Adapted from Spiritual Blindness by Mike Paalz
Read 2 Corinthians 4:4
For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
In Scripture, spiritual blindness refers to a lack of understanding or perception of God’s truth. It is a spiritual condition that affects the heart and mind, preventing a person from seeing or responding to God’s message. This blindness is not physical but reflects a deeper spiritual reality: being closed off to the light of God.
In Isaiah’s time, spiritual blindness was rampant among the people of Israel. Isaiah lived in a period of rebellion and idolatry, where God’s chosen people had turned away from Him. Despite years of warnings from prophets, they continued to worship false gods and ignore God’s laws. When God called Isaiah as a prophet, He challenged him to preach to a people whose hearts had grown hard. God told Isaiah that many would hear his message but refuse to respond, their hearts had grown dull and their eyes blinded to the truth (Isaiah 6:9-10).
Jesus later referred to Isaiah’s prophecy when explaining why some people in His day rejected His teaching. In Matthew 13, Jesus described how many who saw His miracles and heard His words still could not grasp the truth because their hearts were closed off. They were unwilling to repent or acknowledge their need for God (Matthew 13:13-15).
Spiritual blindness can stem from pride. The Pharisees, a group of religious leaders in Jesus’ time known for their strict observance of the law, often viewed themselves as morally superior. They believed they saw the truth clearly but were blind to their own need for salvation. After healing a blind man, Jesus said, “I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (John 9:39). This statement revealed that the Pharisees’ confidence in their self-righteousness kept them from seeing their need for Him (John 9:40-41).
Suffice it to say, that understanding spiritual blindness requires humility. It calls us to examine our hearts and acknowledge that, without God, we are all blind to the truth. Today, reflect on whether there are areas in your life where you might be resistant to God’s light. Ask Him to open your eyes so that you can see clearly and follow Him wholeheartedly.
