There are many different conditions of spiritually vision.  Let us look at a few of them.

Spiritual Blindness 

When an individual espouses a doctrine that is from man, and then begins to teach or practice it, he is demonstrating spiritual blindness.  Jesus said of some, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; ⁹ in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’”  (Matthew 15:8-9).  He then said bout them, “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:14).

Anyone who teaches for doctrine the commandments of men is spiritually blind.  A common practice that illustrates this is the use of musical instruments in worship.  Many people misunderstand why we oppose musical instruments in our worship services.  It is not because we do not like them, or because we think they are inherently sinful, it is simply because there is no New Testament authority for them, which is required in order to use them  (Colossians 3:17).  Those who use musical instruments should take note of the fact that the New Testament church never used them, even though they were available to them.

Do we know for sure that musical instruments were not used in the New Testament church?  Yes, it has been thoroughly researched by both biblical scholars and musical historians, and their findings are the same—musical instruments did not come along until over five hundred years after the church was established.  But, we do not need men to tell us this. We can turn to the Bible and see that the only music in the church was singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16, etc.).  To ignore this truth is to prove oneself to be spiritually blind.

Eyes Out of Focus 

Who has eyes that are out of focus spiritually?  Consider the following with me:

1. Those Desiring the immediate over things eternal. Too many people look only to the here and now. They are primarily concerned with what they can touch and handle.  This is because their eyes are not properly focused.  If they were, they would see that physical riches last but for a moment, and so does the pleasure that accompanies them.  Spiritual riches, however, are forever.  Those with proper spiritual vision can see this (2 Corinthians 4:8-18; Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 3:20). 

2. Those Confusing human approval with divine acceptance. Some conclude that if something is accepted by man, it will be pleasing to God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We will be judged by what God has approved, not by what man accepts (John 12:48-50).  Baptism is a perfect example of this.  Some say that baptism is not essential, but what does God say? God demands baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  There are too many who have not been baptized but think they are in favor with God because man approves of them.  But,  the approval of man does not mean that God accepts one.  To think that one can be right with God while not obeying Him is to have unfocused eyes.

  Lustful Eyes 

The world is filled with lustful eyes, but this is nothing new.  Eve lusted for the fruit that was not hers by law (Genesis 3:6).  David lusted after Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-3).  Simon, the former magician, lusted after the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18-19).  Today lustful eyes seem to be the norm.  In fact, those who do not have them are often viewed as being peculiar by many in the world.  A young girl or boy who keeps themselves pure is considered strange (1 Peter 4:3, 4).  A husband without a roaming eye is viewed as not being normal by his worldly friends.  Nevertheless, we are not to conform to the standard of the world (Romans 12:2).  The world may have lustful eyes, but let us do all we can to avoid this disease of the spiritual eye.  

Closed Eyes   

How foolish it is for someone to purposely close his eyes to the truth.  John once said that many among the chief rulers of Israel believed in Jesus, but because of the Pharisees they refused to confess Him (John 12:42).  They purposely closed their eyes to the truth because they loved the praise of man more than the praise of God. Some today close their eyes to the truth of God’s Word because, if they acknowledge the truth, the change in their lives will be too great.  How sad!

The question is, “How are your eyes?” If they are not what they should be, you can fix them by making proper application of God’s Word.  As Paul once said, “I pray that the eyes of your understanding might be enlighten”  (Ephesians 1:18).