The Blindness of Self-Deceit
Be encouraged by today’s Scripture reflection and prayer.
Today's Scripture
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
— Psalm 36:1-2 (NLT)
Reflection
One day, I was watching a video on YouTube. It was a conversation between a famous atheist and his former mentee, who had turned to Jesus Christ. I had heard the atheist speak before, mocking Christians and their faith. His life was his to live however he wanted, free from any accountability. But the contrast between the two, this former atheist and the believer, really got me thinking. How could one man be so blinded to the truth and the other so clearly transformed?
This story isn’t just for atheists. It’s a picture of how many of us live in our sin, thinking we are good enough, thinking our ways are just fine. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that as long as we’re doing good by our own standards, everything is okay. We might sit in a church pew with that mindset, thinking we’re in the clear. But like the psalmist, we see that we were all once lost in our own ways, thinking we were righteous on our own. The reality is, we are all stained and blind to our sin until God opens our eyes to see the truth.
The same prideful blindness the psalmist talks about in Psalm 36:1-2—“they have no fear of God”—is something that can affect us all. We may be living our lives thinking we're fine, not realizing the depth of our sin and the separation it causes from God. The very thing that separates us from the righteousness of God is the lie that we’re good on our own, that we don’t need His grace.
But the beauty of the gospel is that God doesn’t leave us in that state. It’s only by His righteousness, His revelation, that we can see our sin for what it is, something that brings sorrow and brokenness. It's through God’s mercy that our eyes are opened, and we realize how deeply we need His forgiveness. We cannot change ourselves, but He can change us through His love and grace.
Today's Prayer
Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to my sin and showing me the depths of Your righteousness. I acknowledge that without You, I would be blind to my need for You. Help me to live in the truth of who I am and who You are, and help me reflect Your goodness in my life. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Before You Go
If you’re reading this and feel like you’ve been living in your own self-deception, thinking you're “good enough” or that your way is fine, I want to encourage you today: God’s grace is bigger than any blind spot we have. No matter where you are in life, whether you’re a believer who’s drifted or someone who hasn’t yet come to know Christ, the invitation is the same. Jesus opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are and who He is. His grace can break through any blindness, any pride, any lie we’ve believed. If you’re ready to see life the way God intended it, to experience forgiveness and transformation, take that step of faith today. The gospel is an invitation to open your eyes and your heart to His love, His truth, and His salvation.
