A friend of mine recently had cataract surgery. Although a relatively young candidate for this procedure, she was informed by her doctor that she made his top three worst cataracts list. I’m sure she was thrilled. Today, colors are vivid, and she can pick up fine details—like all of her friends’ wrinkles. Her stories post-surgery revealed how poor her eyesight had become. The difference is stark.

Scripture warns us of spiritual blindness, and it sneaks up on us just as cataracts do.

One culprit? Drift. Letting things slide. Swept along by the calendar and the to-do list.

God challenges us to be intentional:

Deut. 6:6 “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

2 Peter 1:5-7  “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”

Lessons from Bible studies, church services, and Christian conferences without practical application become lost. Good intentions die, and we continue to drift. So, what are some consequences of drift? These verses which pick up where the above verses left off:

Deut. 6:12  “be careful that you do not forget the Lord,”

James 1:23-24 “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (Short answer? No change.)

2 Peter 1:9 “But whoever does not have them [the list in 2 Peter1:5-7] is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”

Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,”

Cats like to play with their prey, and the enemy does it with deception and spiritual blindness. You can’t stand your ground against something you can’t see. Blind prey is easy prey.

Have you noticed a slow decline in your walk with God?

What have you been meaning to do spiritually, but haven’t gotten to yet?

Look for small pockets of time you can reclaim for Him.

Use technology to grab some extra Bible reading, worship, or Scripture memorization.

Be intentional regarding your relationship with God. Keep Him in sight at all times, and He will help you see clearly.

Questions:

Has your spiritual sight ever gotten fuzzy?

Why does more sin cloud your judgment and good choices sharpen it?

What obstacles hinder your intentionality?

Which will you tackle today?

Tweetables:

Spiritual blindness sneaks up on us just as cataracts do. The culprit? Drift. Click To Tweet
Without application learning is lost. Good intentions die, and we continue to drift. Click To Tweet
Blind prey is easy prey. Click To Tweet
Look for small pockets of time you can reclaim for Him. Click To Tweet