Understanding “Claiming to Be Wise, They Became Fools” and the Dangers of Ignorance
What Does Romans 1:22 Mean?
Romans 1:22 says, “Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” In simple terms, this verse means that when people think they’re smart because they trust their own ideas instead of God’s truth, they actually end up making foolish choices. The Apostle Paul wrote this to show that pride in our own understanding—without God—leads us away from real wisdom and towards mistakes and problems.
The Bigger Picture: Why Does Paul Say This?
This verse comes after Romans 1:21, which explains that people knew about God, but refused to honor Him. Instead of following what is right, they became proud of their own opinions. Paul is warning that ignoring God’s truth and relying only on human thinking makes our minds empty and leads us away from righteousness.
Consequences of Ignoring God’s Wisdom
Paul goes on to describe what happens when people reject God: their lives spiral downward into more and more sin. God allows them to go their own way, which leads to selfishness, dishonesty, and all sorts of wrong behavior. In other words, when we push God out of our lives, we become blind to what’s truly good and end up hurting ourselves and others.
Ignorance in the Bible: More Than Just Not Knowing
Ignorance isn’t just about not knowing something. Sometimes it’s accidental—we don’t realize there’s something important to learn. Other times, it’s intentional: we choose not to learn or accept the truth. The Bible says that God used to overlook ignorance, but now He asks everyone to turn away from it and repent (change their hearts and ways).
· Repentance is key: God wants all people to admit their mistakes and seek Him.
· Doing good helps overcome ignorance: Living rightly can “silence” those who are foolish or uninformed.
· Some ignorance is willful: When people purposely ignore what’s true, it’s sinful and leads to destruction.
How Does Ignorance Affect Us?
Hardening our hearts—refusing to listen or learn—can separate us from God. The Bible says people are “destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). If we reject what God wants us to know, that’s not just ignorance; it’s dangerous, because it can lead us away from God forever.
Ignorance vs. Innocence
The Bible makes it clear: we can know about sin but not practice it. We’re supposed to stay innocent of evil, even if we’re aware that it exists. Jesus told His followers to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” meaning we should understand the world’s dangers but not take part in them.
Why Is Spiritual Ignorance So Serious?
Spiritual ignorance is especially risky. If we don’t know how the enemy (Satan) works, we’re easy targets for his tricks. The Bible warns that Satan tries to keep people blind to the truth so they won’t see how good Jesus is. That’s why it’s so important to be aware, to forgive, and to grow in understanding—so we don’t fall for lies or get trapped by bitterness.
Idolatry and Ignorance
Worshiping false gods or putting anything above God is called idolatry, and the Bible says this comes from spiritual ignorance. The evidence for God is all around us, so ignoring Him and choosing something else is not just a mistake—it’s sinful ignorance.
God’s Patience and Mercy
Even so, God is patient with those who are ignorant and going astray. The Bible tells us that Jesus, our High Priest, deals gently with the ignorant. God gives us many chances to learn and turn back to Him. Paul himself received mercy because he had acted in ignorance before he met Jesus.
Choosing Wisdom Over Ignorance
God commands us to seek Him and trade ignorance for wisdom. Wisdom is available to anyone who wants it—God invites us to listen, learn, and grow. Every time the Bible says to “hear” or “listen,” it’s an opportunity to become wiser and avoid the dangers of ignorance.
In Summary
Romans 1:22 is a warning: Don’t be too proud of your own ideas and forget God’s truth. Ignorance isn’t just about not knowing; it’s about choosing not to know what’s important. God offers us wisdom, and He’s patient with us, but He expects us to turn away from ignorance and seek what’s right. True wisdom comes from God, and when we listen to Him, we avoid becoming fools and find a life that’s good and fulfilling.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 