My Answer

on Oct 20, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I heard a podcast declaring that in our digital world with people so focused on their devices that our society is becoming deaf to God’s voice. What does it mean to say that people are spiritually deaf? This is a very negative thought. Just as I find great comfort in meeting my friends after work for a drink that helps to relieve stress of daily burdens, so are spiritual thoughts that are found through social media. – S.D.

A: The Bible declares, “They have ears to hear, and hear not” (Ezekiel 12:2, KJV). When the human heart is closed to God’s Word, communication between man and God is broken – but it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a wonderful world of joy, light, harmony, peace, and satisfaction to which millions of people are blind and deaf, and even dead.

When a spacecraft returns from its orbital flight, there is a blackout period of about four minutes when all communications are broken. This is due to the intense heat generated by the spacecraft’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. The Bible teaches that man is in a period of spiritual blackout. Spiritually, man is blind. “We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noonday as at twilight; we are as dead men in desolate places” (Isaiah 59:10, NKJV). The Bible goes on to say that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and hope of the world (see 2 Corinthians 4:4).

Many give up the search and surrender to pessimism. Often their despondency leads to a frantic round of cocktail parties and happy hour where vast amounts of alcohol are imbibed, often leading to other activities that afterward bring regret and sorrow. All the while, God is speaking and beckoning – sending forth His message of love, but we must hear it and believe.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)