In my last post, entitled “Spiritual blindness (Part 1)”, I pointed out two detrimental factors that can lead us to spiritual amaurosis, namely, hatred towards a brother and a stagnant Christian life. In what follows, we are going to look at other causes of Christian amaurosis as revealed in the Scriptures.

Third cause of spiritual blindness: An attitude of fault-finding

The person who goes around judging and criticizing others regarding trivial issues is, according to the Scriptures, on the road to blindness.

The context of Jesus’ words, as reported in Luke chapter six, is quite revealing:

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6:41,42)

These words were triggered by the Pharisees’ attitude. They were pointing the finger at the disciples, accusing them of having broken the law (see Luke 6:1,2), for they were plucking heads of grain and eating them on the Sabbath. Now the Law permitted the plucking and the eating (Deut. 23:25), therefore their accusation had to do with the Sabbath and was established on the following passage:

Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.” (Exodus 34:21)

The Pharisees were equating plucking heads of grain with harvesting. Of course, this interpretation was not only subjective; it was altogether erroneous. No wonder Jesus corrected them. The thing is, the person determined to accuse someone will go a long way to find substance to fulfill his desire, and if nothing can be found, he will invent something from ex nihilo.

The next portion of scripture confirms this malevolent approach:

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.” (Luke 6:6–11)

This kind of attitude is a sure path towards blindness. No wonder Jesus referred to these Pharisees as blind leaders of the blinds (Matt. 15:14). I am not saying nothing can be judged. I am only saying that if our heart is malevolent, our spiritual sight will diminish and darkness will eventually settle in.

The Pharisees’ stance is resumed in the Book of Isaiah, which reads:

For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: 21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.” (Isaiah 29:20,21 KJV)

These words beautifully define the speck found in Luke chapter six. May God help us to stay away from such a devilish attitude.

Fourth cause of spiritual blindness: A lack of spiritual honesty

The person who pretends to have sharp spiritual sight while being blind, or nearly so, is establishing himself on the cement of amaurosis. The Pharisees were in that state. They claimed to have eagle eyes (John 9:41) while being in a state of blindness (Matt. 15:14). This sort of pretense secludes the pretender from the hope of seeing, for it severs the person from a call for help and cuts the needed spiritual reform asunder. In contrast, when a person is sufficiently honest to confess his real condition, hope is engendered, for the possibility to react is no longer suffocated. That’s what happened to the blind man from Bethsaida. He didn’t hide his need but admitted it publicly.

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.” (Mark 8:22–25)

After Jesus had spat on his eyes, the blind man could have pretended to see clearly or been satisfied with the initial improvement. But his honesty rescued him and led him to a full recovery: “I see men like trees, walking.”

Brethren, to be humble before the truth will always lead us to a restoring experience. There might be a delay, but the result will always manifest itself gloriously.

In my next post, we will look at two additional causes of spiritual blindness. Meanwhile, let us meditate on the importance of spiritual sight. My posts on the importance of spiritual sight might be inspirational. Here is the link: Spiritual Sight.

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