“For judgment I have come into this world, so the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
John 9:39

After my time in prayer this morning, I opened my Bible directly to this passage of scripture. Here is the backdrop: Jesus is speaking to the blind man, whom he healed. Jesus had heard that the Pharisees had questioned the blind man about this healing and also about whether or not Jesus was from God, saying:

“This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” Isn’t that interesting? The Pharisees missed recognizing Jesus and the miracle because they were focusing on what they understood to be spiritual: keeping the law of Moses. Because in their day, keeping the law of Moses required people to keep the sabbath day (as they understood it) to mean to not work. They saw the miracle as a work that should not have been performed on the Sabbath! How legalistic can they be?!!

Others, who were listening to this public conversation the Pharisees were having with the blind man then said:

“How can a sinner perform such signs?”. So they were divided.

We see this happening in the church today. God moves through the power of the Holy Spirit there is a healing or a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, and people doubt the miracle, because they don’t trust the source, or they are too proud to believe –or as Jesus called it they are “spiritually blind”.

It is good to be spiritually discerning about people, miracles, signs, and wonders, but don’t be such as a skeptic that you miss the miracle! The proof is in the fruits. Ask yourself these questions when discerning a report of moving of the Holy Spirit:

1. Was the person praying in the Name of Jesus?

2. Was the power of the Holy Spirit present and manifested?

3. Was the experience loving and in line with the fruits of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22)

4. Did God get the glory?

Don’t be like the Pharisees who threw the blind man out of the synagogue because he told the truth of the healing Jesus performed! Don’t give in to peer pressure, if you’ve witnessed a moving of the Holy Spirit that resulted in a miracle. Tell the truth and be a witness for JESUS!

Be like the blind man who was healed physically and then spiritually. He stood up to Pharisees when he was under attack:

“They (Pharisees) hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s (Jesus) disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, (Jesus) we don’t even know WHERE he comes from.”

The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You (Pharisees) don’t know where he (Jesus) comes from, yer he (Jesus) opened my eyes.

We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does His will.

Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

HOORAY for the healed blind man! He told the truth while under fire! He stood up for what he knew was right, even though it would bring consequences, punishment, and rejection! What courage! And, not only was he physically healed, he was spiritually blessed for following Jesus and embracing this mighty healing rather than rejecting the gift!

But the Pharisees–well, they missed Jesus and the miracle and they walked away PROUD and empty-handed. We know this because of what Jesus said to them after they threw the healed blind man out of the synagogue:

John 9:35-41

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, (the blind man) he said, “DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE SON of MAN?”

“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

The man said, “Lord, I BELIEVE,” and he worshipped him.

Jesus said for judgment (discernment) I have come into this world so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Some Pharisees who were with him (Jesus) heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we BLIND TOO?”

Jesus said, “if you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that YOU CLAIM YOU CAN SEE, your guilt REMAINS.”

Be wise my friend…DISCERN. Don’t miss the miracle, blessing, and manifestation of God. Be like the blind man and receive the miracle in Jesus’ Name and BELIEVE.

Ashley Gronholm