Luke 22:31-37 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you (plural) like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Blind Spots – “An area in the lives of people in which they continually do not see themselves or their situations realistically. This unawareness can cause great damage to themselves and the people around them if unaddressed.” Some observations about “Blind Spots” 1. PEOPLE HAVE BLIND SPOTS 2. FEW PEOPLE THEIR BLIND SPOTS 3. MANY PEOPLE CAN BE BY OUR BLIND SPOTS. Common relational blindspots: 1. A PERSPECTIVE: “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” – Larry Stephens 2. : “Nothing is a greater impediment to being on good terms with others than being ill at ease with yourself.” – French novelist Honere de Balzar 3. PEOPLE 4. : “Pride is concerned about who’s right. Humility is concerned about what’s right.” – Ezra Taft Benton 5. A LACK OF 6. LIVING IN YOUR ZONE, INSTEAD OF YOUR ZONE. Matthew 7:3-5 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Proverbs 12:15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. John 9:35-41 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see. COMMON SPIRITUAL BLINDSPOTS: 1. I CAN’T SEE GOD FOR WHO HE REALLY IS: ”Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 2. I CAN’T SEE MYSELF HOW GOD SEES ME Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” 3. I CAN’T SEE OTHERS HOW GOD SEES THEM: When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man Jesus’ actions communicated that this blind man mattered.