Spiritual Blindness: What the Bible Says About Seeing the Truth
Have you ever wondered how responses to the Gospel of Christ can be so different?
Two people, hearing the same message, can have completely different outcomes.
One person may hear and see the beauty of Christ while the other thinks it is foolish.
Personally, I have been in both situations. Before turning to the Lord, the gospel sounded foolish to me. The whole “born again” concept seemed to be a self-help effort. Boy, was I mistaken.
There is a famous hymn from John Newton that goes like this:
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
How can we explain this?
In this post, I am going to share my notes with you as I dig into this concept.
This is by no means a comprehensive study on this topic, but my prayer is that it would encourage you to seek the Scriptures, turn to the Lord, and trust in Him even in the mystery.
Let’s learn together.
What the Bible Says About Spiritual Blindness
The Bible speaks about this reality—the not seeing—as spiritual blindness. In the pages of Scripture, we read about those who have eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear (Romans 11:8).
However, God can open our eyes, bring light to the darkness, and reveal the Truth of the gospel. Friends, I can’t fully explain it. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8–9). But, it is important for us as Christians to know what the bible says about this so we can better share the gospel and understand the various responses to it.
Romans 11
Romans 11:8–10 is a key text when it comes to the concept of spiritual blindness:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”
So what does this mean?
And what can we learn from it?
The Context of Romans 11
In order to understand these verses, let’s break down the context.
Who is writing the book: Paul, an apostle and servant of Christ (Romans 1:1)
Who was it written to: Christians in Rome (Romans 1:7)
When was it written: Most agree it was written around 56-58 AD
In this particular part of the letter, Paul is outlining God’s faithfulness to His promises as seen in His relationship with Israel.
Paul references the prophet Elijah, who believed he was the only faithful person left. However, God reminded him that He had seven thousand others who had “not bowed the knee to Baal” (verse 4). In other words, they had not served other gods.
Paul uses this and applied it to the “present time”:
“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.”
— Romans 11:5
Grace is a huge thing here. We can’t miss this. It is God’s grace—His “unmerited favor and loving-kindness” (1)
But, there are all the others who have “eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear” (Romans 11:8).
What does this mean?
What Is Spiritual Blindness?
It seems that spiritual blindness occurs when one is unable or unwilling to receive God’s Truth as the Truth.
They might hear it and know it intellectually, but they do not recognize their need for a Savior and that Christ alone can save them.
They do not recognize the glory and truth of God.
Other Scriptures on Spiritual Blindness
In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul tells the Christians in Corinth that:
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him.”
This brings clarity to why the gospel has such different responses.
Paul writes:
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:18
The message is the same, but the heart is different.
Luke 8:4-15 outlines a parable Jesus shares about a man scattering seed and what happens to that seed depending on the soil type. Some of the seeds are eaten by birds, others grow but are hindered by thorns (i.e, “the cares and riches and pleasures of life”), while others still grow and produce plenty of fruit.
The different types of soil reflect the different hearts and responses to the Word.
Again, this concept has mysteries that belong to God alone, but knowing what the Scripture says about this topic can equip us.
When We Turn Away From God, We Walk in Darkness
Throughout Scripture, we see a connection between rejecting God and walking in darkness.
We see this clearly in Romans 1. Here, Paul describes People who knew about God but did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him.
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (verse 21).
As this passage continues, we see examples of God justly allowing people to suffer the consequences of their rebellion against Him.
This is hard, but it reveals the goodness and justness of God.
A good and loving God does not simply overlook our rebellion against Him. He is both loving and just.
As we continually reject God’s truth and walk in sin, our hearts can become hardened toward Him.
Even in Proverbs 1, we hear a similar warning. I would encourage you to read this, friend.
Here, we see the serious danger in continually saying no to God.
But, the is limitless blessing in our yes to Him.
The Pharisees and the Rejection of Christ
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, we see a similar pattern in the Pharisees.
Although Jesus conducted miracles, taught with authority, fulfilled Scripture, and openly revealed who He was, many religious leaders rejected Him.
This rejection was not due to a lack of evidence.
Perhaps it was that they refused to turn, see, and be saved.
We must be careful to not fall into thinking that everyone who seems to be spiritually blind now will be forever. The New Testament is filled with people who once rejected Christ only to be later transformed by His grace.
The apostle Paul himself is an example,
“13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1: 13-15)
God Desires People to Be Saved
Friends, we cannot miss this.
Scripture is clear, God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
How great is His love!
But, this love cannot be one-sided and produce fruitful outcomes. This is true of any earthly relationship. It takes two to have a healthy relationship.
As we repent, believe, turn from sin, and come to Christ, we can show our love for Him through our obedience and surrender.
The fruit on the other side is indescribable, reaping benefits into eternity.
Work doesn’t save us.
Being a “good person” does not save us.
Christ alone saves us.
But, we have a responsibility to respond to that saving grace.
While we can’t fully understand this great mystery, we can trust God as we walk with Him.
What Happens When the Light of Christ Shines?
There is a beautiful contrast to spiritual blindness—spiritual sight.
Paul talks about this in 2 Corinthians 4:6:
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Praise God.
Where Christ once appeared foolish and unnecessary, the believer begins to see Him as glorious and essential
But, this doesn’t mean Christians immediately understand everything.
We have a whole lifetime to be transformed,
“And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Who is Paul referring to here? One who….
“…turns to the Lord, [and has] the veil is removed (2 Corinthians 3:16).
Why Do We Preach the Gospel?
If God alone gives light, why do we preach?
It is because God uses the gospel to bring His truth to people. We may share, but God is responsible for the outcome.
Paul references this in his own ministry,
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Paul also writes in Ephesians 5:14:
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
And, Jesus tells Paul that he is to
“to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:16)
What an encouragement this is!
Our responsibility is faithfulness in sharing His Word, but the outcome is God’s.
Walking in the Light
In Scripture, we see a clear contrast between light and darkness.
John 3:19 says:
“The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
We are called away from darkness and toward God.
Come into the light. Confess your sin. Believe the gospel. Follow Christ.
This is not to take away our “fun” or “freedom.” It is to allow us to walk in true life and liberty.
What To Do
So, what should we do now?
Come into the light.
Confess your sin.
Believe the gospel.
Follow Christ.
Walk in His truth and remain faithful all of your days, relying not on your own power or perfection but on the finished work of Christ.
Trust that you are then justified and that God will continue to sanctify.
Surrounding ourselves with people who are pursuing Christ is vital.
Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 6:14 not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. We are so easily influenced. We need to run this race alongside people with the same end-goal in mind.
The Mysteries of God
There are mysteries we will not completely understand this side of eternity, and that is okay. We aren’t supposed to.
But, we can study Scripture, seek to understand, ask questions, and trust in God.
Friends, you will be amazed as you walk with Him.
He was always there, but now we can see.
We can humbly rest in knowing that we don’t have to have every answer, but we do need to have faith.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1)
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
We are sinners. We need Jesus. He is ready for us to turn to the light and walk in life abundant throughout all eternity. Our life here is just the beginning.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11)
