, after his Glorification in Heaven, Says, "Behold I ... The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly Spiritual Appetite Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge. Against those who Object Because the Devil Has not Been Put Out of ... A Warning Rejected. Resources Why do most Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah? | GotQuestions.orgIs it sometimes God's will for believers to be sick? | GotQuestions.org Who was Bar-Jesus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Blindness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Blindness of Animals, Disqualified for a Sacrifice Blindness: Disqualified for Priestly office Blindness: Miraculous Healing of Blindness: Miraculously Inflicted Upon the Sodomites Blindness: The Miraculous Healing of a Man Born Blind Blindness: The Miraculous Healing of a Man of Bethsaida Blindness: The Miraculous Healing of Bartimaeus Spiritual Blindness is Consistent With Communion With God Spiritual Blindness of Ministers, Fatal to Themselves and to the People Spiritual Blindness: A Work of the Devil Spiritual Blindness: Christ Appointed to Remove Spiritual Blindness: Christ's Ministers are Lights to Remove Spiritual Blindness: Churches of Laodicea Spiritual Blindness: Explained Spiritual Blindness: Judicially Inflicted Spiritual Blindness: Leads to all Evil Spiritual Blindness: Pray for the Removal of Spiritual Blindness: Removal of, Illustrated Spiritual Blindness: Saints are Delivered From Spiritual Blindness: Scribes and Pharisees Spiritual Blindness: The Effect of Sin Spiritual Blindness: The Self-Righteous are In Spiritual Blindness: The Wicked are In Spiritual Blindness: The Wicked Wilfully Guilty of Spiritual Blindness: Unbelief, the Effect of Spiritual Blindness: Uncharitableness, a Proof of Related Terms |
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