2 Kings 6:17
‘Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’
The reality can be that beyond what we can see. The enemy king tried to attack Israel, but Elisha knew his plans, communicated them to Judah’s king and thwarted the attack. The enemy king inquired where the leak came from, so one of his soldiers told him of Elisha. The enemy king sought to capture him. He presently surrounds his present location. Elisha’s servant panics. Then comes today’s passage.
The spiritual reality is more powerful and significant than the visual reality. This is usually lost by unbelievers. Some sense something is going on, but because it’s beyond their senses they move on. God is in that realm. So are the demons and angels.
God wants to know and be known. There is so much joy and peace there. God sends out His invitation constantly. One of the last verses of the bible says it again, ‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.’’
Why don’t people respond to God’s invitation? Just as Eve was lied to, most people believe the devil’s lies and the world’s lies about Him. They think God wants to take away fun things. Not far from that is a desire for complete self-will. Following God does require we obey Him, but the amount of joy in God’s way far exceeds the world’s ways.
The world also builds up the educational system in a way that makes believers look foolish. They forget that most of the ivy league schools were once training centers for those serving God. They’ve tainted the pilgrims, in science they belittle creation, they’ve tarred and feathered catholic priests and tv preachers. They don’t know how to handle Chuck Smith, Chuck Swindoll and Billy Graham. Real people of God who served God faithfully, have led many to Christ and who have taught many to do the same.
Coming back to today’s topic of spiritual blindness. Because unbelievers have rejected Christ, they are blind to God and His ways. The devil is quite content to let them prosper and possibly recruit more to his side. He does destroy lives. That’s his preference. But he can’t kill all his captives, as he wouldn’t have an army.
Do all in Christ have good spiritual vision? No. It’s developed by Christian disciplines. Those are reading the bible and hearing sermons, praying, witnessing, obeying God, going to church and so on. Hebrews 5:14 shares an interesting verse, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.” The Christian disciplines are the solid food. The senses referred to involve spiritual vision.
As we grow in Christ we respond to the Spirit’s guidance, nudges, and impressions. We learn to have faith and not resort to fear. We go a different way. We get our direction from a different leader. Much of what the world feeds us goes against God’s ways. We weed out the world’s ways. This keeps our spiritual vision sharper.
Lord, thank You for giving us Your sight and senses. Help us to continue in Your ways. Keep us from evil.