’For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ Matthew 13:15
The difficulty of diminished vision cannot be overstated. We go to great lengths to prevent or repair vision loss. I remember when I first got glasses at the age of twenty-one and learned how poorly I had previously perceived the world around me. It greatly improved my quality of life. Beyond improved quality of life, it also brought greater safety for me and others around me. I became aware of the danger I presented as I drove around with a distorted view of the road ahead and my surroundings. Likewise, I worked in environments that presented potential dangers due to equipment and materials with which we worked. Looking back, I am so thankful I did not injure myself or someone else due to poor vision.
As distressing and potentially dangerous as physical vision loss or blindness may be, spiritual blindness is far worse. The impact of physical blindness ends when our earthly life ends. The impact of spiritual blindness, if left uncorrected, will lead to eternal consequences and those of much greater proportions. Paul spoke of the impact of spiritual blindness in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. Satan seeks to blind our minds through unbelief in order that the light of the gospel of Christ may not shine on us (vs. 4). Paul described those so blinded as “…those who are perishing” (vs. 3). Much like the process of physical vision loss, spiritual vision loss often proceeds so slowly that we may not realize we need help until we are blinded.
We must not lay all the blame for this blindness at Satan’s feet as he can do nothing without our consent. Unlike physical blindness, we choose what happens to our spiritual vision. Jesus confirmed this when explaining His use of parables to teach heavenly things. It was not that God had denied sight to the ones who rejected Jesus’ teachings. They had closed their eyes to the point they could not see the wonderful truths He came to reveal to them (Matthew 13:15). It is true that Satan provided the temptation to blindness, but he could not force it upon them. Satan’s power to tempt us flows from our unlawful desires (James 1:13-15).
How do we prevent this deadly spiritual blindness? Thankfully, God gave a simple prescription to protect our spiritual vision. In 2 Peter 1:5-8, we find a list of things to add to (Gr. parakaleo: to call alongside) faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. In verse 9, he said that those who lacked these things “…is short-sighted, even unto blindness.” We must engage the Scriptures frequently and intently if we would avoid this spiritual blindness. The good news is, God gave assurance to those who so sharpen their spiritual focus that they will never stumble as their entrance into the eternal kingdom is secured (2 Peter 1:10-11).
We must avoid Satan’s trap and not allow him to veil the gospel and blind our minds. May we remember the words of John Heywood as he said, “There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know.” Let us always turn to “…the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Have you checked your vision today?