When the blind lead the blind

“Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:14
This is a vivid picture that Jesus paints: a blind man leading another blind man. How can someone possibly lead someone else, if they themselves can’t see where to go? Yet that is what the Pharisees were doing in a spiritual sense, and unfortunately, it’s what many people are doing today, both inside and outside of the church.
Lately the talkback host on my local Christian radio station has been inviting some dubious guests on his show, in order to create discussion between one guest who holds fast to what the Bible says, and another who has a more liberal theology. It is plain to me that most of these people, despite saying they are Christians, or even having been ordained as ministers in their particular denomination, do not actually know the Lord. If they did, they would not be saying things like, ‘Jesus would support gay marriage,’ and ‘Well the Bible was written for those people who were less educated, but now we know better.’ For discerning Christians, it is easy to see that these people are at best, misguided, and at worst, wolves in sheep’s clothing. But my concern is for the many undiscerning Christians out there, listening to these people on Christian radio.
No wonder James wrote, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). And Jesus said, “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). To be able to lead someone in the things of God, you yourself must be able to see the way. Similarly, if you are following someone, make sure that you know they can see! Otherwise, you run the risk of falling into the same ditch that they are heading towards, blissfully unaware of.