BLIND TO THE TRUTH
By W. G. Guy
Why are most people, (those that are referred to as “the lost”), spiritually blind and can’t see or recognize TRUTH? The answer is found in the Bible:
2 Corinthians 4:1-7 – Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, 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. 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us
This leads to the question, “What is Truth”. This question was posed by the ruler, Pilot, while interviewing Jesus prior to His crucifixion.
John 18: 17-18 – Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?
Interestingly, Pilot was starring truth in the face, and failed to recognize it! Such is the case with most people throughout history: they cannot recognize the truth that Jesus Christ is and provides.
Please understand that the truth being discussed here is the eternal and spiritual truth that affects every facet of one’s life on earth. This truth is Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
Jesus Christ is Truth:
John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Note that Jesus is the only way and truth in which eternal life can be attained; and through whom to have a true relationship with God, the Heavenly Father.
The Word of God is Truth; identified as Jesus prayed for those who believe:
John 17:16-17 – They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth; He is not only truth, but is the revealer of truth:
John 16:12-14 – I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
So who, or what, is the cause of the spiritual blindness that prevents people from seeing the truth? As stated above, it is the god of this world that blinds the minds from seeing and accepting God’s TRUTH, and keeps them from believing. Being blinded means to be kept in darkness, and unable to see.
The god of this world refers to Satan, the devil. He uses the resources of this world to appeal to the weakness of human lusts, to not only distract, but blind unbelievers so they can’t see truth.
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Satan, as the god of this world, is in control of the things of this world to capture people’s attention and devotion; and to keep their attention off of Jesus Christ and God’s Word – the TRUTH.
In 2 Corinthians 4 listed above states, “the hidden things of dishonesty” which are sin and evil activities that are engaged in darkness. Sinners are focused on the sinful things of darkness where Satan rules as the god of this world. Thus they cannot, or are not willing, to see the light that refers to truth. Notice that “light” refers to revelation, knowledge and illumination; thus truth. So seeing and recognizing truth is like when the light is turned on, and now they can see. The following scriptures address this topic:
John 1:4-5 – In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The darkness refers to the sinful and immoral condition of unbelievers.
John 3:19-21 – And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The redeemed believers are no longer blind to truth because they are now in the light of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and God’s love for them.
1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Those who have not received Jesus Christ, or His Word, are thus considered to be blind. They have eyes, but cannot see, (or prefer not to see), but continue to walk in their evil darkness which they prefer.
Mark 8:18 – Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? ……
Isaiah 6:9-10 – And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed (restored or converted).
The spiritually blind either have not been introduced to Christ and His Word, or they reject that glorious knowledge preferring to continue in their foolish darkness. As the old saying goes: “There are none so blind as those who refuse to see”.
Jeremiah 5:21 – Hear now this, O foolish people, and wikthout understanding; which have eyes see, and see not, which have ears to hear, and hear not:
Blindness is not only of unbelievers in Christ and His Word, but there are many Christians who are not walking in the Light.
Maybe they once did, but their light went out. This is represented in Jesus’s telling about the ten virgins:
Matthew 25:1-8 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
All ten were expecting the coming of the bridegroom, but the five foolish ones had not made preparation to endure the watching and waiting. They failed to make it into the festivities. Why? Because their light went out! They were now in darkness.
Matthew 25:9-12 – But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Do you have the light shining in you? Is the darkness gone from your life?
The lukewarm Church of Laodicea also had a problem with blindness, like many churches today, whose focus is not fixed on Christ and His Word. They have strayed, distracted by the devil, thus they have changed their focus onto the things of this world; material things and things of the flesh that defile them.
Revelation 3:17-18 - Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Many Christians today are like those of Laodicea; lukewarm, which makes Jesus want to vomit.
Revelation 3:16 – So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Nevertheless, His love for them issued the call to repent and return to follow Him in Truth, and be the Light of the world, for
those that are desperately in need to see the Truth.
Jesus’ love constantly calls the wayward to confess their sins and turn from their selfish pursuits and fully embrace TRUTH
– Jesus Christ, His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 3:18-20 – I counsel thee to buy of me gold (faith and faithfulness) tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment (Christ’s righteousness), that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Here are a few questions to see if you are blind, or you can see the light of His Glory – TRUTH. Are you walking in the truth and the light of His glory? Do you have unfettered fellowship with Him? Does the light of His Word fill you and show forth from you so others can see the light? Does His Holy Spirit fill you with the joy of His salvation, and the power of His presence?
All of this is freely available simply by accepting what God has provided; life abundantly in Jesus Christ and the knowledge of Him through His Word.
John 1:12-14 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 3:16-18 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 14:6-7 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
There is no reason that anyone should be blind to the truth; because God made provision for all of mankind.
Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
God’s grace is His divine provision that is offered to all; that offer is received by faith, not by works. What God provides man cannot earn, it is freely given, but only through Jesus Christ!
