“And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” — John 9:39
“For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.” — Isaiah 29:10
One of the most solemn truths in Scripture is that spiritual blindness is not always caused by ignorance — it is often caused by pride. When men refuse the light God gives, the Lord may allow blindness to settle over their hearts.
In John 9, Jesus healed a man who was born blind. That man received not only physical sight but also spiritual sight, recognizing Christ as the Son of God. Yet the Pharisees, who claimed to see, rejected Christ and became spiritually blind. Jesus explained the principle: those who know they are blind can receive sight, but those who claim they already see may be left in darkness.
Isaiah had warned Israel centuries earlier. Because they rejected God’s truth, the Lord allowed a “spirit of deep sleep” to fall upon them. Their eyes were closed to the very truth that could have saved them. The principle is simple: humility opens the eyes, but pride shuts them.
Illustration #1 — Pharaoh’s Blindness
In Exodus, Pharaoh repeatedly saw the power of God through the plagues. Each miracle was light from heaven, yet he hardened his heart. “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart.” (Exodus 8:15). Because Pharaoh refused the light, God eventually judicially hardened him (Exodus 9:12). The man who saw the miracles of God remained spiritually blind. His pride closed his eyes.
Illustration #2 — The Pharisees and the Blind Man
In John 9, the blind man simply believed what Jesus did for him. “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25). But the Pharisees examined the miracle and rejected Christ. Though they had the Scriptures and religious authority, their pride kept them from seeing the truth standing before them. The blind beggar received sight, while the religious leaders remained blind.
God always gives light to the humble heart. But when a man resists truth long enough, the danger is that God may allow blindness to settle in.
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” — Psalm 119:18
The prayer of every believer should be: “Lord, keep my eyes open to Your truth.” A humble heart will always see more than a proud mind.