Heed The Watchmen

Spiritual Blindness

            There is nothing that can compare with the light of salvation through Jesus Christ. For the true believer, this is our “first love;” the source of our joy and hope, and our strength in all tribulation (John 16:33).

            Prior to that salvation, however, we walked in spiritual darkness, blinded to our true status with God. Though we recognize these conditions as spiritual in nature, it is important to also realize that the spiritual manifests physically. I think that many times believers think of the spiritual as unseen; and that whatever happens visibly can be explained by some physical law that is decidedly unspiritual. We (as believers) need to heed every word of God, and accept it as true.

            While in the flesh, Jesus showed us the spiritual connection to the physical. Sin and evil spirits were shown to be causes of many physical infirmities. What our creator has shown us is true, and He will provide the wisdom specific to each circumstance. We need to turn to the Lord first, rather than only after we have exhausted all man-made resources.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath 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 unto them. II Corinthians 4:3-4

            Our enemy Satan is the god of this world, and all who have not received Jesus Christ as their own savior are children of the devil. Without the Lord’s intervention, we are hopelessly lost (Mark 10:26-27).

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John8:43-44

            The unseen spiritual battle we fight has tangible, visible results. Consider this; how does the devil win? He wins when people reject Christ, and physically die. So doesn’t it make sense to kill individuals while they are spiritually lost? We can see by this reasoning that the physical and spiritual are inseparably linked.

            We read about a newly married couple who were on their honeymoon at an oceanfront location. While here, the man went out for a stroll by himself at night; he didn’t return to his wife. As it happened, he visited a nearby lighthouse—once at the top, he jumped and committed suicide! WHY? Such behavior seems unthinkable. Why would someone kill themselves during one of life’s happiest moments? This behavior leaves the living struggling to resolve what has happened, and why…

            Yet to me, Satan’s influence was plain. Our enemy is a murderer; somehow, at this critical time, lies spoken to this man caused him to despair of life—and end it. To help explain this event (and cast away blame), the devil tells more lies to “learned” men! He may convince them that this decision was caused by a chemical imbalance, or a previous injury, or a “gene” passed down through family lines. The devil tries to bring confusion wherever he goes—but if we will only build our foundation upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-25) in faith, we will be unmoved.

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:3-4

            Many things happen in life that seem to be inexplicable. Pray that God will give you spiritual insight to understand by faith, beyond what is only currently visible to your eyes.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:18

            The Word of God also has many examples of unreasonable behavior; these are explained very well by the concept of spiritual blindness.

            The first example we will look at is found in the book of Numbers, in chapter 16. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram here rebelled against the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? Numbers 16:3

            Before continuing with this particular incident, let’s glance back at the history leading up to it…

            No one should have doubted God’s call upon Moses; God confronted Pharaoh through Moses, bringing judgment through the plagues—which harmed only the Egyptians, not the Israelites.

            When trapped by Pharaoh’s army, God parted the Red Sea (through Moses) as a way of escape—but the Egyptians were drowned.

            The whole congregation had witnessed the Lord’s power in and around Moses; which included the provisions of food and water where otherwise nothing had been available.

            God’s calling of Moses, and His closeness to him could not be disputed; the Lord says so and shows it again in Numbers 12—Miriam is struck with leprosy for rebuking Moses’ choice of a wife.

            Finally, God brought Israel to the Promised Land. Again they rebelled, allowing their own fear and reasoning to preside over God’s instruction! The Lord then judged them with the sentence of 40 years wandering about in the wilderness.

            The people would not accept this judgment either, then deciding to change their minds, and go up and fight as previously instructed—but it was too late. They refused to obey God by going in to “possess the land,” then they refused to accept His judgment in regard to their disobedience. So Israel was soundly defeated by their enemies.

            These are the circumstances leading up to Numbers chapter 16. The Israelites were discontent with their situation, and chose to blame Moses and Aaron for it. They were blind to the fact that they were suffering because of their own sin (Numbers 14:22-25). In casting blame, blindness is shown—because it was by Moses’ intercession that Israel had been spared destruction (Numbers 14:11-20). This Moses had done numerous times. Instead of simply repenting before our merciful God, they chose to declare their own self-righteousness; and overthrow God’s leadership through Moses.

            After such continual rejection of God, only a harsh judgment could remain. How much more did the Lord have to show for them to fear and believe Him?

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalms 33:4

            The general congregation of Israel was told to separate from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram—which meant all their families and goods as well.

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind…But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. Numbers 16:28…30-33

            You would think that at least now the rest of the Israelites would get it—but not so!

But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. Numbers 16:41

            Couldn’t they see? How could Moses and Aaron make the earth open up and swallow those men? Don’t they see God’s hand in even this? Shouldn’t they be afraid of confronting Moses and Aaron further? Their behavior is truly unbelievable! This is a deep spiritual blindness; the same as what still exists today in those who have continually rebelled against the Lord. 14,700 more Israelites died at this time, in further judgment (Numbers 16:49) upon their rebellion.

            This legacy of rebellion on Israel’s part was only beginning, and is repeatedly dealt with throughout the Old Testament—even directly, in written acknowledgment.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. Jeremiah 8:5-7

            Spiritual blindness was recorded in abundance during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. In John we find the story of a woman being condemned; for she was caught in adultery. Of course, we remember Jesus response to their accusation; “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” —from John 8:7.

            A better question to ask might be, why is there only one being brought forward for adultery? Doesn’t the very nature of this sin require two? What does the law of Moses say, anyway?

And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 20:10

            It could only be a spiritual blindness that allowed them to accuse the woman, and ignore the man. These particular scribes and Pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others (Luke 18:9).

            Another interesting case is shared with us in Mark chapter 5. Jesus is encountering the man which had the Legion of devils (verse 9). After the devils were cast out, the swine herdsmen spread the news of what had happened. Were they joyful to be rid of the devils? Was there a reverence or fear of God for what Jesus had done? Shouldn’t they yield to this great power, and want the Lord on their side? I guess not…

            It is amazing what a person can get used to—and this region of Gadarenes (verse 1) had grown accustomed to their possessed man which dwelt among the tombs (verse 3). He could have even brought business to the region—people coming from all around to view the crazy, tormented guy with supernatural strength (verses 4-5)! Yes, that is my own description! Verse 15 gives a glimpse into the peoples’ negative reaction;

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. Mark 5:15-17

            They not only didn’t like losing the possessed man, but they even asked Jesus to leave! Only their spiritual blindness could view the goodness of God’s power as a curse they did not want. Please read the entire account in Mark 5:1-20, and please note that Jesus and the disciples crossed over that sea to minister to just one man!

            More blindness is shown also in relation to the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John chapter 11). Could any miracle be greater than to raise one from the dead? Surely everyone should realize, at least, that the power they are dealing with is directly from God. Especially the Pharisees, with all of their religious knowledge, ought to recognize this! But they, too, were blind…

            Not only did they seek to put Jesus to death, but Lazarus also (John 12:10-11)! Weren’t they afraid? Didn’t they wonder how, or even if they could kill Jesus—who obviously had mastery over death? And wouldn’t you hesitate about trying to kill one who had been dead already? All reasoning from sound minds disappeared; this is a special gift God brings to His children through the Holy Ghost (II Timothy 1:7). Apart from the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we would be just as blind.

            Our God also takes credit for “hardening hearts,” “strong delusion,” and spiritual sleep or blindness. There comes a time when God stops striving with us (Genesis 6:3); our last rejection of the Lord’s moving became our last chance, as our God will force no one to receive Him.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.  John 12:36-40

            We find God warning His people about this, even shortly after delivering them from Egypt. Yes, God chose Israel; but they still had to follow Him diligently, or be lost.

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:… The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: Deuteronomy 28:15-28

            The great darkness (Matthew 6:23) of spiritual blindness leads to spiritual sleep; a very brief time of rest, shortly before God brings judgment.

In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD. I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats. Jeremiah 51:39-40

            Even we believers need to be warned about this phenomenon of spiritual blindness. We are not immune to all blindness, while living in the flesh. To have understanding and faith regarding these issues will help us to explain the strange actions or reactions we see among the unsaved. But it should also serve as a warning from our creator to press on toward spiritual perfection (Philippians 3:12-15), and to bring forth our deeds into the light—to be sure that they are right in God’s eyes (John 3:21).

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Ephesians 4:17-18

            As we have come into these last days, spiritual blindness has become the rule. God’s words have been changed, deleted, or ignored so often, and this by many supposedly “Christian” scholars, no one is really sure what to believe.

            Yet false prophets continually speak messages of health, wealth, and popularity to church congregations. These messages are just what keep the people happy, and offerings full! Surely only select people were called upon to deny themselves, and take up their crosses; this seems to be the reasoning; and God’s Word pegs it!

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. Isaiah 56:10-12

            The time period we are in is the one of the falling away, spoken of in II Thessalonians 2:3. This passage tells us that the antichrist will be brought forth by Satan; and bring the “deceivableness of unrighteousness” in them that perish. Why? Because they received not the love of the truth, to be saved (II Timothy 4:3,4). Because of this, God has sent to them strong delusion (II Thessalonians 2:11); so that they will continue to believe the lies. To the intent that “they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”—see the whole passage, II Thessalonians 2:2-12

            Note also that in this passage, the term unrighteousness is used to oppose “truth”; not the terms sin, iniquity, or evil. Why? I believe because much unrighteousness is presented falsely as God’s will—even as King Saul showed in I Samuel 15. This is a “form of godliness,” which has denied His power (II Timothy 3:5). We should also acknowledge that many things may be displeasing to God which are not addressed directly in the scriptures; this would also be unrighteousness.

            Jesus warned us that these last days would be filled with false Christs and false prophets, performing signs and wonders—and deceiving a great many. We need to take His warnings seriously, and cling tenaciously to the truth of God’s Word (KJV). Testing the spirits, and searching the scriptures to verify what is being taught.

            Do not take your spiritual vision for granted. Continue to press even deeper into the truth of Christ, and cling to Him for your spiritual life. Remember that the deceived do not realize that they are, or else they would not be.

            Take time to lay hold of the truth, and every wonderful word of counsel given by the one whose every promise is yes, and amen, to the glory of God (II Corinthians 1:20).

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:11,12