Those who practice sin are blind to what they are doing. Further, they adopt an attitude that there is nothing wrong with sin and somehow become completely blind to the effects of their attitude and actions. Even worse, they encourage others to participate in what they are doing! This camaraderie only seeks to enforce their stance about sin and harden their hearts to the point that they become unreachable!
Why is this possible? How can a normal human being become so adamant against the will of the creator of all the universe and willfully sin?
I think the following passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians provides the answer.
2 Corinthians 4 (World English Bible)
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; 4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. (emphasis added) 5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake; 6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will 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.
The “god of this world” is Satan (The Devil, The Dragon, The Serpent, The wicked one, The Evil one, Beelzebub, The Anti-Christ, The Tempter, The Father of lies, Apollyon, Belial) or whatever other descriptive name you wish to chose. Personally, I like the term adversary, because that is what he is to me. My adversary will do anything and everything to separate me from God and blind me from God’s truth.
Combating him is difficult and it is a fight that seemingly never ends, for the adversary never gives up, always looks foryour weakest moment and makes sin seem so wonderful.
The Good News is that we have the Word of God to fight him with and Jesus to intercede for our shortcomings and that is nothing less than very GOOD NEWS!!!
I especially like verse six (above) because somehow it mimics the first creation, in that God creates a new light within us via the revelation of who and what Jesus is all about.
If you don’t know what I am talking about, then I urge you open one of the Gospel accounts (try the book of Mark because it is more succinct and straightforward than the other accounts) and as you read, I think you might just understand the greatness of the life that Jesus offers and the folly of doing anything less with what time we have been given on this earth.
Do yourself a favor, take another look at the graphic and just think about it and ask yourself: Am I blind or do I really see the Truth!
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