Overcoming spiritual blindness takes God’s intervention and a person’s desire to come to the Lord. When I was a small boy, I remember visiting my great-grandfather, who had gone blind in his old age. Being physically blind is a tragedy because it keeps one from seeing the environment, but an even more significant disability is spiritual blindness.
When you are spiritually blind, it keeps you from understanding the good news of Jesus that others can see easily. Jesus calls Himself the light of the world because when He opens our spiritual eyes, it changes us in the present and eternity. John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life.” [1]
Paul Knew What it Was Like to be Spiritually Blind
The Apostle Paul had compassion for the people of Athens who were spiritually blind like he was when he was a young adult. Paul persecuted Christians before encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, and God physically blinded him. Three days later, the Lord sent a believer to pray over him to restore his sight. Through this experience, Paul realized Jesus was the Messiah. As a result, the Lord would use him to reach people who were also spiritually blind, like the people of Athens.
Acts 17:18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” [2] Paul proclaimed the word of Jesus and patiently waited for the Holy Spirit to work in people’s hearts. The Holy Spirit guided Paul to tell them the good news of Jesus, but he could not open their hearts. As our story unfolds, some people would respond to the good news of Jesus and go from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.
Spiritual Vision
When I responded to the Gospel and placed my faith in Jesus, it opened my spiritual eyes. Opening our eyes is God’s grace as you cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit. We can harden our hearts or respond to the Lord as He calls us. When our eyes are open, the word of the Lord comes alive as the Lord further reveals Himself.
As God transforms us, we learn how to live the way the Lord intends, with a plan and a purpose for Him. How has your new life in Christ given you compassion for others who don’t yet know Jesus? Who has the Lord placed on your heart that needs to hear the Gospel? Will you reach out and share His message?
To learn more about overcoming spiritual blindness, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/empowered-far
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 8:12). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 17:18). Tyndale House Publishers.