Overcoming Spiritual Blindness
By James P. Gills MD.
The day I read this book, my life was transformed. I had spent most of my life believing I was a good and righteous person. But as I turned the pages, my eyes were opened—I saw just how blind I had been. It was like having spiritual cataracts removed. I now realize how easy it is for all of us to be blind to our own sin.
Quotes
"Our pride, selfishness, unbridled passions, moods, fears, distorted perceptions, and desire to control, to name a few, can hinder our relationship with the Lord and negatively affect our behavior within the body of Christ and with unbelievers. These cataracts involve negative motivations for our life and must be confronted in order to be removed."
"Pride, as we have discussed, causes people to elevate themselves above their neighbors and to exclude them from their own experiences of life. Many gravitate toward, and cling to, those who appear to be the same and can confirm that their blindness is justified. We learn to identify with false differences and to reinforce them in a group. Kings are not commoners, and farmers are not doctors. One is better than another; at least, so we think. But our evaluations are not of God"
"To redeem our values, attitudes, imaginations, and finally, our motivations requires that we submit to God and diligently seek love, justice, and righteousness. This is the strategy for victory in the "battlefield" that will determine our fulfillment of divine destiny as we progress toward full faith."
"It is imperative that our mindset and motivations be controlled by the Holy Spirit in order to win the battle for our minds."
"Negative thoughts and motivations will destroy us on the "battlefield" and divide us from others."
"Spiritual maturity comes from walking in God's peace. A mature person, motivated by godly desire, is willing to accept blame and ceases to blame others."
"How you think, feel, and react to adversity are within your control; it is your responsibility to determine your thoughts, actions, and reactions. You decide whether to act out of anger, jealousy, or self-pity, or to live as Christ taught,"
"When you are distracted by life, perhaps wayward, buried in formal structures, or lost in your own selfish concerns, you cannot be free, and you cannot see."