TUESDAY June 22, 2021

Darkened Minds

...having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:18-19

Paul used many words to describe those who do not know Christ. The word darkened in the Greek language means “to darken or to blind the mind.” Those who do not know God, not having the light of His Word, are spiritually blind. They have a mind that is constantly taken over by the darkness––the world. We used to be just like them, but God has brought us into the light.

The word alienated means “to be estranged from God.” Those without Christ are friendless. They are not a friend of God, as Abraham was a friend of God (James 2:23). The word ignorance denotes “an ignorance of divine things.” They remain ignorant because they do not know God and His Word.

The word blindness means “hardness or the covering with a callous.” When you cut your finger, as it heals, the cut can actually become a little hard––calloused. That is what happens to the heart when a person allows sin to enter the mind. They begin to have no sensitivity––no feeling. That is why the world is so polluted today.

I believe with all my heart, this generation is getting worse and worse. They constantly listen to garbage on social media and television. The words entering their minds have overtaken them. Therefore, as there is no receptiveness to the Word of God, their minds and hearts will eventually harden––it callouses. They do not listen. It is like talking to a brick wall.

Satan has them on his frequency; they are not on God’s frequency. They do not have an ear to listen to the things of God. As they fail to tune their ears and minds to the Word of God, they live without hope. God’s Word is powerful. It can break through their calloused heart (Hebrews 4:12).

In your own mind–darkened, will–paralyzed, conscience–dulled soul, God can make the light penetrate and turn the darkness of your own life into day, if you will let him.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!