Beware of Your Blind Spots!

What you choose to ignore becomes your blind spot.

By opening your awareness you expand your vision.

~Unknown Author

Scripture:

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but

he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

~Proverbs 28:13

Perspective:

Have you ever been driving down the road and suddenly realized something or someone was in your blind spot?  You may have even narrowly escaped an accident.  Spiritual blind spots are similar, and we all have them.  This concept refers to an area (or areas) in our life that is negatively impacting us, yet we cannot see it, and it can also lead to a “crash.”  They are shortcomings or weaknesses that we either do not clearly see or we choose to diminish their significance.  They have the potential to have a negative impact on our own life and even the lives of those around us.  It is difficult to see our self the way others are able to see us, just think about how easy it is for you to see what others are doing wrong, things they often do not see themselves.  Sometimes we say or do things that we think are meaningless but that is not the way others see them.  If enough people, especially those we trust, say the same thing, as hard as it can be, it may be time to listen and consider the validity of their feedback.  No one is perfect, we all have strengths and weaknesses; what matters most is our willingness to face our weaknesses head-on and work to improve them, and that is a process.  Whether we see our flaws or not, we will experience the natural consequences of our sinful and bad behaviors.

Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we are all left spiritually blind.  We easily minimize our sins and maximize our goodness, in an effort to protect our self and to keep our pride intact, this can even be done subconsciously.  Not only is it difficult to see our flaws, but it is difficult to admit and then face them head on when we do see them.  That is why God asks us, Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is the log in your own eye (Matthew 7:3-4)?  Self-deceit is an innate part of mankind.  Have you ever been in a relationship that “everyone” warned you about, yet you fought to protect and preserve it?  Only later, when we are far removed from that toxic relationship, are we able to see what everyone was warning us about.

This self-deceit can also be seen when we twist what the Bible says to fit what we are doing or want to do.  Whether we choose to agree with the Bible or not, it is God’s Word, and we cannot change it to fit our own beliefs and needs.  All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).  This is where trusting God comes in.  If we believe in God, then we must trust Him, we must trust that He has a plan and a purpose for our trials and the adversity we face on a regular basis, even when we do not understand that purpose.  We must trust that He can see the big picture while we can only see what is right in front of us.  When we fail to see and do things as Christ does or commands us to do, then we leave cracks for satan to slip in and influence us.  Be soberminded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (1 Peter 5:8-9).

We are responsible for our spiritual blind spots, just as we are responsible for the blind spots we experience when we are driving down the road.  It is God’s role to convict other people.  When people try to convict others, they often end up condemning them.  However, sometimes God uses us as a vehicle to convict another, but it is not our job to initiate doing so, a practice so many of us easily take part in regularly.  Our job is to speak God’s truth out of love, to be a light for others, and to correct people softly.  But most of our focus needs to be on our self.  We all have enough to worry about with our own blind spots and sinful behaviors!  Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness, keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.  Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ.  But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work, and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another.  For every person will have to bear his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible] (Galatians 6:1-2, 4-5).

Sometimes we are able to see our shortcomings and sins but not to the degree that they are negatively affecting our life.  We all need the Holy Spirit to truly convict us, to help us see the truth.  The Holy Spirit will cause us to have epiphany moments and be able to recognize negative patterns in our own character…if we are open to it!  Have you ever suddenly just felt like you got “it,” whatever your “it” was, and asked yourself how you could have overlooked “it” for so long?  I certainly have!  Conviction may hurt in the moment but be assured it brings greater joy to your future.  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:5-8).  We must walk in the light of Jesus, and that means facing our sins and flaws head on in order to become more Christ-like.  If we do not see any, we must ask God to search our heart and convict us of our wrongdoings.  Then, we must repent so we will be forgiven, and our slate will be wiped clean; repentance must be ongoing for Christians.  Our God is so very loving and quick to forgive those who repent! 

Life Applications:

>Include this scripture in your prayers on a regular basis: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts;  and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).  Seek to clearly see your shortcomings and sins and then to correct them.  When we stand before God, we must be accountable for our life and our conduct, He will not want to hear excuses or the blaming of others.  He will want to know how we used, or did not use, His Word and the gifts He gave us…remember the “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30)?

>>If you have not done so already, go to the Foundation tab at the top of my website’s home page.  Then scroll down to Strengths and Weaknesses.  Print out those lists and read through them.  Next, pray on them, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal your true strengths and weaknesses to you, and that you may receive His conviction with an open mind and heart.  A few days later (give or take) go back to the lists and circle your strengths and weaknesses.  Lastly, make a plan to work on learning, growing, and changing your shortcomings, on becoming the best person that YOU can be and thus living your best life; this will not randomly happen. >>>Begin to make it a habit to ask yourself what part you played in any conflicts and failures you face; resist the urge to blame others or point out what they did wrong.  Remember, you are responsible for y-o-u!