On yesterday, July 12, 2022, a member of the Proud Boys and a former spokesperson for the Oath Keepers testified before Congress regarding the January 6 insurrection. One of the men, Steven Ayres, testified that he had lost his job, his home and his reputation because of his involvement with the insurrection. He admits that he became addicted to right wing pro-Trump social media and now realizes he has been duped. He volunteered to testify so that others might take off their blinders and see things as they really are. Sadly, but we must realize there are consequences for our actions. 

Many of us have asked the question, “How can people be so gullible, ignorant, blind, or naive to the point that they believe any and everything a person says, be it right or wrong?” There are persons whose lives have been destroyed because of the rhetoric and lies by a man who is only concerned about himself and no one else. People died because this same man publicly stated that the pandemic was a hoax. Just maybe those who are wearing blinders will now begin to take them off. We must also ask the question, “How could we let one man make our lives so miserable over the last several years. The answer is because many of our leaders wore/wear blinders intentionally, for they prefer to see themselves as being powerful figures rather than elected officials for the people.       

According to Oxford Dictionary, the definition of blinders is as follows: a pair of small screens attached to a horse’s bridle to prevent it from seeing sideways and behind. Another definition is: something that prevents someone from gaining a full understanding of a situation.”

Doesn’t that sound just like something Satan would do. He does not want us to have a full understanding of God’s holy Word. Satan wants us to keep our blinders on so that we might become one of his imps. He does not want us to live by truth, rather lies that will keep us from acknowledging that God is God. We must take off our blinders and fully engage ourselves in the will, work and word of God. Maybe, we have been wearing blinders because we do not wish to fully submit ourselves to God, but let today be your day that you take your blinders off and give your life totally to God.

Some of us wear blinders in our every day living. There are people who live in abusive situations because they are afraid or because of their dependence on another person. You may be wearing blinders on your job and you fail to see that you are being overlooked for a promotion. Please take the blinders off and stop living a lie. Too often we find ourselves letting other people think for us, but I admonish all of us today to take off your blinders and begin to think for yourself.

We Christians have a tendency of wearing blinders that keep us from seeing all that God has in store for us. Sometimes we fail to receive our blessings, and be a blessing to others because we wear blinders.

Taking our blinders off will allow us to live the truth freely, and will help us to see more clearly the will of God. Acts 26: 17-18 says,” I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.”

May we like the apostle Paul be prepared and willing to testify to others the Good News of Christ so that they may be turned from darkness to light.

We are living in a time when Spiritual blindness has wreaked havoc throughout the land. The cause of Spiritual blindness in Scripture: “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Paul refers to Satan as the “god of this world.” May we remember the promise that Jesus has made to us: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).      

In closing, may we open our eyes fully and see what God has available unto us through his Word.

Not a sermon, just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor