Was the formerly blind man correct in John 9?

Question:

Hello,

How are you? Well, I hope. I have a question and this was the only way I knew how to contact you.

I was in a discussion earlier today with a man on the topic of the sinner’s prayer. I quoted John 9:31 to the man and his response was “that blind man who was healed wasn’t inspired.” Then I went further and said to him, “No, but the man who wrote it, John, was.” Then he came back with Satan’s lies are quoted in the Bible, such as when he deceived Eve.” I know they are totally different instances and circumstances. We continued the discussion and I quoted other scripture, but how do you go about dealing with a man's questions in a simpler way?

Thank you.

Answer:

Nothing in the account of formerly bind man in John 9 indicates that he was being inspired by God, even though the man clearly saw more about the workings of God than the Jewish leaders of his time. However, who said you had to be inspired in order to be right?

First, see Does God hear the prayers of those who are not yet saved? A distinction needs to be made between someone who sins occasionally but is trying to be righteous versus someone who makes no attempt to be righteous.

Second, realize that the man's statement in John 9:31 is a good summary of what God taught in the Old Testament:

"There they cry out, but He does not answer because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to an empty cry, nor will the Almighty regard it" (Job 35:12-13).

"They cried for help, but there was none to save, even to the LORD, but He did not answer them" (Psalms 18:41).

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalms 34:15-17).

"If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Psalms 66:18).

"The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29).

"He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination" (Proverbs 28:9).

"So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood" (Isaiah 1:15).

"Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds" (Micah 3:4).

The man's words were not a quote from the Old Testament, but they are an accurate summary of what God said.

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