Blinded minds!

V23 n3

What exactly is it, that prevents, hinders, hampers, blocks, or otherwise keeps one from hearing that which God clearly states within His Word? After all, the Bible, with great plainness of speech, tells us that it is the simplicity of the gospel of Christ; and thus why we are to come to Him as children. So then, what exactly is it, that is hindering your hearing all that God has for you? What is it that is keeping you from understanding this simple message of salvation?

Many people try to understand this gospel message with a rationalization within their mind; that is, they are basing it in and upon suppositions of someone else’s experiences. They base it off of that which other people have conveyed or spoken to them; or, perhaps even by the example they have observed that other people have set. In other words, they are walking by their sight or senses, (how things appear), rather then by faith in God and His Word. They are basing their walk on that which human instinct and rationale dictates to them; rather then learning to walk, live and operate in His Spirit according to His Word. (Rom 8:8-9, Gal 3:1-5).

It is that which a person hears, (one has to hear or give audience to, that which they allow into their inner man), as to what their thoughts or opinions are, and formed within themselves. That which one hears, and receives in, is what will set and establish the standards or parameters for what renews or shapes the thought process of their mind. As one thinks and what one thinks, will then continue to form within a person their moral and ethical values, and thus set the course or path that they will proceed down or follow. (Ps 119:105, Mt 6:23-24, Pro 23:7).

Faith, (the ability to believe, trust or rely on a particular thing) is by hearing and obeying the message delivered by the Word of God, Christ! Without faith in His Word, how can one expect to please Him? Without faith in His Word, how can one expect to receive anything from Him? So then, one has to ask one self, what exactly is it that your mind is being renewed in?

2 Corinthians 3:14-15, 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. KJV

Definition for blinded: 4456 poroo- 1) to cover with a thick skin, to harden by covering with a callous 2) metaphorically: a) to make the heart dull b) to grow hard, callous, become dull, lose the power of understanding (Thayer’s)

Their minds became hardened to the truth. By allowing the wrong things in, it causes one to listen to one, and harden the attitudes or perception towards the other; one can not serve God and mammon.

If a person is following the letter of the law, what is, or about to happen to their mind? If one has turned aside from grace, and turned to the law, where will that leave them at? Isn’t it the truth (His Word is truth) that sets one free, and keeps them free, as they continue, or abide in it? (Gal 5:4, 2Cor 3:6, Rom 3:20, Rom 7:6)
By hearing and giving audience to anything other then the message delivered by Christ, one is allowing their mind to become blinded or hardened against the truth. The mind becomes covered or veiled with wrongs words, which they have allowed to enter the temple. They are giving audience more to man and his traditions and doctrines, then they do to God and His Word. This is what causes or results in a persons mind to become clouded, which then brings about wrong judgments or discernment in those very things that pertain to their spiritual health and well being. (3John 1:2)

The letter of the law kills! It is His Spirit that gives life! The words that Jesus Christ speaks to us, (that is if one is listening to and operating in His Spirit), are indeed spirit, and they are life. However, if one has a clouded or blinded mind, they will ignore His words, and will allow the wrong things to hinder, to block or cover the truth from being revealed to them.

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: KJV

This message is hid from them that are lost or perishing. Those that have chosen to reject, ignore, refuse or deny this message that God has sent to all of the world. God has sent His Word to all of the world, yet most continue to deny or reject His counsel.

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. KJV

They reject this good news, because they have allowed their minds to be blinded, clouded or veiled by the god and his things of this world. (Blinded as used in this verse: to blind with pride or conceit; to render foolish or stupid; to blunt mental discernment; to darken the mind.) Who’s mind is it that becomes blinded? Those who will not seek to understand the mystery of the glorious gospel of Christ. (One must remember, that the Word clearly and plainly tells us, that they that are not on the meat of the Word, <Heb 5:11-14> have a blinded or dull ability to hear His Word, and thus they are not able to discern between good and evil).

Also, one must remember the characteristics that Paul used to describe the people of Corinth, <1Cor 3:1-5> and how carnal or fleshly these people were behaving. They were blinded with envy, clouded by divisions, and hindered with strife, so that they were very unstable in their walk. They had quit listening to the message that Paul had been asked to deliver to them, and had began to listen to and follow other teachers. As they began to listen to these other teachers, who were not speaking the truth in love, their minds began to become renewed with wrong things, which caused them to become blinded to the ways of God. How much leaven does it take to affect, effect or infect the whole of the lump?

This can and will happen to any person, when they begin to listen to man, and ignore the voice of God. They begin to follow traditions and doctrines of men, and thus quit studying for His approval. This is why one must train, develop, and establish in one self, the habit or trait of spending time with Father and His Word each and every day. That way, one is able to be led, guided and taught by His Spirit as we journey through His Word and this world.

What exactly is your mind being renewed with this day?

That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka