Eyes Opened, But Can’t See
By Cary Rodgers, Jr, pastor
Eyesight is one of the most amazing senses of the human body that God created. Your eyes are visual recording extensions of your brain that enables you to see the beautiful creation of God. Did you know that light is the most important aspect of eyesight that is not physically a part of the anatomy of the eye? If there is no light, it would be impossible to see. Light is an illuminating energy created by God that stimulates vision. In order for you to see light must past through the sclera, cornea, iris, and lens until it hits over hundred million photoreceptors in the retina. Light is absorbed by the photoreceptors and then transformed into electrochemical signals that are passed on to the brain for interpretation. Not only does light need to enter the eyes in order to see but it must also reflect off the objects that is in your vision of sight. So we can conclude that the main purpose for light is sight. If there is no light, there is no sight.
Darkness is the total absence of light. Even if your eyes are physically healthy with all the facilities to see, it will be impossible for you to see in total darkness. You are like a blind person who is unable to see. The eyes of those who are totally blind are unable to transform the light into electrochemical signals due to a malfunction in the eye. The blind live in darkness even though light is present.
Many take sight for granted until the light goes out! Imagine yourself exploring a deep dark cave with dangerous cliffs. You have no problem navigating through the cave while your flash light is working. Then as you are walking through the cave the flash light suddenly goes out! It is so dark that even with your eyes wide open you cannot see a thing! You close your eyes and then open them, there is no difference, its dark either way! At this point, what is the most important thing in your life? Light! Your vision depends on it.
Now let’s relate the physical understanding of light and sight to the spiritual. God’s word reveals that we live spiritually in a world of deep darkness because of sin. Out of love, Jesus came into this sinful world as light to dispel the darkness. He says in John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” Only those who actively believe in Jesus by abiding in Him daily have the spiritual light and eyesight to see truth from error in this dark world of sin. The Light of Jesus is a gift that is available to all nations, kindred, tongues, and people. Even though Light is available to all people there are those who reject the Light and continue to walk in darkness. If they decide to walk in darkness even though Light is present and available they are willfully blind. All who have no spiritual vision will inevitable perish from the multiplicity of fatal dangers of walking in darkness.
Why do the majority of people chose darkness when Light is present? Jesus says in John 3:19-21, 19“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
Jesus reveals that His Light is the only hope for sight in the deep dark cave of this world. Those who recognize their need of the Light are given a lamp to illuminate the narrow path to the everlasting kingdom of God. Psalms 119:105 says “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The lamp is the Word of God. Jesus is the Word that became flesh as a testimony and our example to overcome sin. His Life in our life gives light to the Lamp. The Holy spirit is the oil that gives power to the Lamp to keep the Light alive in your life in a world of darkness.
Not only is Jesus the Light, but He is also the Truth. Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” - John 14:6. So without the acceptance of Light by faith it is impossible to see the Truth. In other words Truth is ONLY revealed in the Light, not in darkness. “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.” - 2 Corinthians 4:6
Satan is darkness because there is NO light in him. Satan is the father of lies and those who walk in darkness believe his lies because they cannot see the Truth. They are entrapped in the darkness and bondage of sin. Darkness confuses the mind and all sense of direction is lost. It is impossible for those who walk in Satan’s darkness to see where they are going. They are blind. Their spiritually eyesight has malfunctioned and the Light is not able to transform their sinful heart into the character of Jesus Christ. We must walk in the Light while we have the Light. This must never be taken for granted. Jesus says, in John 12:35, “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” All who walk in darkness are on the broad road that leads to destruction.
Those who believe in the Light and walk according to TRUTH must keep the lamp burning bright on a daily basis through prayer, Bible study, and sharing God’s truth with others. When your life is illuminated with the light of Jesus in your life, you become “a light to the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”- Matthew 5:14. Remember darkness and light cannot be in the same room. Either you are in darkness or the light. Jesus says in Luke 11:34-36, 34 “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
36If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” In order to remain in the Light, all forms of our sinful habits must be put away. Romans 13:12 says, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
The Prince of Darkness hates the Light and will do all he can to turn off the Light in the lives of God’s people. God’s remnant in these last days must be aware of what will cause their Light to go out in this sinful world of darkness that will leave them blind and lost. One of the main causes that will cut off the Light is being seduced to the attractions and lifestyle of the world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “ In whom the god of this world hath 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 unto them.” If Satan can cause those who profess to have the Light to be seduced to doubt God’s Word, they will be left in deep darkness and completely blind. They have exchanged the God of Truth with the god of this world!
ALL worldly customs, attractions, entertainment, and beliefs that promote the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life WILL leave you blind spiritually. If any of the music you listen to or things you watch promote any of these things we MUST cut them off and make NO provision for the flesh. This includes all of Hollywood’s movies. It does not matter if they are so called “Christian” movies. Satan is crafty and has been using these “Christian” movies to turn off the Lights of God’s people. He is mixing truth and a “good” story with lies. You know if Lie is in it, the true Christ of the Bible is not in it. It is fully dark and will leave you utterly blind. For example, many Adventists were seduced in watching “Hacksaw Ridge” that was directed by Mel Gibson. This film was based on the heroic war events and life of the army veteran and Seventh-day Adventist Desmond Doss. The testimony of Doss’ life is inspiring but Hollywood was allowed to corrupt his testimony with a movie that promoted worldliness. This movie was not a Light as the General Conference Adventist church and other ministries tried to promote. It was a promotion of Darkness! Matter of fact the main actor, Andrew Garfield, who played the role of the now deceased Desmond Doss, said he went to Doss’ home and was able to supposedly connect with his “dead” spirit! Can’t you see, this film was inspired by the spirit of devils and is full of darkness! So why did the General Conference Adventist church and popular ministries such as Amazing Facts promote a Hollywood production that seduced thousands into utter darkness? No need to learn God’s truth through a Hollywood movie, go directly to the source of Light, God’s Word.
The second major cause of spiritual blindness may surprise the majority of those who profess to have the Light of Christ. 2 Peter 1:4 teaches that those who have escaped the corruption of this world can be partakers in the divine nature of Jesus Christ. But escaping the corruption of the world is not enough in order to reflect the divine nature of Jesus Christ. Peter continues in verse 5 through 8, 5“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Giving all diligence” is teaching us that all these characteristics of God’s Light must be habitual and active in our life in order to reflect the divine image of Christ. What is your spiritual condition if you lack any of these things? What does Peter say in verse 9? “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” Wow, this is extremely serious. It does not matter your profession or which church membership roll your name is on, if faith, virtue, knowledge of truth, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and God’s love has not been diligently added to your Christian experience the Bible says that you will be left blind in utter darkness! Lord help us ALL to be diligent in all these things so we can keep the Light of TRUTH shining bright in this dark and sinful world.
The third cause of spiritual blindness is following those who are blind. The Bible is very clear that our salvation is through Jesus Christ, He is the VINE and we are the branches. The VINE is not pastors, preachers, or church conferences. If the profession does not match the fruit that fully reflects Truth, it is a branch that is not connected to the VINE and is cast into darkness. (read John 15:1 – 8). We need to learn from Israel’s apostate example and not exhibit the same arrogance in believing that just because we claim truth and have an inheritance of Light that we are automatically walking in the Light. Israel’s main problem spiritually is that they put their faith in the hands of the leadership instead of God. This is extremely dangerous! Why? If the leadership still claims the truth, but by their actions are leading people away from the Light, they will lead millions into darkness and be lost.
Why did many of Israel’s leadership become blind? Isaiah 56:10-11 says, 10 “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” The leadership of God’s church is suppose to lead others to the Light and not themselves. Church leaders are supposed to be tools in the Master’s hand that cannot take credit for the work.
At the time of Jesus earthly ministry the great majority of the Jews thought that their salvation dependent on following the church leadership. This belief was quite evident in the parents whose son was miraculously healed from his blindness by Jesus. They should have been extremely excited about what happened to their son who could not see since birth, but now could see! But instead of being excited and glorifying God they were cautious and afraid. They knew if they testified that it was Jesus that healed their son that they would be disfellowshiped by the Jewish leaders! 20“His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.” - John 9:20-22.
What did Jesus tell the people when it was clear that the leadership of Israel was leading people in darkness? “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” - Matthew 15:14.
What is the solution to spiritual blindness? What does Jesus say to the last day church of Laodicea who is not only lukewarm but wretch, miserable, poor, blind and naked in Revelation 3: 18 and 19? 18 “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. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”