I’ve worn glasses for most of my life. It was no surprise that the eye doctor told me recently that I would need a new prescription after three years wearing the same pair. The funny and notable lesson learned is that I took off the old glasses and put on the new lenses. Only after I put on the new glasses did I realize that I couldn’t see! I had no idea how small and fuzzy the world had become until I saw the world through new lenses.
The brain is remarkable at adjusting our perception so that we can continue to function. Slowly, over time, the brain accepts a dim or fuzzy image and translates it so that the mind can understand the picture. If it’s been a while since we’ve had a clear and focused image, the fuzzy image becomes our normal. When the brain sees the new, non-fuzzy image, it takes a day or two for the new perception to become normal to the brain. For the first day or two, a person with new lenses may experience eye strain, dizziness, or headaches.
The spiritual parallel may be obvious. But it’s worth a few minutes to explore the idea that our spiritual vision is not 20/20 and needs continuous correction. As Isaiah the prophet wrote: “Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes” (Is 59:10).
Blindness as Metaphor in the Bible
Physical blindness in ancient times was a common problem with many references to blindness in both the Old and New Testaments. In the gospels, numerous people who were blind were healed by the Lord Jesus. It makes sense that the bible writers would use blindness as a metaphor for the spiritual life of those who do not believe, obey, or honor God.
The psalmist proclaimed that the “Lord sets the captive free and gives sight to the blind” (Ps 148:8). In John 9, Jesus heals a blind man named Bartimaeus. In that story, after he is healed, Jesus asked him if he believed in the Son of God. He replied, yes, I believe. Bartimaeus goes from physical and spiritual blindness to physical and spiritual sight. At the same time, the Pharisees refused to believe in Jesus and remained with physical sight but Jesus telling them that they guide the people but are themselves blind (Mat 15:14).
Scripture points to several sources of spiritual blindness. Paul wrote that the gospel message is veiled to those who are perishing because the “god of this age” has blinded their minds (2 Cor 4:4-5). John’s gospel letter reveals that people’s stubborn refusal to believe in Jesus even after seeing many miracles caused them to have blinded eyes and hardened hearts (John 12:40). Peter (1 Pe 1:9) wrote that believers who grow in faith in increasing measure are blessed but those who do not are “nearsighted and blind”. John added that those who allow sin, such as hatred for a fellow believer, to grow in their heart become blind (1 John 2:11).
Why We Walk by Faith and not by Sight
Our spiritual vision is not 20/20. As humans in the physical world, we do not see spiritual things clearly. We have emotional and mental factors, negative thinking patterns, and the culture that we live in constantly influencing how we understand God and our life in Christ. Our vision requires constant correction.
Paul encouraged believers to be “transformed by the renewing of their minds” (Ro 12:2). This is a continual, daily process of allowing the Holy Spirit to take off our old lenses and to teach us to see through the new lenses of faith. Only through the eyes of faith will we see clearly.
Jesus told his disciples that people’s hearts become calloused to God because they do not have eyes that see and do not have ears that hear. “But blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear” (Matthew 13:16).
Grant us and the people around us, Lord God, the gift of eyes that see and ears that hear!
Jesus reading from Isaiah in the synagogue:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-22
Copyright @ TA Boland
Image: TA Boland
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