Blind Spot

Several years ago, I learned about the Johari Window. It is a self-awareness test that shows how blind we are in how we see ourselves. Think of it as an iceberg that has far more beneath the surface than what is visible. It is made up of four quadrants, each representing a different aspect of human interaction.

• • • Open area: What you know about yourself and are willing to share with others.
    • Blind area: What others know about you, but you don’t know about yourself.
    • Hidden area: What you know about yourself, but don’t want to share with others.
    • Unknown area: What is unknown to you and others.

This model was often used in corporate settings to help improve relationships and communication by understanding conscious and unconscious bias.

The Johari Window reveals everyone is blind in some areas of their life. It is easy to see in political figures who are certain what they see is right when others can see their idea leads to destruction. It is also true of our spiritual life. The Psalmist and Prophets referred to this condition as having eyes but cannot see and ears but cannot hear. Isaiah wrote for the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers) (29:10 (ESV). An example of this is also seen in the Jewish leaders who refused to believe what Jesus said. At a different level, Jesus’ disciples were blind. Jesus repeatedly preached for three years about the kingdom of God. Nevertheless, they still didn’t ‘get it’ until Jesus ascended into Heaven!

People in the church today have varying levels of spiritual blindness. Our perception of God limits what He can do in our life or through us. A few examples of this are…

• • • Unbelief (shown in not being willing to take a risk with or for Him).
    • Pride (personal knowledge or experience, doctrine, way of worship).
    • Past wounds, sinful habits (gossip, prejudice, addictions, contempt, thinking like the world).
    • Need to control.
    • Too busy to spend time seeking God. You no doubt have others that came to you.

Of course, we are not able to ‘see’ the blind areas in our life, and that is a most sobering thought to me. My personal prayer is that God please protect me from myself, the foolish decisions I make due to my blind area. Recently someone fixed my collar at church, which I appreciated. Later my ‘fly’ was down, but I didn’t see it either. I NEED others to be candid with me and tell me what I don’t see about myself, but not just about my apparel.  We all NEED each other to be candid with us and call our attention to spiritual or social blind spots we have. Have you given permission to your friends to do that? How else are we going to become like Jesus?

Paul wrote some very sobering words that we often attribute to others who are spiritually blind. Romans 1:18-22 (abbreviated -NLT2) But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God … Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.

 I urge you to get alone with God and ask Him what truth you have been suppressing because it is too scary to face. God wants to bring spiritual sight into those areas so you can live an increasingly free life in His presence and His likeness.

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