IGNORANCE

One of the worst enemies of mankind is ignorance; a devastating force of great dimension, particularly when man is unwilling to learn.

Take the situation in the Christian world in general. Many denominations claim to be the true church, the elect, God’s organization on the earth; the only ones who have the whole truth, claiming to faithfully follow the teachings of Scripture. Almost every devoted member of such group, organization, church or denomination sincerely believes this and is ready to argue with anyone who disagrees with them. Our hearts are gladdened when we see men and women doing their best to live lives pleasing to God. Yet, this needs to be through a knowledge of and obedience to His Word. If men are diligent in this respect, why are there so many divisions and such a divergence of teaching and lack of respect for one another?

Those in high positions in the church are to a large degree responsible for this condition, also for the dissension, prejudice, intolerance and even hatred that is seen in the Christian world, because it is they who have so often sown seeds of discord and congregations have grown up in this atmosphere. Small wonder that the Apostle James should write on this subject saying, “My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”

These lamentable conditions are, for the most part, based on ignorance, fomented by fears, and fanned by emotionalism. Groups are suspicious of others, because they do not know each other; they are ignorant of the teaching of God’s Word in this area of Christian life. Had the teachings of Paul as found in 1 Cor. 12:13 and Eph. 4:1-6 been set forth and followed, such conditions would not prevail.

Ignorance has never yet settled any question; therefore, ignorance needs to be overthrown. Knowledge of God’s Word is the only cure. Yet we find it discouraging at times to discuss, explain, and exhort when, because of ignorance, he is indifferent, his attitude suspicious, and his mind, if not his heart, is hardened.

Such ignorance usually is learned, so perhaps he should not be condemned for it; it might be that he has been a willing tool in the hands of a clever man, and has been brainwashed by those he trusted in. He is convinced, and converted, and the result is his ignorance has become his armor, which no amount of logic or Bible truth can penetrate, unless God in His mercy unveils his eyes.

The Christian way to combat this kind of ignorance is with a constant presentation of truth, delivered lovingly, and positively, while at the same time commending them to God, “and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified.” A word to those who would be teachers: Study carefully and prayerfully. Acts 28:28-32. See also Proverbs 25:11.

The ignorance of others is not our personal problem, nor a justification for our shortcomings. It is our own ignorance that must be met and mastered first. Are we ignorant of Christian principles in our dealings with others? Do we recognize as brethren all who name the name of Christ? Is there pride, and a feeling of superiority—or any condescending attitude toward our brother’s ignorance? Do we display our knowledge in a puffed-up manner with the result that our words are not heard because of our attitude?

The true mark of a Christian’s knowledge must be seen. It will be reflected in his practice of love for his fellowman, and especially for those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). He will neither look up to one, nor down on another; partiality must not be shown (Jas. 2:2-4).

We should strive to know thoroughly what we believe, why we believe it and what the facts are, so that we are sufficiently confident of the rightness of our belief. We can then competently study what another believes, and why. Perhaps as we do so with an open mind we will see some shortcoming or ignorance of our own. As truths becomes more clear, we will begin to think more kindly, show more tolerance; prejudice will be broken down, replaced by understanding. To do this we need a willingness to learn, a. readiness to understand, and a heart full of love for God and others, for apart from love our knowledge will be as a ‘tinkling cymbal’.— 1 Corinthians 13 :1.

There are many different yardsticks for understanding, but none has surpassed the one given by the Master in Luke 6:31, “As you would that men should do unto you, do you also to them likewise.” If we would learn to put this rule into practice in our daily lives, partiality, jealousy, suspicion, prejudice, envy, hatred, (all components of ignorance) would never have the opportunity to stifle our better impulses, or becloud our mind. We would be strong and sure because the knowledge of good would have dispelled the mists of ignorance. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance” (1 Peter1:13, 14).

G. Boccaccio