Physical blindness is a tragedy because it keeps us from seeing what’s around us, but an even greater tragedy is spiritual blindness. This type of blindness keeps us from seeing and understanding the truth in the Bible that’s plainly obvious to others. The world is oblivious to the Word of God, but even believers can be afflicted by spiritual blindness. Jesus, the light of the world, overcomes the darkness for whoever chooses to follow Him.

Paul was rendered physically blind for a time after his first encounter with Jesus, but later when his eyesight was restored, he received something far more important—spiritual vision. This vision allowed him to understand and fulfill the mission with which Jesus charged him, which was to minister the Gospel of Grace, open the Gentiles’ spiritual eyes, and turn them from darkness to light. The meeting with Jesus lit a fire under Paul because Paul now shared the same vision as God.

Spiritual vision allows us to see, perhaps for the first time, that faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross is all we need to experience abundant life here, and in heaven. Two thousand years ago God forgave all our sins, even the ones we haven’t committed yet; no more self-effort is needed. If our eyes are open to the gospel, we choose to receive everything that’s been made available to us. We make this choice because we’ve received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and the eyes of our understanding have been enlightened.

We’re in spiritual warfare, and just like not knowing the proper battle strategies for natural warfare can be disastrous, what we don’t know spiritually can hurt us by keeping us in spiritual darkness. The true meaning of the gospel is only hidden to people who don’t believe it because the god of this world has blinded their minds. A relationship with Jesus lets us see the light and gives us perfect spiritual vision.

Prayer:

God, the world around us is in spiritual darkness because it doesn’t know You. You sent Your Son to us with a message of love and forgiveness, and everyone who accepts Him is freed from the darkness and brought into Your light. Thank You for what You did. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

• John 8:12
• Acts 26:14-18
• Ephesians 1:17, 18
• 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4