Blindness, spiritual

Unbelievers are spiritually blind

1 Corinthians 2:14 NRSVCE

Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

See also Ps 32:9; Ps 92:6–7; Pr 4:19

The blindness both of idols and those who worship them:

Is 44:9; Is 44:18–19

Eze 12:2; Mic 4:12

Jesus Christ speaks in parables because of the spiritual dullness of the people:

Mt 13:13–15; Lk 8:10; Is 6:9–10

Mt 15:16; Lk 24:25; Jn 1:5; Jn 9:40–41 the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees; Ro 3:11; 1 Co 14:23; 1 Co 14:24

Spiritual blindness is a result of sin

La 4:14; Zep 1:17; 2 Co 4:4

See also Mk 9:32; Lk 18:34; Jn 3:19–20; Jn 12:39–40; Eph 4:17–19

The consequences of spiritual blindness

Romans 1:18–23 NRSVCE

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

See also Dt 28:28–29 lack of success, oppression and robbery; Ps 82:5; Is 42:25 the violence of war; Is 59:10; La 4:14; Mt 6:23; Ac 28:26–27; Is 6:9–10; 2 Co 4:4; 1 Jn 1:6

Hatred and darkness:

1 Jn 2:9; 1 Jn 2:11

The removal of spiritual blindness

2 Corinthians 4:6 NRSVCE

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

See also Nu 24:4; 2 Ki 6:17 Elisha asks the Lord to open his servant’s eyes; Ps 119:18; Ps 119:130; Ps 146:8; Is 32:3; Is 35:5; Is 42:16–18; Lk 4:18; Is 61:1; Lk 24:31; Jn 3:3 No-one can see the kingdom of God without being born again; Jn 8:12 Jesus Christ is the light of the world; Jn 9:39; Ac 26:18; 2 Co 3:16; Eph 1:18; Eph 5:8; 1 Pe 2:9

The spiritual blindness of Israel

Isaiah 1:3 NRSVCE

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.

See also Dt 29:4; Dt 32:28; Is 29:10; Je 4:22; Je 5:21; Mic 4:12; Ro 11:7–8; Ro 11:25; 2 Co 3:14–15

The spiritual blindness of leaders

Matthew 15:14 NRSVCE

Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”

See also Is 29:9–12; Is 56:10; Mt 23:16–19; Mt 23:24–26; Lk 6:39; Jn 3:10; Jn 8:27; Jn 9:40–41; Jn 10:6; Ro 2:19–21; 2 Pe 2:12

The spiritual blindness of believers

John 14:9 NRSVCE

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

See also Job 42:3; Da 12:8; Mt 15:16; Mt 16:9; Lk 2:50; Lk 9:45; Lk 24:25; Jn 12:16; 2 Pe 1:9

The spiritual blindness of a church

Revelation 3:17–18 NRSVCE

For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.