Cataracts develop slowly over time, causing the lens in the eye to become progressively cloudy. Without surgical intervention, they inevitably lead to blindness.
Spiritual cataracts also develop slowly over time. And like their physical counterparts, without
intervention, spiritual cataracts inevitably lead to an inability to see.
Jesus had a few things to say about spiritual cataracts. For example, “The eye is the lamp of the
body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad,
your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is
darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew
6:22-23)
He also said: “Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than
the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who
does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his
deeds will be exposed.”(John 3:19-20)
One thing about Jesus: He never softened
for anyone His warning of eternal judgment for those choosing darkness. Religious
officials, politicians, or laity – He spoke Truth to them all.
He still does.
People can remain in the dark to avoid the light of Truth and
the requisite lifestyle changes that conform to Truth. They can nurture their pride, or their spirit of revenge, or an unwillingness to forgive others. They can
continue to nurse impure or immoral thoughts -- and a dozen other sins everyone reading
this knows by experience to one degree or another.
The more often we turn to darkness, and the longer we remain
in darkness, the darker our vision becomes. It's really as simple as that.
As the prophet Hosea warned:“Their
deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of
harlotry is within them, and they do not know the Lord.” (Hosea 5:4)
Many years ago songwriter Robert Cull wrote this prayerful song, "Open our
Eyes Lord."
“Open our eyes, Lord, We want to
see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him. Open our ears,
Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.”
How do we avoid – or heal – spiritual cataracts? We
must come to Him – not once, not a hundred times – but every day when we sense
our spiritual sight dimming. We must come purposely and intentionally to ask Him
to remove the spiritual cataracts forming over our eyes because of the sins we have
not brought to Him for cleansing and healing. We must ask Him to open our spiritual
eyes and ears and help us to love Him.
It's really as simple as that.
As we grow deeper in love with Him, the less we enjoy the
darkness.
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