Blindness, spiritual

Unbelievers are spiritually blind

1 Corinthians 2:14 CSB

14 But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

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 CSB

18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and 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 CSB

6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory 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 CSB

3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, 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 CSB

14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, 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 CSB

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who 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 CSB

17 For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.