Ignorance is NOT bliss

‘Ignorance is bliss’ is an often used proverb in the world. However, ignorance in reality is NOT bliss.

Ignorance of natural things can be hazardous at times. Like if you don’t know the effects of chloroform, you wouldn’t be alert and end up sniffing it and may lose consciousness therefore. Again its like thinking a large brown bear is as fun and nice as those that come in cartoons, while in reality such bears can be really aggressive if provoked the wrong away.

Ignorance in relationships with others is not good either. For instance not knowing about what the neighbors dislike and then you end up getting the police at your doorstep for playing your favorite music on the highest volume, thanks to the neighbors complaints. Or not knowing that certain words that you casually use in one culture is considered racially or politically offensive in another, this can get you in trouble with people of other cultures.

Ignorance of spiritual things is the worst type of ignorance. This ignorance especially is strong when there is ignorance of scriptures. I mean we know that the Bible is the inspired Word of God but what matters then is do we really know what its speaks about? To know what it speaks about, firstly you need to read it for yourself. Secondly, you need to pray and reflect on the scriptures, so that you can get the right understanding of the scriptures. Finally, you need to put the scriptures to practice in your walk with the Lord Jesus. I’ve read the Bible completely from the beginning to the end and when I connected the dots, I realized that it speaks of Christ all the way.

Jesus said to the Jews, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me” (John 5:39 and 46)

Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ (St. Jerome)

Your salvation is at stake when you don’t know the scriptures. You might feel that you are doing alright when in fact spiritually you are in deception.

If you trust yourself to walk in the light of your own conscience, uninstructed or little instructed by the Word of God, you will end up doing things that you are deeply and sincerely convinced are right. But they may be terribly hurtful and destructive within the Church. (Ray C. Stedman)

The Bible is one of the most widely read and published book in the world but many people are still ignorant. This is because they don’t really get what it means and there is a reason to this. The reason is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

You might wonder why there are some people who were once God-loving Christians, no longer believe in Christ. Some of them now believe that he doesn’t exist. Some other ex-Christians have departed from the faith and instead follow some other religion. I too had questions as to why people back away from Christianity all of a sudden, though later I realized that it’s not really all that sudden.

I got my answer in the following scriptures.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons

Matthew 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:11-13 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

The above scriptures show one thing, that the workers of deception will even lead astray some of those who have faith in Christ. So one thing that is necessary to avoid such deception is to be well versed with what the Bible says not just about such deceivers but also about the saving nature of Jesus. If you know how to live in true wisdom it will be very hard for anyone to deceive you.

Here are a few scriptures you can reflect on:

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Ephesians 3:3-5 How the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.