Why Knowledge Matters and Ignorance Isn’t Always Bliss
When you hear the word “ignorance,” you might just think of someone not knowing certain facts. In the Bible, though, ignorance is a much bigger deal—it’s described as a state that brings real consequences, both spiritually and in life.
Ignorance as a Path to Destruction
The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat it: not knowing important truths can lead to trouble. Take the prophet Hosea, for example. He says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you” (Hosea 4:6). In other words, turning away from learning and truth can end up hurting us deeply. We can end up making bad choices, drifting from God, and facing tough consequences.
The New Testament says something similar. In Ephesians 4:18, it talks about people who are “darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them.” This means that not knowing God or His ways keeps people in the dark, cut off from the good things God wants for us.
Is Ignorance Always Wrong?
Here’s where it gets interesting: the Bible makes a distinction between different kinds of ignorance. If someone honestly doesn’t know the truth, and it’s not because they’re just ignoring it or being careless, God is merciful. Acts 17:30 says that in the past, God “overlooked” people’s times of ignorance but now asks everyone to turn toward Him.
A great example is when Jesus was on the cross. He prayed for the people hurting Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Their ignorance wasn’t willful—they really didn’t understand what was happening. In cases like this, God is compassionate.
But if someone chooses not to know—if they turn away from the truth on purpose—that’s a different story. The Bible is clear: willful ignorance isn’t excused. It’s a choice to reject what God is trying to show us.
The Call to Seek Knowledge and Wisdom
So, what’s the takeaway? The Bible encourages everyone to pursue understanding and wisdom. Proverbs 19:2 says, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” This is a down-to-earth warning: acting without knowledge leads to mistakes.
God wants people to know Him, to understand His law and His love. Rejecting this knowledge isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a serious misstep.
· Knowledge protects us. The more we know about God and His ways, the better prepared we are for life’s challenges.
· Ignorance is sometimes forgivable, but not when it’s on purpose. If we have the chance to learn and choose not to, the consequences are on us.
· We’re encouraged to keep learning. The Bible paints the pursuit of wisdom as a lifelong journey that brings us closer to God and helps us live well.
In short, the Bible teaches that ignorance isn’t bliss—it’s risky. But God doesn’t expect us to know everything overnight. As long as we’re open to learning and willing to seek truth, we’re on the right path.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 