READ: Luke 18:9-14
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. :- Philippians 2:4
This Pharisee was completely blind to the fact that he was far from God and not pleasing to God. He thought he was something that he was not. He was completely unaware of his true state. Spiritual blindness is something that affects the modern church. Notice how the Laodicean church was struck with a state of blindness. This blindness is a very serious condition because it caused the Israelites to miss their Messiah when He came.
Barrenness is caused by self-centredness. The spiritually blind Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14 prayed “thus with himself.” His life centred on himself and what was important to him. There was nothing like “others.” He never thought of other people. Not thinking of other people makes you barren, fruitless and useless.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:4
Spiritually blind people are self-centred. Self-centredness has two branches. On one hand, you are concerned with yourself and you never think of helping or saving other people. The other branch of self-centredness has to do with the fact that you do not know what is happening in other people’s ministries. You think that everything great and important is happening in your ministry.
Many rich western ministries became spiritually blind and they could not see what God was doing in poorer developing countries. Often, rich and successful ministries are struck with severe blindness until they become poor and unsuccessful themselves. Then, suddenly, their eyes open and they find out that there are other important parts of the body of Christ. They find out that even though a church does not have a hundred and fifty thousand dollars to give as honorarium, it is still a valid ministry.