Blinded
2 Corinthians 4:4 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.
Introduction
Most of the churches who preached half-truth and lies are full of people every Sunday. A worldly church who sings contemporary music with dancers wearing short skirts in which health, wealth, and prosperity is taught instead of Word of God grows in number steadily even its pastor is already exposed as a false teacher. Why were the false teachers so successful in winning converts? Because the mind of the lost sinner is blinded by Satan, and fallen man finds it easier to believe lies than to believe truth. This morning I will speak to you about some more things that blinds people. By the way, the word blind here in our text means” to obscure”.
1. Pride – as of Nebuchadnezzar ( Daniel 4:30)
a. Nebuchadnezzar in this setting was walking in pride.
b. Pride is one of the sins that God hates. Pro. 6:16
c. Pride is older than the fall and is the first sin committed.
d. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
e. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6 Dan. 4:28-33
f. It was pride that transformed the angel Lucifer into the devil (Isa. 14:12-15), and it was pride that brought about the downfall of King Uzziah (2 Chron. 26:16-21).
In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technology problem like radar malfunction—or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness. Each captain was aware of the other ship’s presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late. Pride is sinful and dangerous.
2. Self-righteousness – as the Pharisee in Luke 18:11
a. The Pharisee here is blinded by self-righteousness and pride.
b. The Pharisee for his self-righteousness easily condemns others
c. He proclaims his own goodness and sees himself pure.
d. His prayer, was not really pointed to God but on commending and exalting himself.
e. His prayer was rejected.
f. The Lord Jesus Christ denounced the self-righteousness and hypocrisy of the Pharisees Mt 23:27-28.
g. Believers are exhorted to renounce self-righteousness. Ph. 3:7-10.
h. Lots of Christians still have the “Holier than Thou” mentality. They think they are more saved, have better church, better pastor, know more of the Bible and doctrine, more spiritual, and more superior, and more blessed by the Lord.
A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top.” “I have a better idea,” replied Twain. “You could stay in Boston and keep them.”
A self-righteous man no matter how good and moral will always have an unchanged unregenerate nature which will keep him out of heaven. Good works can never save (Eph. 6:23). In God’s eyes our righteousness is just as filthy rags. (Isa. 64:6)
3. Riches – as the rich ruler in Lk. 18: 23
a. The rich young ruler (Matt 19:20) may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet of Jesus and went away in worse condition than when he came.
b. He was moral and religious, earnest and sincere.
c. The Bible’s teaching is very clear. For the love of money is the root of all evil. 1Tim. 6:10.
d. The riches of the ruler proved to be the hindrance for his entry to the kingdom of God. (Mt. 19:23)
e. Riches cannot deliver or save anyone from the consequence of their sin. (Zep. 1:17-18).
f. Despite of the Biblical warnings, people still will kill, rob, bribe, cheat, hoard, etc., to get money or to get rich. Blinded by riches some even sold their soul to the devil.
Money Will Buy…a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness; religion but not salvation; a passport to everywhere but heaven.
Riches can also be seen as a gift from God. It is how we misuse the wealth given to us that brings negative connotation to money. God is not against riches but He is against gambling, greed, and other uses of money that destroys us.
4. Covetousness – as of Achan (Jos. 7:21)
a. Achan saw, coveted, and took the spoils from Jericho (Jos. 7:21)
b. Achan thought he could hide his sin but God saw what he did.
c. Undoubtedly the members of his household knew about the loot and were sharing in his sin.
d. All of them had to be judged for their disobedience, so the people took them to the valley and stoned them to death the penalty for their covetousness.
e. Covetousness is to desire that which is not my own or that which is forbidden (Ex 20:17; De 5:21).
f. Covetousness is idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5), and is forbidden (Ex. 20:17)
g. Covetousness shall abound in the last days. (2Tim. 3:2; 2Pet. 2:1-3)
h. People in all walks of life are guilty of covetousness. Politicians, employers, employees, movie stars, singers, even pastors. People just want to enrich themselves at the expense of others.
Judas coveted for a reward and sold our Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. The price he paid however is more than he can bear. Remember that the Lord abhors the covetous (Ps 10:3). Focus on the true purpose of life, which is to know and please and serve God (Luk. 12:15; 1Tim. 6:11).
5. Conclusion:
Let us avoid pride, self-righteousness, misuse of riches or being too materialistic, and covetousness. There is more but time and space won’t allow me to tell them all. For those who have no personal relation with Christ, I urge you to receive Him now as your personal saviour. Don’t be blinded by Satan and other things.
