Hath Blinded the Minds of the Unbelieving by Benjamin George Wilkinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1916

“Hath Blinded the Minds of the Unbelieving”

By Benjamin George Wilkinson

B. G. WILKINSON

No one considers it a blessing to be blind. Yet, while the processes by which the physical eye is blinded are usually painful, Satan has made pleasing the way to spiritual blindness. With spiritual blindness our vision becomes straitened. Higher joys, higher fields of endeavor, and higher impulses are hid from the unseeing. And all this is the result of unbelief.

It was Paul who said, “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving.” 2 Cor. 4:4. In translation. There is always a cause when one is growing blind. Satan is the one who can turn out the light we have to guide us through this life. But he can never do it without the consent of man. God endeavors to keep up the supply of illuminating current, and save souls from the dangers of darkness. Unbelief alone can break the connection between us and God. It is the unbelieving who have no vision of greater forces in the universe, and become subject to the lower emotions. When trial comes, there is not a power within great enough to break the oppression without. The mind is no longer full of the inspiring uplift, and blindness ensues. It is a terrible thing to have an unbelieving mind.

Almost in the same breath the apostle declares, “But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing.” The gospel preached can mean different things to two different persons. The Jews in reading the Old Scriptures see only what their ancestors saw more than two thousand years ago. Christ is the center of those same writings to the Christian. It is the unbelieving who are perishing. The inner eye is growing dark. By continually dwelling in the caverns of doubt, they are perishing for the life-giving sunlight of faith. When the truth is preached, some believe with all readiness of mind; some exact multiplied proof, and then will doubt still. Without faith the mental qualities are not alert. Faith is the telescope which brings unseen greatness within the range of our vision. How great is faith!

There is within us a faculty to which truth commends itself. That faculty is the conscience. As the apostle says, “By the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Conscience is not the possession only of Western nations. It dwells in all men. The Chinese have it; the savage possesses it. It responds to the presentation of truth as the steel responds to the magnet. The inner eye beholds the beauties for which it was created, and which are not revealed to the physical eye. Faith rejoices at the coming of its long-awaited Lord. Truth wakes the slumbering force, the whole being quivers with new life, and hastens to press forward. Around the great white throne of God will stand not those whom men have thought sure of enjoying the glories of heaven, but those whose consciences, polished by faith, laid hold on truth. But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are perishing; for the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving. Unbelieving, perishing, the two terms mean the same.

None but those who believe have a message. “I believed,” said Paul, “and therefore did I speak.” Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was struck dumb because of unbelief at the announcement of the angel. Faith loosens the tongue and speaks the word by which nations are raised from degradation. Unbelief is dumb. It has no vision to endow it with inspiring utterance. Faith bids the Holy Ghost draw near, and where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty. Then the soul realizes how poor it is in heavenly riches. It is one thing to be in poverty, but a far worse thing is it to be blind to one’s poverty. It may seem severe to be compelled to walk the straight and narrow path; but faith would choose no other, for it is the only path in which we can have fellowship with God. One whose eyes are not blinded by unbelief, would prefer rather to unload more and yet more of earthly treasures than to quit the narrow path.