THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF IGNORANCE

There are 2 types of ignorance in the world.

Natural ignorance and self imposed ignorance

Ignorance = A lack of knowledge or understanding.

We are all born with natural ignorance, the slate is clean, all we have are God given natural instincts which with the protection from our parents keep us alive until we can learn to fend for ourselves. How do we do that, by gathering knowledge and understanding about the world we live in and how we fit into that world.

It is no mistake that we are born this way. WHY?

If we had a genetic knowledge or understanding passed on to us by our parents we would be born ‘out of date’, we would be entering a world with knowledge of a time that ‘was’. We would also be reliant on our parents having the knowledge in the first place, and it being correct. By default we are born ignorant so we can make our own mind up. Technology and our environment is changing daily, and the skills we need to exist in a certain age is also changing. So it would be pointless to be born with, out of date intelligence or information preparing us for a world which had already changed. The saying a little knowledge is dangerous is just right for this scenario. A child with the mental ability but not the physical strength would soon get hurt, or worse.

God has made us this way for a reason, it is the best way for us as a species, because it protects us as a child and helps our mind grow and personality grow in the environment we live in. Animals are different, if you notice within hours of a horse being born it is up and running. It has to, to survive. We do not. Could you imagine what it would be like for the mother or father to have a newborn with the ability to walk and talk. It wouldn’t be safe for the child, and would be a nightmare for the parents.

BUT this ‘natural ignorance’ is temporary. As we grow we need new skills to live, to move, to think to fit into the world around us and survive. We learn these skills from our parents and from experience. Having done something once we break one of the small links in the chain called ignorance. What we do with that link is what defines us as a human being. We can change that ignorance into intelligence or put it back having decided to ignore that chance to learn.

If you see the words highlighted begin with ‘i’ ignorance, intelligence and ignore, so if you remember nothing else from this message remember this, because these are all words which are controlled solely by you, the ‘I’ is me and you.

I am ignorant ( Ignorance – a lack of knowledge, understanding or experience) and I have the ability to change my ignorance into intelligence (intelligence – understanding ) or I can choose to ignore (ignore – refuse to notice or accept) it, and remain in ignorance. I, not any one else must take the responsibility for the choice I make. This is another reason why we are not born with any genetically inherited intelligence because it has to be our decision, based on our ability to understand and God’s revelation to us. Who is to say our parents made the right decision.  

So what has this to do with our Christian life. Well, as with all life, our home life, work life or Christian life, we must grow so we can add abilities and knowledge to our personal resources, which can then be called on to help us through new, difficult or life threatening times.

God does not want us to be ignorant, our ability as a Christian is made better by our understanding of our God. We do not worship in a false religion that keeps the congregation in a state of ignorance where only the elect are party to the truth. The Gospel is for all, we are all equal.

Romans 11:25  For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

When we do not understand we have a tendency to fill in the gaps with our own thinking. We become self important because we feel we have the truth. Israel missed Jesus because they didn’t understand the simplicity of Christ. The religious leaders had built up a wall of pomp and ceremony around themselves which was not of God, because of this they looked for a KING and not a CARPENTER.

This is a weakness which God does not want us to have. Satan preys on our weakness and our lack of knowledge concerning heavenly things.

Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

2 Corinthians 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

In John we are told one of the reasons Jesus came among man.

John 10:10  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The word ‘life’ in this verse has the following meaning - life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

How can anyone have this life that Jesus wants us to have. Like a child we have to learn, to copy, to understand and then put that understanding into practice in OUR own life. We have to change our life physically and spiritually through understanding to create as it were a totally new person, based on a totally different understanding of life. Forgetting our old understanding or old life and moving into a new direction.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 Hell will be full of Godly people who didn’t understand, many will stand before the judgement seat of God, and say ‘but lord I didn’t realise, I didn’t understand’. But how much effort did they put into understanding. We go through school to learn how to live in this world, to understand what is expected of us. Throughout adulthood we strive to better ourselves so we can live comfortably, healthily all this for an average of 70 to 80 years. How much more should we be learning about God and the heavenly life we will have, not for 80 years but for EVER.

God sees our heart and whether we desire to understand. He knows our ability to understand and will not go beyond that ability. When Jesus spoke to people he did not go out of his way to confound and baffle them, but spoke to them in a way which enabled them to understand or make that choice, whether to listen and accept or ignore.

In John 10 Jesus spoke to some Pharisees using an illustration, but they failed understand. Did Jesus give up, call them stupid and walk away. No he changed the illustration in to something which they could relate to, something which was well within their ability to understand, because He wanted them to know, to understand and saw that some of them desired to know.

John 9: 39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Here in John Jesus was explaining that He was the way to salvation and was prepared to lay down His life for them but they didn’t understand. Their lack of knowledge or more importantly understanding of their scriptures meant they did not recognise who He was and what He was saying. They looked on Him as a carpenter who was putting them down.

John 10:6  Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Jesus did not speak above their ability but because they rejected him and the notion that they could learn from him. Remember Romans earlier;

Romans 11:25  For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

The Pharisees were wise in their own wisdom, a wisdom or knowledge which was not based on intellectual understanding but ignorant understanding.

John 10:19  Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

20  And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?"

21  Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

Some saw but didn’t see, they heard but didn’t listen. It takes a certain amount of effort to learn, a conscious decision to humble yourself and admit someone might know more than you. 

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Some people think that you can go through life blissfully ignorant and without responsibility, this is nonsense. God is training us all for our part in the Body of Christ. There is no mention in the Bible of a part of that body being a hanger on or just there without function.

 Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;…

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Being a Christian is not a passive role, we do not lock ourselves away in retreats for the rest of our lives, communing with God while the world crumbles outside. We were called for a purpose and to make a difference.

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This is all well and good and no doubt we have all heard it before but how does this relate to ignorance and a life with Christ? Knowledge is not the way, I am not advocating degrees for anyone entering the Church or weekly tests to quantify your ability to learn. Remember, ignorance is a lack of understanding. You can’t be what God wants you to be if you do not understand the basics of Christ’s teachings, and you can not make a change in the world unless you understand the hope that is in the Gospel and the power that is in the Word.

All we need to know and understand is in the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God after all. I heard a definition of the word Bible, which was Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. However the Word goes much further than basic instructions, it is the manifest knowledge of God for man, a life line back to perfection. The Bible is the written Word of God while Jesus was the physical manifestation of God’s Word. The Bible brought to life through God’s will.

If we are to be salt or a light in the world, we must understand and grow in God to be able to move closer to the ideal that is the life of Christ. We can never achieve true perfection whilst on earth, but God doesn’t ask for that. He doesn’t ask for something which we can’t achieve or is above our ability. He just asks for obedience and to have faith in Him. How do we get faith, easy, by reading the Word and understanding it.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God will help you understand because He doesn’t want you to be ignorant of what lies in store for you or what you can achieve through Him. If you read and find it hard ask for help from God or someone you know understands. Start on the chapters you can understand, get the Basics before embarking on the deep.

1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If you look at the above verses they all describe understanding and learning like a baby first starting out on milk, something which it can easily digest but is nutritious and sets the basis for future growth. As it grows its needs change and the body requires more proteins and vitamins, which milk can not give.

And here we have the truth about ignorance. You can’t stay on milk all your life, you wouldn’t make it to your teens on that diet. In your Christian life you must strive to better yourself and understand the things of God, as you search so God will open the Scriptures up to you, and you will grow spiritually stronger and wiser, able to take on more responsibility and be an effective Son or Daughter of God.

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

If you choose to stay on milk you choose to ignore God and to live in ignorance. In the law there is a saying, ‘ignorance is no defence’. All our actions have consequences, some more than others. We all have enough common sense to search for the truth if we want, but it is always easier to make excuses in the end for not doing something at the beginning.

Christians will stand before God and give such an excuse when God asks why didn’t you help this person or why didn’t you explain the gospel to someone else. They will say I didn’t understand it myself, I didn’t know, no one ever explained it to me. Will God be lenient and say OK I must have overlooked you, I know you’ve been going to church although I haven’t been able to use you, I take full responsibility. NO He won’t. We all must take responsibility for our own decisions or lack of them.

I am ignorant and I have the ability to change my ignorance into intelligence (intelligence – understanding) or I can choose to ignore (ignore – refuse to notice or accept) it, and remain in ignorance ( Ignorance – a lack of knowledge, understanding or experience). I, not any one else must take the responsibility for the choice I make.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Do you understand this verse, if not ask yourself why and then go and find the answer.