Lack of insight (Part 2)
If Harold’s affliction with anosognosia is fresh on your mind, it provides a metaphor for millions more. It characterizes people like George.
I encountered George when moving to San Antonio. He was one of the workers who unloaded our belongings from the moving van.
To the question "are you part of a faith community?," he casually replied "no." George then conceded that while he was no saint he was striving to live in good ways. To prove his point, he cited a few examples of what he would do.
His smile was easy. His clothes were that of a laborer. His words were confident, "Although I’m no saint, I’m OK with God." Our conversation revealed George was certain he was headed to heaven, although he had never relied on Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
Reality check: Without Christ’s atoning blood, George would stand before God accountable for all of his less-than-saintly behaviors.
George did not appear to be in denial. He gave no indication that he knew better but refused to accept the truth. Rather, like so many who suffer from "lack of insight," George appeared oblivious to his deep trouble. He felt no compulsion to learn about Christ nor draw close to him. George thought he was just fine.
Why? There are many possibilities. Perhaps he was too busy pursuing his interests to learn about God and his Son. Perhaps he was suspicious about organized religion. Perhaps he had imbibed some of the Kool-aid contributing to the belief science or other fields of study had disavowed the need to seriously investigate God and the scriptures. Whatever the source, the result was lack of insight about his spiritual condition.
Although anosognosia might be a medical term for millions of people who are unaware of their illness, it is also an appropriate term for those who feel secure without Christ. Like the story of Harold, those with spiritual anosognosia will often reject the great physician because "I am just fine."
Harold’s story is tragic. However, the lack of insight for those like George is even more tragic. This lack of insight will impact not only what is missed now, but also what happens after death.
- Lack of insight (Part 2) - 2024-12-18
- Lack of insight (Part 1) - 2024-12-11
- An undesirable result - 2024-11-20