God's Perspective of Man's Ignorance
There is a common theme I am hearing from pulpits and platforms of generals in the faith across the globe and it comes right from Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Recurring messages get my attention fast. It is a caution sign for me to seek The Lord about what He is saying in a particular season as it relates to His people and as I prayed, the resounding download is, “Ignorance is not bliss, it’s dangerous.” So, I hopped right into the Bible to see what God’s perspective is on the ignorance of man and how He addresses it in the scripture.
It is an irrefutable fact that God – the creator of all mankind — is concerned with both our physical and spiritual well-being. The truth of the matter is that God's concerns with man have been consistent since the beginning of time. He has always exhausted significant effort to ensure we remain informed and knowledgeable, never left in ignorance or darkness (2 Corinthians 2:11). And yet, our fallen world is one characterized by its lack of edification on eternal matters — where Scripture, doctrine, theology and even history are not known among many who call themselves believers.
The Bible has much to teach us, but unfortunately, too often we are ignorant of its path. We ignore God’s commands, leading us away from a fulfilled and meaningful life. As people, we always want to know if God understands us, do our leaders understand us, do our families understand us, do the brethren understand us. Today, I challenge that and ask, “do you understand God’s perspective?” I am reminded of Proverbs 4, which is all about getting wisdom at any cost, verse 7 states, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and in all your getting, get understanding." There are many things’ people want to get in this world -- the bag, the tea, the juice, the lemonade, the money, the man, the woman, the giftings, the anointing, the house, the business, the book, the money, the ministry, the glamour, the “high” life, the success… and yet will not pause to ask for an understanding of any of those asks in terms of properly stewarding over them once obtained.
In this post, we explore how God views man's ignorance and why understanding His wisdom is imperative to living a full and satisfying life. I emphasize that wanting these things are not wrong or necessarily bad but idolizing anything without God first is idolization. And now we get to ignorance not simply being a mind issue, but a heart issue. If you are reading this article, I encourage you to take some time to ask Holy Spirit, what have you made your first love before the Father and repent as it is brought into your remembrance. And here is the good news, armed with Biblical wisdom it is possible to bridge the gap between human foolishness and divine instruction.
Ignorance is defined as the “lack of knowledge, information or understanding.” It can lead to wrong decisions, misunderstandings, and negative consequences. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” which serves to remind us that gaining wisdom and knowledge has its roots in recognizing who we owe our existence to. However, humans can become stubborn when it comes to learning from God and He expresses His undeniable displeasure in Hosea 4:6 which reads, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Side note: this sounds like a frustrated parent/teacher if I have ever heard one.) This verse translates into actionable advice for all those seeking guidance - your journey towards acquiring true understanding will be fruitless without first acknowledging God as the one and only sovereign source He is.
God desires us to seek wisdom and knowledge so we can grow closer to Him and live according to His will. His will is so much better than our way, EVERY SINGLE TIME! The statement “ignorance is bliss” is not one that should be adopted by the believer. Here is why. Ignoring the wisdom and knowledge of God can lead to various consequences such as destruction, exile, hunger, and thirst (Isaiah 5:13). It can also lead to being despised by others (Proverbs 19:2) and being mocked by God (Proverbs 1:26). In Romans 1:22, ignorance is even described as being a form of foolishness.
In contrast to ignorance, wisdom and knowledge are highly valued in the Bible. Proverbs 18:15 states "The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 also says that God will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning, but to those who are called, Christ is the wisdom of God. And now we see the source of wisdom is our knowledge and acceptance of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. The equation becomes much simpler for the believer and a little more complex for the non-believer. It is easy to believe in a ‘God’, just any god. The reality is that people reject belief in the Messiah. We know there is no way to the Father except through His Son (John 14:6). I highlight this to warn against watering down your confession because it makes other people uncomfortable. Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’ (Matthew 5:37) as it relates to your belief in Christ.
If you find yourself lacking wisdom or understanding in any area of your life and in particular your spiritual development, here are five (5) practical steps you can take right where you are for the understanding you need:
1. Read the Bible Regularly
Reading the Bible on a regular basis is essential to gaining wisdom and knowledge. It allows us to learn about God's character, His plan for humanity, and how we should live our lives.
2. Meditate on God's Word
Meditating on God's Word involves reflecting on what we have read and how it applies to our lives. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's wisdom and apply it to our daily decisions.
3. Seek Wise Counsel
Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." Seeking counsel from wise individuals, such as pastors or Christian mentors, can provide us with valuable insight and guidance.
4. Pray for Wisdom
James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." Praying for wisdom is a powerful tool that can help us gain understanding and make wise decisions.
5. Apply What You Learn
Lastly, it is important to apply what we learn from the Bible in our daily lives. James 1:22-25 warns against being hearers of the Word but not doers, as it can lead to self-deception. By applying the wisdom and knowledge we gain from the Bible, we can avoid the consequences of ignorance and live according to God's will.
B.O.L.D. Believer, if you are unsatisfied with the way life is going it does not have to be that way! As Christians, it is important to seek wisdom and knowledge from God's Word so that we can live the “life and that more abundantly” (John 10:10) according to His perfect will and plan for us. His wisdom and knowledge help us avoid the pitfalls of ignorance.
By being intentional and diligent in studying God’s Word, we arm ourselves against spiritual oblivion. Challenge yourself today to make a conscious effort toward acquiring knowledge from above so that you may become better stewards of His grace on earth.
I leave you with several verses you can study and pray over in you alone time with God as it relates to how He addresses this topic.
In His Love & Boldness,
❤️ Teacher Nina
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