Do you realise there are things about you that you don’t see? Do you realise that some of those things can be very serious?
We call things that we can’t see about ourselves ‘Blind Spots’. Others can see our blind spots but we seem to ignore or excuse those things that really need to change but which we won’t acknowledge.
For example in a home or workplace we all notice the anger we see in others. We see the expression on their face and hear the tone in their voice. But if someone tries to point out to them that they are angry they are likely to say, “No, I’m under a lot of pressure at the moment. I have a lot on my mind.” or “We don’t need incompetence at the moment.” or “I’m just trying to make a point.” or “No, I just sound that way.”
It seems, then, that our blind spots are mostly from our own refusal to see our faults, and our tendency to think better of ourselves than we should. That could be pride, or foolishness, but it’s bad whichever way we become like that.
The Bible doesn’t use the term ‘blind spots’ but it describes them in a number of places.
One blind spot area is our idea of what is the right course of action for us in a given situation. We all tend to think we know what we should do and how we should do it. It’s our way of doing things. Some people’s way of doing things is with aggression, or determination, while others do things with a tone of giving in to pressure. Some of us pursue self development, while others pursue self assertiveness, and others pursue pleasing people, and yet others pursue keeping a low profile.
Look at what the Bible says about the way you have chosen to live your life.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12
If you insist on sticking with your way of doing things and the way you are going then King Solomon calls you a fool.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.” Proverbs 12:15
Your whole way of life may be a Blind Spot. It may be that everything you are doing and pursuing and all the purposes that govern your choices, affect your relationships and direct the things you live for are heading you to destruction.
That’s a huge Blind Spot!
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were actually blind leaders of the blind. They blindly held dear to the things they believed, yet they were horribly wrong and set out to kill God’s Son. How blind is that?
Their blindness was driven by self interest, pride in their position, fear of being demoted by the Romans, jealousy of the popularity of Jesus and their willingness to let the devil direct their thinking and actions rather than God.
Jesus pointed out another area of blindness in people where they stand in judgement of others while they are disqualified to judge. Jesus referred to people who can see a fault in others while they have a much bigger fault in their own lives. Jesus called these people hypocrites.
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:4,5
I know someone who was offended as a child when her father scolded her at the dinner table for talking with food in her mouth, but his outburst at her was spoken with food in his mouth. She was offended by the hypocrisy of his actions, yet he saw nothing wrong with what he had done and how he had done it.
Many of those with Blind Spots are modern day hypocrites, feeling self righteous about their actions while they display ignorance, self conceit and delusion.
A hypocrite is someone who justifies their standing because of some good they can show off, while allowing themselves to do things that are evil.
“Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore you will receive the greater damnation.” Matthew 23:14
Another expression of hypocrisy is when a principle is applied in one area of our life but not applied to others. Jesus challenged the people of his day for discerning natural things but not discerning spiritual things.
“You hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that you do not discern this time?” Luke 12:56
The core quality of hypocrisy is when our actions give an impression different to the inner truth about us. That’s why we get tripped up and scorned by onlookers, because our actions become inconsistent, and don’t match what we claim about ourselves.
“Jesus replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites. He wrote, These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Mark 7:6
So, what’s the solution to our Blind Spots?
Since we are blind to them, for one reason or another, and since the real issues of our life come from our heart, the best solution is to ask God to search our heart and expose those things that need to change, as King David did.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23,24
“Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12
“Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” Psalm 26:2
Since much of our blindness comes from our pride it is important to keep a humble heart before God and to be ready to accept His conviction as it comes.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” 1Peter 5:6
Also, be ready to repent. Let God’s conviction to your heart create a godly sorrow that causes you to change, turning from those compromised areas in your life.
“I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God intended. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2Corinthians 7:9,10
Friends, it is not a point of credit that you have blundering blind spots in your life. They are an offence to others and a weakness in your witness. They don’t represent Christ, but reflect your weakness, self-focus and pride.
It is time for you to take serious action to become free from all your Blind Spots.
Leave a Reply