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Practices that Harm the Lord’s Church – Biblical Ignorance by Willie A. Alvarenga

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Another dangerous practice that, throughout the centuries, has seriously harmed the Lord’s church is Biblical ignorance. This has been a serious problem since ancient times and continues to be a threat today. A careful reading of the Old Testament shows how God’s people, on many occasions, opened the door to ignorance of His will, with devastating consequences.

For example, in Isaiah 5:13, the prophet wrote: “Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge…” This passage clearly shows that a lack of Biblical knowledge leads to spiritual captivity. Likewise, the prophet Hosea warned about the terrible consequences of ignoring God’s Word: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). Ignorance is not merely a weakness; it is a dangerous condition that can lead to spiritual destruction.

The Bible also teaches that God desires His people to grow in knowledge. In Proverbs 1:7 we read that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” while Proverbs 2:1–6 exhorts us to seek wisdom as a treasure. The prophet Jeremiah also lamented that the people did not know God (Jeremiah 9:3–6), showing that spiritual ignorance reflects a separation from Him.

Now then, in what ways can God’s people fall into this ignorance?
(1) By being negligent in growing in the knowledge of the Word (2 Peter 3:18),
(2) By not allowing the Word of Christ to dwell richly in the heart (Colossians 3:16),
(3) By failing to practice what is learned (James 1:22–25),
(4) By neglecting the regular reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13),
(5) By not teaching the Word of God correctly (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 4:11),
(6) By not storing the Word in the heart (Psalm 119:11),
(7) By failing to obey God’s commands (John 14:15),
(8) By being carried away by false teachings (Ephesians 4:14),
(9) By rejecting a love for the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10–12).

Biblical ignorance has been one of the primary reasons why God’s people have failed to carry out His will. This Will cannot be accomplished if we open the door to foolishness and ignorance of the Scriptures. The apostle Paul exhorted: “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Likewise, in Romans 10:2–3, Paul describes those who have zeal for God but not according to knowledge, showing that enthusiasm without knowledge can also lead to error.

The only way to remain firm in the path of the Lord is by giving diligent attention to the Word of God. It is the lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105), the counsel that directs our lives (Psalm 119:24), and the means by which our faith grows (Romans 10:17). Jesus Himself declared: “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures…” (Matthew 22:29), indicating that doctrinal error often has its root in Biblical ignorance.

Furthermore, the Word of God has the power to save our souls (James 1:21), to make us wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15), and to transform us through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). It is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16), useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, and able to equip us completely for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

Brethren, Biblical ignorance can become so dangerous that it may even prevent our entrance into heaven (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 7:21–23). For this reason, God’s people are encouraged to take spiritual growth more seriously. We must search the Scriptures daily, as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11), and desire the Word like newborn babes desire pure milk (1 Peter 2:2).

We are exhorted to cultivate a deep love for the Word of God (Psalm 119:97), to meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8), and to persevere in both studying and obeying it. In doing so, we will not only be hearers of the Word, but doers also (James 1:22).

We must recognize that a people grounded in the Word of God will be useful and a great blessing to the work of the Lord. The wisdom and understanding that God’s Word produces in our lives (Deuteronomy 4:6) will help us live in a way that glorifies Him (John 14:15). Not only this, but it will also grant us the blessing of one day being in heaven with our God, having remained faithful to His truth.

CHALLENGES YOUNG PEOPLE FACE TODAY: IGNORANCE OF THE WORD OF GOD by Willie A. Alvarenga

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One challenge I wish to present in this series of articles is the lack of knowledge of the Word of God, a serious problem that has affected God’s people in every age. From ancient times, God has warned about the grave consequences of ignoring His Word. The prophet Hosea expressed this reality with powerful words:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you… because you have forgotten the law of your God” (Hosea 4:6).

This passage reveals the terrible consequences of opening the door to biblical ignorance. Both the priests and the people had deliberately rejected divine knowledge and had forgotten the law of the Lord (cf. Jeremiah 2:8; Nehemiah 9:26). When this happens, ignorance of the Scriptures becomes a serious spiritual problem capable of leading God’s people into moral, doctrinal, and spiritual ruin (cf. Isaiah 1:3; Matthew 22:29).

Biblical ignorance is not simply the absence of religious information, but often a willful rejection of the truth revealed by God (cf. Proverbs 1:22, 29). Where there is no knowledge of the Word, there can be no firm faith, sincere obedience, or healthy spiritual life, for “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17; cf. John 8:31–32).

For this reason, I want to encourage you, young person, to take seriously the diligent study of the Word of God. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, saying:
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

This knowledge will help you avoid being destroyed by the enemy and will enable you to remain firm in the midst of a world filled with spiritual deception (cf. Isaiah 5:13; Ephesians 6:11–17). The Bible also exhorts us to continue in both public and personal reading of the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:13), to store God’s Word in our hearts through memorization (Psalm 119:9, 11), and to meditate deeply on what God teaches us through it (Psalm 1:1–3; Joshua 1:8).

We live in a world that “lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19), where false doctrines, moral confusion, and opposition to divine truth abound (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3–4; Ephesians 4:14). Therefore, it is essential that we strive for the Word of Christ to dwell richly in our hearts (Colossians 3:16), continually growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

If you make the Word of God a priority in your life, you will be able to live as more than a conqueror (cf. Romans 8:37), and biblical ignorance will have no place in your heart. Let us always remember that a people who know their God shall be strong, faithful, and victorious (Daniel 11:32; cf. Psalm 119:105; John 17:17).