Spiritual Blindness: Greatest threat to the Christian!! 2
The latter part of this article reveals the secret strategies of the devil, and how to be healed from spiritual blindness.
In the first part of this article, I mentioned the recruitment of false preachers by the devil as a means of pandemic spread of spiritual blindness. Listen to the view of Jesus about such teachers in the book of Matthew chapter 15: 13-14:
“But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
The devil also used the trend of modernization to blindfold the world. This evil modernization is not limited to dressing alone. For instance, in the mid-19th century, it was easy to distinguish a gospel musician from a worldly musician.
Presently, it is quite unfortunate that the spiritual blindness of many choristers changed the Christian inspirational style of music into the popular worldly style of music. Sometimes, you wonder if you are in a church or a disco party.
The world loves the Christendom, because majority of their styles are imitated in many churches.
But, Jesus Christ said: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19
So, anyone supporting the use of worldly styles in our way of worship to the Lord is spiritually blind.
Still on how devil spreads spiritual blindness into the church, the third point is:
3.Creation of denominations
The devil deceived many believers during the era of great persecution of the early Christians. He encouraged them to split from the Apostolic group, and to join the Catholic Church supported by the government.
The defection marked the beginning of a great spiritual blindness that is rocking the Christendom today. The first Christian group suffered division to Catholic Church. The division in Catholic led to Protestant churches. Orthodox churches sprang up. The Division at Orthodox and Protestant gave birth to Pentecostal churches.
And the chains of division continued on and on. Division and unnecessary establishment of various churches were brilliant ideas of the devil to increase the number of blind “Christians”. The non-biblical doctrines flooding the Christendom are terrible needles piercing the spiritual eyes of many ‘Christians’.
The present challenge in the Christendom is the inability to sustain the Agape love. Baptist members cannot wholeheartedly fellowship with the Deeper Life church members. The Apostolic Faith members cannot freely conduct a joint worship with the Redeem members…
It is time we open our eyes to see the damages caused by the devil. And, all Christians must reconcile on a common platform of Agape Love.
First John chapter 2 verse 10 and 11 say: “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
I am not against attending a Bible believing church. But, my findings showed that most churches create unique doctrines that can’t be traced to the true mind of God.
For instance; Some Pentecostal church leaders will insist you speak in tongues as the only sign to show that you are born-again. Some Charismatic/Pentecostal church leaders will compel you to worship idols such as; Virgin Mary, candle, water, anointing oil etc.
I can’t complete the list of various non-scriptural unique practices in most churches. And to make matters worse, the church politics in some gatherings are terrible than some government politics.
This act of segregation in the Christendom makes most people vulnerable to spiritual blindness.
Note: God did not instruct us to divide ourselves into various denominations. So, there is no space for church in heaven. Your holy lifestyle and relationship with the Lord prove your space in heaven. Huh! …bitter truth!!
John chapter 15 verse 5 and 6 say: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
4. Technology
Technology is good if you use it strictly for God’s glory. The discovery of science and technology had seriously reduced the faith of man in God. And the devil is using technology advancement to infect the spiritual eyes of many Christians.
Technology gave birth to the internet, and one of the grandchildren of technology is the social platform. And there are lots of entertainments on the internet. The entertainment world had wrecked a great havoc to many ‘Christians’ that believed in it. The only way to avoid spiritual blindness through this medium is through thorough discipline. Basically, it is wise to use the medium for evangelism.
How to Know a Spiritually Blind Person
1. Such people do not love to read the bible; they pretend to be satisfied with the pastors preaching only.
2. They love to do the things of the world. They are good at Bible misconception to prove their lukewarm lifestyles.
I marveled when I see ‘Christians’ enjoying worldly music, movies, fashion, provocative dresses, casino etc. There is no difference in the appearance of a spiritually blind ‘Christian’ and an unbeliever.
Revelation chapter 3 verse 15 to 19 say: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ –and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–… As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
Listen to Paul’s testimony of his deliverance from spiritual blindness in Second Corinthians chapter 4 verses 2 says: “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
3. Blind ‘Christians’ always argue with the word of God.
This is a common experience I encounter in the mission field. People suffering from spiritual blindness do not want to be corrected.
First Corinthians chapter 1 verse 18 says: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
4. They claimed to know everything, and their hearts filled with pride.
Proverbs chapter 16 verse 18 say: “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
How to be Free from Spiritual Blindness
1. Identify the Trap
Don’t do things because 99% of people around you are doing such. Screen every decision you intend to do with the word of God. We are now in the end time with the highest record of abominations in our midst.
God is always furious with those who refuse to surrender their lives to Him. Thus, any form of disobedience to the word of God leads to spiritual blindness.
Romans chapter 1 verse 28 to 32 says: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents… who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
2. Don’t Stiff Your Neck
A lot of people became blind in their spirit, because they refuse to believe the word of God. You have to humble yourself and give your power of choice to the Lord.
Proverbs chapter 29 verse 1 says: “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
3. Lift Up the Banner
To be free from spiritual blindness requires total readiness to follow Jesus all the days of your life. Always lift up the banner of holiness and your eyes shall experience clear visions of God’s plan for your life.
Jesus Christ is the only Healer that can heal your spiritual blindness. The proof is recorded in the book of Luke chapter 4 verse 18 where He said: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
The status of spiritual blindness implies a sinful life. And a sinful life cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So, everyone must be on alert!
If you want Jesus to open your spiritual eyes, then give your total life to Him. Rebuke worldliness, and take the word of God wholeheartedly. Put an end to misconception of the Bible, and practice total obedience to the word of God.