Ignorance of Mankind Goes Against God's Will
Our ignorance is costly. Many say “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”, but God
says “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a) and the rest of that
verse says “because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you
shall be no priest to Me, seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also
forget your children”.
Just like God told Joshua “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth,
but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do
according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make your way
prosperous and then you shall have good success”. The book of the law is our
Bible, and it was written for us to live a victorious life (Romans 15:4) says “for
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”.
God wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers (III John 2).
It is our responsibility to let our soul prosper, our soul is our mind, will and
emotions.
We are told to renew our mind to the word of God in Romans 12:1-2; which says “I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. And be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and
perfect, will of God”. And in Ephesians 4:17-18 it says “this I say therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that you hereafter walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity
of their mind. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of
God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart”.
We are also told to study (II Timothy 2:15-16) “study to show yourself approved to
God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase to more ungodliness”.
If we can rightly divide the word of truth, that means we can also wrongly divide
the word of truth. To avoid this, we must not read only one verse, but be sure to
take the verse in context, to get the real meaning. And remember we can ask
God for wisdom, if we lack understanding.
We read in the Bible that God has made a way for us to escape temptations (I
Corinthians 10:13) which says “there has no temptation take you but such as is
common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you
may be able to bear it”. The Bible is the source of escape. But we have to search
out the solutions ourselves. The Bible has the solution to every problem. Jesus
as our example shows us how to defeat the devil (Matthew 4:1-13). He answered
the devil every time with “it is written”, then quoted the word of God which
contradicted what the devil was trying to tempt Him with. Jesus got His answers
from the word of God, and we as followers of Jesus as dear children, must do the
same.
It is to our benefit to know the will of God (I John 5:14-15) “and this is the
confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He
hears us. And if we know hat He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petition that we desired of Him”. Faith begins where the will of God is
known.
Many people are blaming God for letting things happen to them, when in reality
God has given us the Bible to give us a way to escape all problems. The problem
is many people don’t even read the Bible to find their way out. The Bible is our
manual for living in this world; we have to read it to see what it says about a
situation and then reply accordingly.
Our ignorance affects our relationship with God. Many people blame God for
what happened to Job; but after Job complained over and over; the Lord Yahweh
answered Job from the whirlwind; “who is this that questions my wisdom with such
ignorant words”? (Job 38:1-2), read Job 38:1-41:34 God questions Job
concerning Job’s ignorance of the earth’s natural order and the workings of God’s
physical creation. There is no standard higher than God Himself by which to
judge. Our only option is to submit to His authority and rest in His care.
Ignorance of God’s word will lead to trouble. Malachi was angry at the priests
because, though they were to be God’s messengers, they did not know God’s will,
and this lack of knowledge caused them to lead God’s people astray (Malachi 2:7-
8) “the priests’ lips should guard knowledge, and people should go to them for
instruction, for the priests are the messengers of the Lord Yahweh Almighty. But
not you! You have left God’s paths. Your guidance has caused many to stumble
into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites, says the Lord
Almighty”.
Paul tells a good way to avoid being misled, speaking of the Bereans (Acts 17:11-
12) “these were more noble then those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things were so. Therefore many of them believed, also of honorable women which
were Greeks, and of men, not a few”.
Paul takes time to show us things we should not be ignorant of; the fact that every
one needs Jesus (Romans 10:1-4) “brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God
for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a
zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not
submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the ed of the law
for righteousness to every one that believes”. Many people today are trying to
get to God through their own righteousness; but Jesus says “I am the way, the
truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).
We are not to be ignorant of the devil’s devices (II Corinthians 2:11), or the wiles
of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18) “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to you the
whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith
you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watch thereto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints”.
Again you see that the Bible tells us that we can quench all the fiery darts of the
devil. The key is reading and studying the Bible, the devil knows this, and that is
why he tells you, you don’t have to read the Bible, or that you are being a legalist
when you read the Bible on a regular basic. You don’t read and study the Bible to
be saved, you should read it so that you can have the answers for the devil when
he comes. Remember (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) says “I call heaven and earth to
record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing
and cursing, therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live. That
you may love the Lord Yahweh your God, and that you may obey His voice, and
that you may cling to Him, for He is your life, and the length of your days, that you
may dwell in the land which the Lord Yahweh swear to your fathers, to Abraham,
to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them”.
God has made a covenant with us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ; and we
have to know what our covenant rights are. Let’s not be ignorant, but lets us be a
doer of the word of God.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 26, 2010
Our ignorance is costly. Many say “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”, but God
says “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a) and the rest of that
verse says “because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you
shall be no priest to Me, seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also
forget your children”.
Just like God told Joshua “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth,
but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do
according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make your way
prosperous and then you shall have good success”. The book of the law is our
Bible, and it was written for us to live a victorious life (Romans 15:4) says “for
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”.
God wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers (III John 2).
It is our responsibility to let our soul prosper, our soul is our mind, will and
emotions.
We are told to renew our mind to the word of God in Romans 12:1-2; which says “I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. And be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and
perfect, will of God”. And in Ephesians 4:17-18 it says “this I say therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that you hereafter walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity
of their mind. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of
God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart”.
We are also told to study (II Timothy 2:15-16) “study to show yourself approved to
God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase to more ungodliness”.
If we can rightly divide the word of truth, that means we can also wrongly divide
the word of truth. To avoid this, we must not read only one verse, but be sure to
take the verse in context, to get the real meaning. And remember we can ask
God for wisdom, if we lack understanding.
We read in the Bible that God has made a way for us to escape temptations (I
Corinthians 10:13) which says “there has no temptation take you but such as is
common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you
may be able to bear it”. The Bible is the source of escape. But we have to search
out the solutions ourselves. The Bible has the solution to every problem. Jesus
as our example shows us how to defeat the devil (Matthew 4:1-13). He answered
the devil every time with “it is written”, then quoted the word of God which
contradicted what the devil was trying to tempt Him with. Jesus got His answers
from the word of God, and we as followers of Jesus as dear children, must do the
same.
It is to our benefit to know the will of God (I John 5:14-15) “and this is the
confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He
hears us. And if we know hat He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petition that we desired of Him”. Faith begins where the will of God is
known.
Many people are blaming God for letting things happen to them, when in reality
God has given us the Bible to give us a way to escape all problems. The problem
is many people don’t even read the Bible to find their way out. The Bible is our
manual for living in this world; we have to read it to see what it says about a
situation and then reply accordingly.
Our ignorance affects our relationship with God. Many people blame God for
what happened to Job; but after Job complained over and over; the Lord Yahweh
answered Job from the whirlwind; “who is this that questions my wisdom with such
ignorant words”? (Job 38:1-2), read Job 38:1-41:34 God questions Job
concerning Job’s ignorance of the earth’s natural order and the workings of God’s
physical creation. There is no standard higher than God Himself by which to
judge. Our only option is to submit to His authority and rest in His care.
Ignorance of God’s word will lead to trouble. Malachi was angry at the priests
because, though they were to be God’s messengers, they did not know God’s will,
and this lack of knowledge caused them to lead God’s people astray (Malachi 2:7-
8) “the priests’ lips should guard knowledge, and people should go to them for
instruction, for the priests are the messengers of the Lord Yahweh Almighty. But
not you! You have left God’s paths. Your guidance has caused many to stumble
into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites, says the Lord
Almighty”.
Paul tells a good way to avoid being misled, speaking of the Bereans (Acts 17:11-
12) “these were more noble then those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things were so. Therefore many of them believed, also of honorable women which
were Greeks, and of men, not a few”.
Paul takes time to show us things we should not be ignorant of; the fact that every
one needs Jesus (Romans 10:1-4) “brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God
for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a
zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not
submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the ed of the law
for righteousness to every one that believes”. Many people today are trying to
get to God through their own righteousness; but Jesus says “I am the way, the
truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).
We are not to be ignorant of the devil’s devices (II Corinthians 2:11), or the wiles
of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18) “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to you the
whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith
you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watch thereto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints”.
Again you see that the Bible tells us that we can quench all the fiery darts of the
devil. The key is reading and studying the Bible, the devil knows this, and that is
why he tells you, you don’t have to read the Bible, or that you are being a legalist
when you read the Bible on a regular basic. You don’t read and study the Bible to
be saved, you should read it so that you can have the answers for the devil when
he comes. Remember (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) says “I call heaven and earth to
record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing
and cursing, therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live. That
you may love the Lord Yahweh your God, and that you may obey His voice, and
that you may cling to Him, for He is your life, and the length of your days, that you
may dwell in the land which the Lord Yahweh swear to your fathers, to Abraham,
to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them”.
God has made a covenant with us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ; and we
have to know what our covenant rights are. Let’s not be ignorant, but lets us be a
doer of the word of God.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 26, 2010
