Now is the Time to Get Rid of Ignorance
No one likes to think that they are ignorant. Plenty of time and effort is invested across all sectors of society to help make sure that lives are not lived in ignorance. Despite all efforts to stop it, ignorance remains ever present and it seems that it will always continue to exist in some form or degree.
According to Ephesians 4:18, ignorance darkens understanding and brings separation from God. Ignorant people can make foolish accusations (I Peter 2:15) and ignorant conversations cause arguments and fights (2 Timothy 2:23). If you have ever wondered why it is so difficult to reason with or make progress with a person who is ignorant, God’s Word provides an answer for you. Ignorance limits a person’s ability to see, hear, and understand.
Some people can choose to be ignorant. Others may be unaware that they are ignorant. Ignorance often has nothing to do with a person’s level of intelligence or mental capacity. There are many people who appear highly intelligent but who also can demonstrate ignorance. There are some, like Saul of Tarsus, who do things that seem right to them with great zeal – but who act in ignorance. As a matter of fact, we all have been or will be ignorant to some degree or at some point. What’s most important is that we can and should seize opportunities to not just get rid of ignorance in our lives but also in the lives of those around us. Just as there are responsibilities for us in the natural realm, there are even greater responsibilities for us in the spiritual realm.
At certain times and in certain situations we are going to be unavoidably ignorant. No person knows everything about everything all of the time. But, if we are ignorant, we must be determined not to remain ignorant concerning the things that pertain to the kingdom and eternal life. For believers, ignorance is simply not an option. Why not? Because it is costly and it can be detrimental. Hosea 4:6 says,
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
In this verse, we can see the results of a lack of knowledge, rejecting knowledge, and forgetting God. We must careful to receive from Him and not reject. There are no shortages of opportunities with God – not ever. But there are definitely choices to be made concerning Him and consequences for choices.
Not only must we be aware of ignorance, but we must accept responsibility to do what we can to not allow it to remain in us or around us. This does not mean that we should condemn others for their ignorance. It does mean that we can allow God to use us as a light in the darkness. It means that we can take the opportunity to be our brother’s keeper or our sister’s keeper. It means that we can be willing to make up the hedge and stand in the gap for others. Recognize ignorance. Repent of it. Receive all that you can from God in order to destroy it in your life.