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Definition:
Spiritual blindness refers to the inability or unwillingness to perceive and understand spiritual truths. It is a condition where individuals are unable to see or comprehend the reality of God's presence, His works, and His truth as revealed in Scripture. This blindness is often contrasted with spiritual sight, which is granted by God through faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical References:

1.Old Testament Context:
The concept of spiritual blindness is present in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with the Israelites' failure to recognize God's works and commandments. InIsaiah 6:9-10, God instructs the prophet Isaiah to deliver a message to the people: "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

2.New Testament Teachings:
Jesus frequently addressed spiritual blindness during His ministry. InJohn 9:39-41, after healing a man born blind, Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind." The Pharisees, who were present, questioned if they were blind too, to which Jesus replied, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."

3.Apostolic Writings:
The Apostle Paul also speaks of spiritual blindness in his letters. In2 Corinthians 4:3-4, he writes, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Causes of Spiritual Blindness:

1.Sin and Hardness of Heart:
Sin is a primary cause of spiritual blindness. It hardens the heart and dulls spiritual perception.Hebrews 3:13 warns believers to "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

2.Pride and Self-Righteousness:
Pride and self-righteousness can lead to spiritual blindness, as individuals rely on their own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom. The Pharisees in the New Testament are often depicted as spiritually blind due to their self-righteousness and legalism.

3.Influence of the World:
The world and its values can blind individuals to spiritual truths.Romans 12:2 advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Overcoming Spiritual Blindness:

1.Divine Intervention:
Spiritual sight is a gift from God. InActs 26:18, Paul recounts his mission to the Gentiles, "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."

2.Faith in Christ:
Faith in Jesus Christ is essential for overcoming spiritual blindness. InJohn 12:46, Jesus declares, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness."

3.The Work of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in illuminating spiritual truths. In1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul explains, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. They are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Conclusion:
Spiritual blindness is a significant theme in the Bible, highlighting the need for divine intervention and the transformative power of faith in Christ. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are granted spiritual sight, enabling them to perceive and embrace the truths of God's Word.2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
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Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
Topicalbible.org

Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Topicalbible.org

5186. tuphloo -- to blind, to make blind
... from 5187 , "having a cloudy perspective," see dictionary) -- properly, blowing
smoke which causes (spiritual)blindness, ie experiencing "clouded vision." See...

4656. skotoo -- to darken
... or met.) I darken. Cognate: 4656 -- to darken; (figuratively) to produce a of
moral,spiritual darkness (obscurity,blindness). See 4654 ()....

5187. tuphoo -- to be conceited, foolish
... up the air; (figuratively) having a cloudy (muddled) mind-set, ie moralblindness
resulting from poor judgment which brings further loss ofspiritual perception...

Spiritual Blindness.
... XVI.SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS.... So theblindness that happened to Israel, and arrested
theirspiritual growth, may be happening no less to any of us....

Whether God is the Cause ofSpiritual Blindness and Hardness of...
... OF THE EXTERNAL CAUSES OF SIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether God is the cause
ofspiritual blindness and hardness of heart? Objection 1...

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
... 25.Spiritual blindness is another evidence of a backslidden heart. While
the eye is single the whole body will be full ofspiritual...

Miracles of Healing
... And while theblindness is primarily in regard tospiritual and religious truths,
it is not confined to these, but whereverspiritual blindness has fallen, the...

But Nevertheless, in These Condemners of RabbinicBlindness, St. ....
... If it now be asked, whence, or from what, comes all thisspiritual blindness, which
from age to age thus mistakes and defeats all the gracious designs of God...

WhetherBlindness and Hardness of Heart are Directed to the...
... related by Augustine (De Quaest. Evang. iii). Therefore God turns allblindness
to thespiritual welfare of those who are blinded....

WhetherBlindness of Mind and Dulness of Sense Arise from Sins of...
... Thereforeblindness of mind and dulness of sense are caused byspiritual rather
than by carnal vices. On the contrary, Gregory says (Moral....

Sin isSpiritual Slavery
... itself of an unforced act of self-will, and therefore is as truly guilt as any other
result or product of self-will,"asspiritual blindness, orspiritual...

"Two Manners of Sickness that we Have: Impatience, or Sloth...
... I speak of such men and women as for God's love hate sin and dispose themselves
to do God's will: then by ourspiritual blindness and bodily heaviness we are...

Whether Dulness of Sense is a Sin Distinct fromBlindness of Mind?
... dulness of sense in connection with understanding denotes a certain weakness of
the mind as to the consideration ofspiritual goods; whileblindness of mind...

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