Dangers of spiritual blindness and deafness.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

There are physical blindness and physical deafness. I am going to speak of spiritual blindness and spiritual deafness. If we become spiritually blind then we cannot see the path clearly that Jesus laid out for us. This could result in our deaths and even our destruction. Another way spiritual blindness and deafness can harm us is when when are dealing with others. If we do not identify it in others or maybe someone we are teaching we will not see the obvious and it could entrap or endangers us. Jesus pointed out when people were spiritually blind and deaf. The bible indicated there would be many who know Gods word and know what is required but they would be spiritually blind and when the end came they would not be prepared. We need to be able to learn to identify when we may show signs of being spiritually blind.

Some examples of the spiritual blindness and deafness was the pharisees. Jesus pointed out areas they were blind or deaf many times. If we see it in others we need to pay attention to how they respond. In times past those who were spiritually blind would persecute and even kill those who where trying to show them the light. If you are teaching someone if they become confused about something be patient if they do not react in a violent, or angry way they may have beliefs that are deep set and if they keep clinging to those beliefs it can cause them to be blinded. If you push the issue it can cause them to become confused. Focus on teaching them other things and eventually they may come around. Beating them with the scriptures will only push them to the point they may lose faith or get frustrated and stop trying to learn. Surely we would not want to do that to someone. I have a tendency to flood people with scriptures. Some are just learning the bible and this can overwhelm them. A persons ears and eyes do not open over night, as I stated earlier some of them have things they have been taught that are not correct and are deep set in, those things take time to let go of. So what are some things that can cause a person to be spiritually blind or spiritual deaf?

If you ever noticed the contrast in the bible between those who were spiritually blind and deaf and those who were not it is very clear. Those who are spiritually blind or deaf when confronted with information that contradicted what they believed or if it made them aware of a short coming they would react with a variety of negative emotions. Those who were not spiritually blind or death were very receptive to the new information and would research it much more deeply and did not react negatively. If the information seemed incorrect , or they still did not understand they still did not attack the person they would ask questions. If you point out someones error and they do not react positively then be very cautious because they can also draw you away. Often times pride can cause this like it did with the pharisees and they tried try and prove they were right, they would act kind while doing very deceptive things to try and prove they were right. For example they had hired some people to lie about Jesus. Often times the pharisees would ask leading question that were meant to trip Jesus up. He usually had an answer but when the intentions of the question was to obvious he didn’t dignify it with a response. As things are winding down it can become more and more dangerous, even those who are spiritually or blood related who show spiritual blindness can effect us negatively. What things can we watch for that may indicate that someone is spiritually blind. If we react negatively in any way to a scripture we read then we should ask ourselves why? Is it contradicting a deep set belief we have, is it making us aware of a short coming we have? Is it making us aware we may have to make some dramatic changes in our lives we may not be comfortable making? If we refuse to accept thee things it could make us spiritually blind or deaf.

If they are spiritually blind it does not mean they do not love God or Jesus. It means they are not worshiping with their whole soul and their whole heart. How they react to new information when they are spiritually blind can tell us a lot. For example when I learned something new that conflicted what I had been taught I would become confused and even frustrated but after learning it I would look into things much more deeply. Sometimes I still did not agree and would ask more questions but I did not get angry. Eventually over time God opened my eyes and things become clearer for me. The ones we have to be careful of are those who read God’s word and do not progress to more solid spiritual food but they continue to take in milk. We also have to be cautious if they react violently. Sometimes those who do not want to have a deeper understanding may get confused but instead of looking at things deeper they may false reason with themselves and even try to take scriptures out of context to try and prove they are correct. If this happens do not debate them. Show them the truth and leave it at that. If they continue to try to validate a belief not supported by the bible then it is best to avoid talking about that specific area with them. Pay attention to how they react the next time you speak with them. If they try to refute all you say or get combative then I would not continue speaking about the bible with them. It could incite them to anger and even violence. Sometimes as I stated earlier the person may realize they have major changes in their life to make. This happened to me and I got confused , frustrated and overwhelmed. I had realized the changes I needed to make would effect other people and what they thought of me. I had realized they may even stop talking to me. I was fortunate the ones teaching me realized this and always had a scripture to build me up and keep my desire to learn God’s word.

So what can cause a person to become spiritually blind or deaf? We have the many examples in Jesus ministry. Sometimes it was pride , such was the case with the pharisees. Sometimes there were those who put more trust in material things and wealth of the world so devoted more time to those things. Sometimes people would leave themselves get so weighted down with the anxieties of life they would stop taking in God’s word and meditating on it, they would let those anxieties drown out the light and block their ears. When going through trials and tribulations it is very easy to get caught up in negative emotions. We were not mentally built to handle the things we have to deal with because they were not meant to happen. So when those things occur we need to turn to God in prayer, trust Jesus and take in his word even if we may not feel like it. All these things will be gone soon. When they are you need to ask yourself if you do not have a relationship with God what is left? Since we are in the last days it sometimes can be difficult to apply ourselves to spiritual things because of life events that are happening. If we find this occurring we should at least try to a lot a little time for bible study so that the anxieties of life do not drown out spiritual things and we eventually become blind and deaf.

There are other reasons the pharisees did not want to hear the truth. It would have required them to serve others and for them to be more humble. They believed they were above the others and they should be served this blinded them . Some did not want to make the changes they needed to make in order to worship in truth. Jesus fulfilled the old covenant. He was teaching about the new covenant his ransom a sacrifice would seal. This meant they would have to complete change how they worshiped. Many did not want to accept these changes. Some even knew these changes were foretold but would have had to lose their position of power and prominence. They did not want to give those up. For example they had many traditional celebration and Jesus had warned them about following traditions of man as if they were written biblical law and they were actually in opposition to God. We have many who practice traditional celebrations now and do not want to give them up. Some just do not want to admit they have been lied to all their lives. It is very difficult to accept and believe people you thought cared for you lied or deceived you. Sometimes they may not even know they are deceiving someone but have been taught those things all their life so believe they are doing God’s work. We have to remember also some want their itchy ears scratched so they will find teachers who will teach them what they want to hear and not what they need to hear. Those very ones were involved in killing Jesus so if someone does not want to accept the bible at it’s word it is best to shake the dust from your feet and move on because if not you may anger them and others and invite attacks on yourself. This does not mean God will never open their hearts. I have seen many who got very angry at me for years and then started asking me questions in sincerity. So never respond negatively always try to leave in peace.

Some other things mentioned in the bible that could blind or make a person deaf is glorifying God. We are told to glorify God by teaching others and continuing to take in his word and apply it in our lives. Our actions and how we live our lives should glorify God. Those all require dramatic changes and devotion. There are some who are corrupt and do not want to change because they reap many benefits from it. Some may be sinning and do not want to face their sin. The bible says that hurts their conscience. This angered many during Jesus ministry. For example some may be involved in sexual immorality, wild parties, have many bad associations, or even get intoxicated. They may not want to believe they are a sinning. There are more subtle sins that can blind someone also such as relying on oneself or putting too much trust in man.

Sometimes there are false teaching many do not want to give up that can blind them and make them deaf. For example many teach the false hell fire teaching when the bible clearly shows those who are unrepentant will be destroyed. Some try to use the bible to manipulate others and to take advantage of them. This has caused God’s name to be spoken of abusively. If this happens we should not take it personal. There is a lot of hypocrisy now days. Many do not practice what they teach. Some may be holding on to hatred in some form or another. The bible tells us to love everyone even our enemies. But hatred can also blind someone. Some believe they can be saved just by learning God’s word and may have the scriptures memorized like the pharisees did but they do not truly grasp the full meaning. Knowing there have been people taught by hypocritical teachers they may not realize they have been taught incorrect teachings. For example I new a man who would go out and get drunk. I showed him how he should repent and read his bible. He told me that his minister said once you accept Jesus and donate to the church your sins are forgiven so it doesn’t matter if you repent or not after that. I tried to explain to him why that was not true but he just got angry so I knew to drop it and shake the dust off my feet.

Man are involved in forms of idolatry which can also blind them. We are told not to use images of anything in heaven above or earth below in our worship. Many do not want to leave go of these things and it can blind them. Israel often times would get involved in that and become blinded to the truths in God’s word. Other forms of idolatry is when we covet things too much like material possessions or wealth. There are many celebration full of idolatry now days that people do not wan to give up. The bible warns you can not drink of the Cup of Jehovah and the cup of the Devil at the same time.

Even now I see people who claim to know their bibles. The signs clearly indicate we are in the final minutes of this system but the cannot see the time frame we are in and say we have lots of time to prepare. Surely we would not want to become blinded by any of these things only to realize to late what time frame we are in. The bible says many would claim to come in Jesus name and claim to have done his work and he would tell them “I never knew you!, get away from me you workers of lawlessness” . We would not want Jesus to view us as a worker of lawlessness. Not only that we are told to always stay alert so we would know how to prepare and be ready as the end of this system gets nearer and nearer. If we leave ourselves be spiritually blinded or made deaf , just like in Noah’s day , the end of this system and destruction would suddenly be upon us. The new system will be so amazing and their will be no suffering or violence or sadness. Even though things are getting very very tough we just have to endure a little longer and things will be much much better. The workers of lawlessness are those who do not obey Jesus and the commands he gave us. We should be aware of those who do not continue to grow spiritual not matter how nice them seem. Jesus is the narrow gate and we have to enter the narrow gate by imitating him as best we can and obeying him as our king.

One thing I do want to note. Since things are winding down many do not have the time they used to. If we are sharing bible truths we need to be aware of trials or tribulations they are enduring. Many do not have much time for even taking care of their personal life so sharing bible truths with ones in such a situation could become a burden if we are taking up too much of their time. We need to try and prepare and only share a few scriptures with them so we are not adding more burden on them.

So we can see how being spiritually blind can endanger us. Also not being aware of when someone is spiritually blind can endanger ourselves. We should not assume someone is spiritually blind if someone does not understand certain scriptures but we need to pay attention to how they react to them. If they react the way those who persecuted Jesus and killed him then we should be very careful with ones like that. If they are confused by what we show them give them time to think about it and even research it. They will ask questions if they want to know more. Be patient some have some things that are very deep set and it does not mean they do not love Jesus and God it, it may mean they need more time to let things sink in.

As things wind down we will need to be careful who we talk to and what we say to them. This includes spiritual relatives. We need to be aware when they are being spiritually blind or deaf. The bible warned many would turn on those who worship in truth even spiritual relatives and family will turn on those who worship in truth. By being aware of who is blind or deaf it can protect us, because they are the ones who will be most likely to turn on those who worship in truth. If we recognized any of these things mentioned in ourselves it should inspire us to do our best to work through them. If we are having difficulty we should pray to Jehovah about it and even seek the help of elders.

(2 Corinthians 4:1-4) 4 Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up. ² But we have renounced the shameful, underhanded things, not walking with cunning or adulterating the word of God; but by making the truth manifest, we recommend ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15) . . .. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.

(Exodus 23:8) ⁸ “You must not accept a bribe, for the bribe blinds clear-sighted men and can distort the words of righteous men.

(Ecclesiastes 7:6, 7) . . .. ⁷ But oppression can drive the wise one into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

(John 3:19-21) ¹⁹ Now this is the basis for judgment: that the light has come into the world, but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. ²⁰ For whoever practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his works may not be reproved. ²¹ But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that his works may be made manifest as having been done in harmony with God.”

(Isaiah 29:9, 10)  ⁹ Be stunned and amazed; Blind yourselves and be blinded. They are drunk, but not with wine; They are staggering, but not from alcohol. ¹⁰ For Jehovah has poured a spirit of deep sleep on you; He has closed your eyes, the prophets, And he has covered your heads, the visionaries.

(Isaiah 6:9)  ⁹ And he replied, “Go, and say to this people: ‘You will hear again and again, But you will not understand; You will see again and again, But you will not get any knowledge.’

(Isaiah 42:16-20) ¹⁶ I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know And cause them to tread on unfamiliar paths. I will turn the darkness before them into light And turn the rugged terrain into level land. This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.” ¹⁷ They will be turned back and will be utterly put to shame, Those who trust in carved images, Those who say to metal statues: “You are our gods.” ¹⁸ Listen, you who are deaf; Look and see, you who are blind. ¹⁹ Who is blind except my servant, So deaf as the messenger I send? Who is so blind as the one rewarded, So blind as the servant of Jehovah? ²⁰ You see many things, but you do not keep watch. You open your ears, but you do not listen.

(Lamentations 4:14) ¹⁴ They have wandered blindly in the streets. They are polluted with blood, So that none are able to touch their garments.

(Zephaniah 1:17) ¹⁷ I will cause distress to mankind, And they will walk like blind men, Because it is against Jehovah they have sinned. Their blood will be poured out like dust, And their flesh like the dung.

(Matthew 13:14-17) ¹⁴ And the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled in their case. It says: ‘You will indeed hear but by no means get the sense of it, and you will indeed look but by no means see. ¹⁵ For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them.’ ¹⁶ “However, happy are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things you are observing but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them.

(Matthew 23:16-36) ¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is under obligation.’ ¹⁷ Fools and blind ones! Which, in fact, is greater, the gold or the temple that has sanctified the gold? ¹⁸ Moreover, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is under obligation.’ ¹⁹ Blind ones! Which, in fact, is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ Therefore, whoever swears by the altar is swearing by it and by all the things on it; ²¹ and whoever swears by the temple is swearing by it and by the One inhabiting it; ²² and whoever swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God and by the One sitting on it. ²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was necessary to do, yet not to disregard the other things. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel! ²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greediness and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean. ²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you build the graves of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous ones, ³⁰ and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have shared with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ ³¹ Therefore, you are testifying against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Well, then, fill up the measure of your forefathers. ³³ “Serpents, offspring of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of Ge·henʹna? ³⁴ For this reason, I am sending to you prophets and wise men and public instructors. Some of them you will kill and execute on stakes, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zech·a·riʹah son of Bar·a·chiʹah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. ³⁶ Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

(Luke 6:39-42) ³⁹ Then he also told them an illustration: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Both will fall into a pit, will they not? ⁴⁰ A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher. ⁴¹ Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye but do not notice the rafter in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, allow me to remove the straw that is in your eye,’ while you yourself do not see the rafter in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the rafter from your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the straw that is in your brother’s eye.

(John 9:38-10:11) . . .. ³⁹ Jesus then said: “For this judgment I came into this world, that those not seeing might see and those seeing might become blind.” ⁴⁰ Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and they said to him: “We are not blind also, are we?” ⁴¹ Jesus said to them: “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, ‘We see.’ Your sin remains.” 10 “Most truly I say to you, the one who does not enter into the sheepfold through the door but climbs in by another way, that one is a thief and a plunderer. ² But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The doorkeeper opens to this one, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. ⁵ They will by no means follow a stranger but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus spoke this comparison to them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. ⁷ So Jesus said again: “Most truly I say to you, I am the door for the sheep. ⁸ All those who have come in place of me are thieves and plunderers; but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and that one will go in and out and find pasturage. ¹⁰ The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. ¹¹ I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep.

(John 12:36-43) . . .Jesus said these things and went off and hid from them. ³⁷ Although he had performed so many signs before them, they were not putting faith in him, ³⁸ so that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, who said: “Jehovah, who has put faith in the thing heard from us? And as for the arm of Jehovah, to whom has it been revealed?” ³⁹ The reason why they were not able to believe is that again Isaiah said: ⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes and has made their hearts hard, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their hearts and turn around and I heal them.” ⁴¹ Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory, and he spoke about him. ⁴² All the same, many even of the rulers actually put faith in him, but they would not acknowledge him because of the Pharisees, so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue; ⁴³ for they loved the glory of men even more than the glory of God.

(Romans 2:17-24) ¹⁷ If, now, you are a Jew in name and rely on law and take pride in God, ¹⁸ and you know his will and approve of things that are excellent because you are instructed out of the Law, ¹⁹ and you are convinced that you are a guide of the blind, a light for those in darkness, ²⁰ a corrector of the unreasonable ones, a teacher of young children, and having the framework of the knowledge and of the truth in the Law— ²¹ do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching, “Do not steal,” do you steal? ²² You, the one saying, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You, the one abhorring idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who take pride in law, do you dishonor God by your transgressing of the Law? ²⁴ For “the name of God is being blasphemed among the nations because of you,” just as it is written.

(2 Corinthians 4:2-6) . . .. ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. ⁵ For we are preaching, not about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God is the one who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ.

(2 Peter 3:5-13) ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people. ⁸ However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. ¹⁰ But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed. ¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, ¹² as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! ¹³ But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.

(1 John 2:9-11) ⁹ The one who says that he is in the light and yet hates his brother is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. ¹¹ But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and is walking in the darkness, and he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

(Revelation 3:17-19) ¹⁷ Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired riches and do not need anything at all,” but you do not know that you are miserable and pitiful and poor and blind and naked, ¹⁸ I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may become dressed and that the shame of your nakedness may not be exposed, and eyesalve to rub in your eyes so that you may see. ¹⁹ “‘All those for whom I have affection, I reprove and discipline. . . .

(1 John 1:5-10) ⁵ This is the message that we heard from him and are announcing to you: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. ⁶ If we make the statement, “We are having fellowship with him,” and yet we go on walking in the darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. ⁷ However, if we are walking in the light as he himself is in the light, we do have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we make the statement, “We have no sin,” we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we make the statement, “We have not sinned,” we are making him a liar, and his word is not in us.

(Acts 26:17-23) . . .you ¹⁸ to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by their faith in me.’ ¹⁹ “Therefore, King A·gripʹpa, I did not become disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰ but to those in Damascus first and then to those in Jerusalem, and over all the country of Ju·deʹa, and also to the nations, I was bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance. ²¹ This is why the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. ²² However, because I have experienced the help that is from God, I continue to this day bearing witness to both small and great, saying nothing except what the Prophets as well as Moses stated was going to take place— ²³ that the Christ was to suffer and that as the first to be resurrected from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to this people and to the nations.”

(Ephesians 5:6-14) ⁶ Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore, do not be sharers with them; ⁸ for you were once darkness, but you are now light in connection with the Lord. Go on walking as children of light, ⁹ for the fruitage of the light consists of every sort of goodness and righteousness and truth. ¹⁰ Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; ¹¹ and stop sharing in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness; rather, expose them for what they are. ¹² For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. ¹³ Now all the things that are being exposed are made evident by the light, for everything that is being made evident is light. ¹⁴ Therefore, it is said: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Christ will shine upon you.”

(Colossians 1:13, 14) ¹³ He rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins.

(2 Corinthians 4:1-6) 4 Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up. ² But we have renounced the shameful, underhanded things, not walking with cunning or adulterating the word of God; but by making the truth manifest, we recommend ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. ⁵ For we are preaching, not about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God is the one who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ.

(John 8:12-14) 8 ¹² Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will by no means walk in darkness, but will possess the light of life.” ¹³ So the Pharisees said to him: “You bear witness about yourself; your witness is not true.” ¹⁴ In answer Jesus said to them: “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my witness is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from and where I am going.

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) ¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” ¹⁸ “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”

(Luke 11:33-36) ³³ After lighting a lamp, a person puts it, not in a hidden place nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. ³⁴ The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is focused, your whole body is also bright; but when it is envious, your body is also dark. ³⁵ Be alert, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. ³⁶ Therefore, if your whole body is bright with no part of it dark, it will all be as bright as when a lamp gives you light by its rays.”

(Romans 13:11-14) . . .. ¹² The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore throw off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. ¹³ Let us walk decently as in the daytime, not in wild parties and drunkenness, not in immoral intercourse and brazen conduct, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh.

(Jeremiah 6:10) ¹⁰ “To whom should I speak and give warning? Who will listen? Look! Their ears are closed, so that they are unable to pay attention. Look! The word of Jehovah has become something they scorn; They find no pleasure in it.

(Jeremiah 13:9-11) . . .. ¹⁰ These evil people who refuse to obey my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart, and who are following other gods, serving and bowing down to them, will become just like this belt that is completely useless.’ ¹¹ ‘For just as a belt clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me,’ declares Jehovah, ‘to become to me a people, a name, a praise, and something beautiful. But they did not obey.’

(Psalm 58:2-4)  ² Instead, you devise unrighteousness in your heart, And your hands dispense violence in the land.  ³ The wicked go astray from birth; They are wayward, liars from the time they are born.  ⁴ Their venom is like the venom of serpents; They are deaf like the cobra that stops up its ear.

(Hebrews 5:11-14) ¹¹ We have much to say about him, and it is difficult to explain, because you have become dull in your hearing. ¹² For although by now you should be teachers, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a young child. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.

(2 Timothy 4:2-5) . . .. ³ For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled. ⁴ They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories. ⁵ You, though, keep your senses in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

(Matthew 24:37-39) ³⁷ For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ³⁸ For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, ³⁹ and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.

(1 Corinthians 10:20-24) . . .. ²¹ You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons. ²² Or ‘are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy’? We are not stronger than he is, are we? ²³ All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.

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