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  1 JOHN 2:11
  by John Gill
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Summary: Walking in darkness leads to a state of ignorance, sin, and
infidelity that blinds one's eyes and leads to a path of destruction.

Topics: "Spiritual Blindness", "Hatred and Darkness"
Scripture References: 1 John 2:9

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DESCRIPTION
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John Gill emphasizes the spiritual peril of hatred towards others,
explaining that those who harbor such feelings are enveloped in darkness
and are unaware of their spiritual blindness. He illustrates how this
darkness leads to a lack of discernment between good and evil, causing
individuals to stumble through life without recognizing the dangers that
lie ahead. Gill warns that this state of ignorance is a result of sin
and the influence of Satan, which blinds the heart and mind, preventing
one from understanding the path to peace and salvation through Christ.

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CONTENT
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Ver. 11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness,.... As is before
expressed in 1Jo 2:9, to which is added,

and walketh in darkness; he goes on in it, and takes delight in it, as
dangerous and uncomfortable as it is:

and knoweth not whither he goeth; he cannot discern between good and
evil; he puts darkness for light, and light for darkness; he sees not
what is before him, nor what stumblingblocks lie in the way; he is not
aware of the snares, pits, and traps he is in danger of falling into;
nor does he know and consider what these paths of darkness, of sin, and
ignorance, and infidelity, lead unto, even unto utter darkness, where is
weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth: and the reason is,

because that darkness hath blinded his eyes; either Satan, the god of
this world, who blinds the minds of them that believe not, and who is
darkness itself, and the cause of darkness in himself and in others, and
one of whose names this was with the Jews {e};

See Gill on "Lu 22:53"; or that natural darkness which sin has brought
upon the understanding, and has blinded the eyes of it, called the
blindness of the heart, Eph 4:18, so that a man under the power of it is
ignorant of himself, and knows not that he is blind and miserable; is a
stranger to the way of peace, and life by Christ, and knows not what he
is about, and where he is, or whither he is going, and what his end will
be.

{e} Yalkut Simconi, par. 2. fol. 44. 4.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-gill/1-john-211/
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