Blindness, spiritual

Unbelievers are spiritually blind

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV 1900

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know 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 KJV 1900

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

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 KJV 1900

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined 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 KJV 1900

The ox knoweth his owner, And the ass his master’s crib: But Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.

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 KJV 1900

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

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 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew 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 KJV 1900

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.