Pastor Ralph Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 2Corinthians 4:4 reveals that unbelievers suffer spiritual blindness because truth is veiled to those who are perishing in their sin. They are blinded by our enemy, the “god of this world”, who darkens their minds from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ and His glory. Ephesians 2:2 tells us that those who follow the course of this world, as governed by the “prince of the power of the air” (cf Ephesians 6:12), live in the passions of the flesh to carry out their own desires. So those who belong to satan belong to the darkness and desires of their own bodies and minds. This is the natural state we all were once in. The account of Pharaoh is a great parallel to consider here, and it demonstrates the deeper understanding that comes from comprehensive Bible study. Pharaoh considered himself to be the incarnation of their Egyptian creator god Amun-Re. In his eyes, this wasn’t a power struggle between Egyptians and Hebrews, but was a battle of authority between 2 gods (and each of the 10 plagues was Yahweh’s specific demonstration of His power over the domains of the whole order of lesser gods). Pharaoh saw this as a personal challenge to his presumed deity and authority to maintain cosmic order. The LORD already knew how Pharaoh would react, but gave 10 opportunities for the ruler to recognize, accept, and yield to the truth. The record of scripture makes it clear that every single time Pharaoh stubbornly chose to reject the light he was given, his prideful heart became increasingly hardened in sin until there was no turning back. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened to the light of truth by his own doing. Though not in the same way, the Jewish priesthood of Jesus’ day had set themselves above their own God Yahweh and were threatened by and staunchly opposed to any challenge to their authority and position. In following the systems of this world (and thus being governed by its god, satan) they suffered darkness of the mind and heart. As God-in-the-flesh stood right in front of them to repeatedly demonstrate and proclaim Truth, they remained in spiritual darkness because they flatly rejected every ray of light they were given. And so, yes, the Pharisees were responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness as they yielded themselves to the god of this world instead of Elohim, their omnipotent God who created this world and now revealed Himself as their Messiah, the Way and the Truth and the Life. Amazingly, the proof was so compelling and the threat of challenge to their way of life so real that they fell into a scheming blind panic mode and grasped at whatever means it would take to hold onto the worldly order they knew and treasured. In lesson 17, question 1, I mentioned my precious brother and am reminded of him again here. Doug witnessed the same miracles in our mother’s healing that I saw. Yet he has deepened his spiritual blindness because he has continued to reject God’s merciful demonstration of His power of life over death that everyone else clearly sees. His heart has become so hardened by resistance to truth that he says he doesn’t think he believes in God at all. (In our conversations he traces the roots of doubt and disbelief back to his youth as he saw profound hypocrisy in church members who called themselves Christians. What a sad, tragic condemnation.) I know God can still break through that darkness to open his spiritual eyes - and I still pray to that end!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerbrand van Schalkwyk Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness?Yes. They all had the evidence get they decided not to see. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? The obvious answer is Satan. The godof this world is Satan. Yet our way of living is a way to worship different gods of the world. Taking offence, pride, worshipping sport/ music / movie "idols" or any other man achievement points toward Baal. Astherah is worshipped through ****, free sex, infidelity, women dressing prerogativly and.so much.more Dagon is worshipped in how easily we overeat Mammon we worship in our love for.money / material stuff and for power. Bacchus through social events, social networks, any form of addictions or any form of social behavior that we put infant of God. most of the gods of the world -idols- of Biblical times are still very much being worshipped or even more so. Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Sometimes Sometimes it was Pharaoh who was prudence and who harden his heart as shown in the verses above. Other times it was God Who harden his heart because God wanted to show the would His Power through what happened to Egypt and Israel. See Ex 10:20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerbrand van Schalkwyk Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 More verses to show God made Pharaoh's heart hard when Pharoah pride didn't do it Ex10:27 Ex 9:12 + 11:10 It is clear that Pharaoh sin and pride sometimes make his heart hard, but other times God did it. Often i wonder how people can continue in sin if God is so obviously there. People like Hitler must have known they were wrong, yet because of Hitler the Jews now have a country again. I can only wonder how much of those was in God's planning. He is afterall still always in control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? Yes, they were. They knew the scriptures but chose power and position as their god. They did not seek to know God! According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? The god of this world blinds the eyes and minds to truth. He is a deceiver and destroyer set against God to try to prevent God's Kingdom from coming and to thwart as many as possible from believing the Truth which will rescue them from his evil control. Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes, he was...The first reference said that Pharaoh made his heart stubborn. Later when there was no repentance, God hardened his heart further. The same sun shines on wax and clay....the wax softens and melts and the clay hardens....It's based on attitude and self will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarence Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). People are responsible for their hardness of heart and spiritual blindness if they claim to be believers (9:41) I know that sometimes I have a hard heart. For example I may hear a sermon where I learn something new about how I should live as a christian, however I do not investigate the scriptures further and often forget what was said. Perhaps i'm apaththetic because of the pressures and business of life or is that just an excuse (Luke 21:34-35, Romans 12:1-2). According to 2 Corinthians 4:4 the devil (the god of this age) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, however believers in the bible are also exorted to set their eyes on the things above, not on the world or the cares of this life (James 1:7, Col 3:2). The Pharaoh was responsible for heardening his own heart, just as all mankind is responsible for their own response to God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiKosum Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes the Pharisees were responsible for their hard hearts. They did not want to believe in Jesus because they knew that their lives would change if they believed. Hence they suppressed the truth by their wickedness. In doing this, they open themselves to the god of this world to cause their spiritual blindness. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." In Pharaoh's case, it was God who hardened his heart so that God may deliver Israel from the Egyptians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? Yes, the Pharisees were responsible for hard hearts because they have set their minds not believe Jesus. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? According the 2 Corinthians 4:4 the de devil, the god of this world is the cause of spiritual blindness. Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). According to these verses, Pharaoh was responsible for the hardness of his heart. He stubbornly refused to believe the word of God that was sent through Moses. Consequently, he refused to let the people of God to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? 1. Yes! The Pharisees were responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness because they were blind to Jesus. They knew that if they claim to see that they would have to change their life. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). 2. Spiritual blindness is cause by those that refuse to believe. They are blinded by Satan with the luring of money, power and pleasure of the world. No, God hardened Pharaoh heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes they were responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness. It is the same with everything, reading writing and arithmetic. If we refuse to listen and learn we will grow up dull, limited, the same as a baby. Some people cannot be taught because they will not be taught. 'No one can going to tell me what to do.' Including the pharaohs and the pharisees of then and today. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). The Pharisees of Jesus time were responsible for their own hard hearts and spiritual blindness. Because of their arrogance, their position in the government and knowledge received from their tutors, they considered everyone else to be sinners. Common people were illiterate and only learned from the Jewish leaders. According to 2nd Corinthians 4:4 the causes for spiritual are; the god of this world, Satan, has blinded their minds, lest the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ who is the image of God, should shine on them. Pharaoh was responsible for the hardness of his own heart because he refused to believe in the God of creation. God used this hardness of Pharaoh to demonstrate that He was the true God, not the images of Egypt and their beliefs in their gods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted February 6, 2015 Report Share Posted February 6, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). The Pharisees possessed natural sight and thought they also possessed spiritual sight, but their reaction to Jesus showed they were really spiritually blind. Yet, the blind man had received both physical and spiritual sight from Jesus. So, all that the Pharisees had to do to receive spiritual sight, was to acknowledge their blindness and accept our Lord Jesus as the Messiah. But we know that they had confirmed their spiritual blindness by insisting that they can see perfectly well without the Lord Jesus. From 2 Corinthians 4:4 we know that Satan caused this spiritual blindness in the Pharisees. Pharaoh had begun to harden his own heart when Moses and Aaron performed the first miraculous sign before him, just as God said he would. (Exodus7:3). And he continued to do so with each visit of Moses. Unknown to Pharaoh he was acting in accordance with God’s plan of getting the Jews out of Egypt. However, we should note that God does not harden a man’s heart who has not first hardened it himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilter Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 1.To the ones that would not confess Jesus said they were blind and would never see their hard hard hearths. It is because of our stubbornness, stupidity that keeps us from our Savior. 2.those who refuse Christ wanting only what their pursuits in life have made satan their God unknowingly. 3.God had warn Pharaoh over and over about hard hearts. Some times when we dis-obey our Lord He will leave us.All we have to do is not to be blind to the word and Jesus Chrisit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebeccaMallinson Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Yes he was responsible. We all have personal responsibility and the ability to be humble enough to change our minds. According to 2Corinthians 4:4 the Devil is the cause of spiritual blindness. Yes, Pharaoh was responsible for his hardness of heart. He received warning after warning and saw proof after proof, but refused to listen to Moses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royk Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). We must accept responsibility for our thoughts, words and deeds. But yet we can lie to ourselves based on habits not properly analyzed, based on hardened hearts from disappointment, shame, etc. Some how God offers us gently to come to Him, His unfailing love tempts us all the time, from the beauty of a snow fall, to seeing a beautiful deer in the wild, God shows His love and grace time and time again. The devil will pounce on us once we have thoughts that fall outside the fruits of the spirit. If we start to go astray, be can eventually become hardened in our ways. But there is still hope for anyone to see Him, the their on the cross and even a sinner like me. Pharaoh had become accustomed to his power over the Jews, though he paid the price of his son to come to see that he was not a god, he still destroyed his army rushing to break his promise to set them free. God's will prevailed, as it always does. So we praise Him and glorify His name - Jesus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace2free Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? Yes. The Pharisees are a reminder to us that not everyone can "see" and "hear" Jesus. Only those who have eyes to see (Revelation 3:18) and ears to hear (Luke 8:8; 14:35; Mark 8:18; Revelation 2:7, 11). Spiritual blindness is a curse of the devil. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4) But at the same time, according to Jesus, we are responsible for our hard hearts: "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." (9:41) "39 Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.'40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, 'What? Are we blind too?'41 Jesus said, 'If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.'" (9:39-41) According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? The devil's curse. Spiritual blindness is a curse of the devil. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4) Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes. He was blind of his power. He thought he was greater than God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Tavaziva Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Actually the Pharisees were shocked that Jesus thought they were spiritually blind. Jesus countered by saying that it was only blindness (stubbornness and stupidity) that could excuse their behavior. To those who remained open and recognized how sin had truly blinded them from knowing the truth, he gave spiritual understanding and insight. But he rejected those who had become complacent, self-satisfied, and blind. The word of God is revealed to everyone, except to those who refuse to believe. Satan is “the god of this evil world.” His work is to deceive, and he has blinded those who don’t believe in Christ. The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ’s Good News. Those who reject Christ and prefer their own pursuits have unknowingly made Satan their god. After repeated warnings, Pharaoh still refused to obey God. He hardened his heart every time there was a break in the plagues. His stubborn disobedience brought suffering upon himself and his entire country. While persistence is good, stubbornness is usually self-centered. Stubbornness toward God is always disobedience. Avoid disobedience because the consequences may spill onto others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanG Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 The Pharisees were very much responsible for their hard hearts and their spiritual blindness. They had all the knowledge needed to know that Jesus actually came from God. However, they refused to believe what was before their eyes. They were more concerned about their own powers to enslave the Jewish people. They would have lost all of their ability to rule the lesser Jews in harsh ways. They would have had to admit that they were all equal. God actually hardened the heart of the Pharaoh during the time of Moses leaving Egypt. He needed to show the power he had through Moses. he had to build up Moses as the leader from God so that the Israelites would follow and listen to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Applegarth Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes, we are all totally responsible for our own spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. Refusal to believe. Absolutely, He saw that there was relief but he’d hardened his heart and didn’t heed the warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 I think that the Pharisees were responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness. They knew the scriptures but chose the ignore them. They liked the rules that they had generated because that made the look great. Spiritual blindness is caused by believing in the gods of the age by letting their gods blind them. Yes, Pharaoh was responsible for his blindness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godswriter Posted April 5, 2019 Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes because they refused to see that Jesus was the Messiah and that He was the Son of God. What causes it a refusal to believe in what is revealed to you in the Scriptures. Yes because he refused to believe as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Price Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 the Pharisees refused to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Unbelief, according to 2 Corinthians causes spiritual blindness. Pharaoh was responsible for his hardness of heart. God used him to show His Glory. Even when Pharaoh might have changed his heart, God made him harden it again, just to proof again His Might, His power. Pharaoh considered himself to be a great king, a god within himself who believed in gods who could not even begin to matched the power of the only true and living God. Even in all that he witness, he still hardened his heart in unbelief. The Pharisees were the same. They witness the miracles of Jesus and still choose not to believe, they harden their hearts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Edwards Posted October 21, 2021 Report Share Posted October 21, 2021 Yes they were responsible (2 Corinthians 3:15-16; Matthew 13:14). Satan blinded them (John 8:44; 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2 ; 1 John 3:9; 5:18). Pharoah persisted in rebellion and reaped bad consequences. Prophet Ezekiel repeatedly preached about persistent rebellion. God will be mercifull. However; God will put delusions or stumbling blocks into their hearts. Ezekiel 8-9 describes this process quite succinctly; secret sins are destructive as well as false teachers and gross heresies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted July 25, 2022 Report Share Posted July 25, 2022 Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). Yes It seems to be so, because they refused to really see and claimed that they were not blind. They did not claim to be uncertain but rejected Christ without hearing what he had to say. They had determined in their hearts that He needed to be put to death. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4 the god of this world blinds the unbelievers minds preventing them from seeing the light of the Gospel. Ex 8:15 . . . he (Pharaoh) made his heart stubborn and hard and would not listen or heed them . . . Ex 8:32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart and made it stubborn this time also, . . . Ex 9:34 . . . he . . . and toughened and stiffened his hard heart . Ex 10:3 . . . How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? . . . . Ex 13:15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go . . . 1 Samuel 6:6 . . . as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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