Those Terrible Blind Spots

I almost got hit a few weeks ago. A friend and I had been stripping woodwork in the dining room and ran out of supplies. So I drove downtown and parallel parked in front of the hardware store. I made my purchase, got in the car, and began to pull out of my parking space. I looked over my left shoulder, saw a car approaching, and waited. When he passed, I glanced into my mirror to make sure the street was clear and pulled out quickly.

Suddenly a car squealed to a stop and a horn blared. Alarmed, I looked to my left and with a shock, realized that I had almost been hit. I was confused and uncomprehending. Where had he come from? But as I shakily drove away, it dawned on me: He had been in my blind spot!
I have soberly reflected on that incident in the weeks since it happened. I have realized that the blind spot in my left rearview mirror is not the only one I have, nor is it the most dangerous. I am usually unaware of these other blind spots until I find myself in a near tragedy. Then when I ask myself how I got into this mess, I realize it sneaked up on me out a blind spot.

Blind spots are inconsistencies in our conscious thinking, inconsistencies that even intelligent people embrace. The parents who faithfully pray at each meal yet display negative, critical attitudes during the meal have a spiritual blind spot. The Christian man who would never attend an R-rated movie yet watches the same on his television at home has a moral blind spot. The young Christian lady who would not go to a dance but would let her boyfriend touch her inappropriately has a moral blind spot. The young Christian boy who is against outright lying but deceives his parents by telling half-truths has a moral blind spot.

I do not know what your blind spots are. I hardly know what mine are, and I am still discovering others as I go along. I do hope that this discovery will continue, slowly, one by one, lest I be overwhelmed; yet quickly enough that I do not find myself hopelessly entangled in a self-made dilemma. In the meantime, let’s protect ourselves with “the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11-17). Truth, righteousness, and faith which are part of the armor of God is more than enough to assure victory (1 John 5:4). Because the enemy will continue to secretly seek out and attack our blind spots (1 Peter 5:8), where we are protected the least, and, in some ways, be damaged the most.

Chris Cooper

Bible Lectureship

(March 17-20, 2024)

prayer study book

We would love to have you as our guest! 

Register below for the event, and we’ll also send you a prayer e-devotional. Our gift to you.