What is ignorance? Who is ignorant? We do not want to be ignorant.
Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.cambridge.org, defines ignorance as a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. Vocabulary.com defines it the same but adds to it. “The noun ignorance is not a synonym for “stupidity,” since its meaning is closer to “being uninformed” than “being unintelligent.” Ignorance implies that a person or group needs to be educated on a particular subject. You might have heard the phrase “ignorance is bliss,” which means that sometimes it’s easier when you don’t know the whole truth about something and can be blissfully happy, unaware of unpleasant realities.”
According to dictionary.com: ignorant is one who is lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned.
Who has ears to hear? This notion got me to thinking about ignorance. What is it? Who is? Then, I thought about evangelicals. In the last ten years, perhaps twelve to fourteen years, evangelicals have brought a lot of attention on themselves, on believers. With this notion of being “fed up/anti-this or that” mindsets they set their mind to set things back to an order they much prefer. There a a slew of Facebook groups whose focus is on the simplicity of the past. Like the old tune from All in the family. They are quite content to ignore many of the realities of the past. But that’s not enough. Their ignorance and misuse of biblical knowledge is quite disconcerting. I believe that statement is more true than false. These old nostalgic minds have become their own worst enemy.
Just like the Israelites. And with the knowledge, or lack of it, they speak. The evil, yes evil, that is in their heart is what spews from their mouth. They speak pompous words. They puff themselves up. They create human idols. Some lady on Facebook mocked a comment that I posted. I don’t recall the topic. Regardless, the women was relentless. She truly believed that her opinion was right and my opinion was wrong. Opinions are opinions. They are personal views or judgments formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. But these days, simply expressing a different opinion is quickly taken as fighting words. This woman doesn’t know me from Adam yet she wanted to provoke me. What kind of person does that? And she was more than willing to receive her crown on earth. There was no interest or intent to store treasures in heaven. Social media interactions makes it is easy for me to define today, as the last days, spoken off in Scripture. In the virtual realm we are in the period of the tribulation. Thank God that we do not live in a virtual world. As for the physical world, Jesus told us what we should expect. TRIBULATION. PERSECUTION. IMPOSTERS.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13
Who are these evangelicals I describe? Well, these are “them” that surf social media. They surf to and fro from one site to another looking for anyone they can deceive, or provoke. They spread conspiracy theories. They enjoy stirring up conflict. They mock anything or anyone that is different. They launch verbal attacks on anyone who disagrees with their comment, or whatever post they are agreeing or disagreeing with. They promote men and women who take a stand for the truth (their truth) and denounce those who don’t, those who challenge their truths. They turn workers into idols. They do not persue God, but only pursue how they might further their agenda. They promote a way that seems right to them, but their heart is far from God. But wait, these folks are also in the churches. They are our neighbors, fellow employees, they are fellow believers. These believers call you out for a woke agenda. They forget that even Israel confessed the sins of their fathers. How many of these folks will one day hear the dreaded works, “Depart from Me you evil doer. I never knew you.”? Matthew 7:21-23
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
When we think of evil we tend to conjure up images created by Hollywood. Think about it. The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby and The Silence of the Lambs, I know people that loved these movies. For me they had no entertainment value. They were scary. At the time, I believed they represented evil at its core. I am dating myself, but that’s ok, because today’s horror movies are one-thousand times worse. As if it were possible. But evil does not necessarily present itself in a cinematic or denomic fashion. Many of the kings of Israel had a way of getting on God’s bad side. And yet…
…but you have done more evil than all who were before you, for you have gone and made for yourself other gods and molded images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back—therefore behold! 1 Kings 14:9-10
Therefore behold! What can we expect when we take worldly matters into our own hands. It’s Halloween season and the horror and evil programming on television is outrageous. But people love it. But no Halloween haunted house will compare to what God has planned for a disobedient generation.
Should we consider the dangers of false teachings, false doctrines, false teachers, false prophets? This is the most significant trick of the enemy. That’s what Satan does. He has been twisting God’s word from the beginning. False teachers lead people down the wrong path. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Christian man + follower of false teachings + 0 spiritual discernment = deceived.
Plain and simple. Hearers attracted to false teachers will believe every wind of doctrine. There is only one way believers obtain spiritual discernment? The Scriptures tell us we are in the world, but we are not of this world. Yet.
The truth is not pleasant
Creating laws in America (in the world really) to govern morality and acceptable behavior would not change the heart of any man. The heart of man is evil. And when the acts of evil men are brought into the light, laws change for the good of a society, but even then, it depends on who’s in charge. Leaders have a history of changing laws to fit a personal or pharisical agenda. Neither agenda changes the heart of man. The heart would still be evil. It would still lust. It would still be full of pride, arrogant and boastful. There is only One who is Good. To God be all the glory. Do not boast of anything of man, but give glory to the one who created man and will one day judge the heart and every deed of every man.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in theLord.”
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Over the weekend, I had a yard sale. And I was quite surprised by some of the conversations I had with total strangers. I listened to several individuals express their concerns regarding the current state of our nation. These individuals attributed responsibility for our current state to the present leadership. They confessed an uneasiness over some of the actions taken by the administration. Regardless, they acknowledged their faith was not shaken. As believers, we recognize that the Lord is sovereign and directing events as they unfold according to His will. When attempting to discuss some of these issues, some friends of mine preferred to avoid such conversations, feeling it is a lack of faith to bring up current events, or discuss the behavior, and misgivings of current leadership. I can understand it. Questioning anything is often recognized as doubt. And discussing threats to our livelihood might come across as a lack of faith for some. But not necessarily. However, open discussions allow one to share and exchange, encourage and pray for each other.
I do have some friends who openly declare their support of current leadership and even come to their defense. The fact that strangers, no doubt believers, were willing to share their feelings, for me, highlighted the importance of encouraging one another. Fostering open dialogue about our feelings, rather than taking sides on worldly issues, or dismissing discomfort, or writing off such feelings to lack of faith can build faith.
To discuss, or not. Choose you today whom you will serve, the gods of this world, or the God of the heavens?
There is nothing unprecedented about what is happening to our nation. Our focus should be on acknowledging what God is doing in our lives, personally, rather than choosing sides in a social-political war in which there will be no winners. The body of Christ must be made perfect.
This world is not our home. This is a fallen world. It too waits. This world will not be our home until the Lord Himself establishes it. When it comes to politics, I do not believe either political party has God’s favor. Still, I am often accused of being a democrat. I do not take it as an insult. It does show ignorance. Decades ago, I asked a friend how I should vote in an election. He said this and that, but in the end, he said I just had to choose the best of two evils. He has since forgot his own words of wisdom. Another friend, in 2020, during a church event was asked the same identical question. I was within earshot when I heard this woman ask the question I asked my friend. This other friend told the woman that she had to vote for whoever represented her same values. I then heard him tell her, that she should not vote for democrats because they are baby killers. I was shocked. What happened in 30 years? Did Christians choose a side to represent good and one to represent evil? Seems to me the heart of man belonging to one party is the same as the heart belonging to the other party (ies).
What I know. What the Scriptures teach, is that only God knows the heart of any man. God is the one who judges the heart of man. Laws are created to protect people, for the good and for the bad. Consider slave laws, Jim Crow laws, equal rights. These laws were created to protect people. Were they fair laws? God judges the intent of the heart. Also, Romans 9:18 says, “Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.”
Who is ignorant then?
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” What are the wiles of the devil? Ephesians 6:10-12 instructs us to,
Gird your waist with truth. There is only one truth, though many interpretations, based on bias and opinion.
Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Self-righteousness does not count. Being a good person does not make anyone righteous.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Do you know what is the gospel of peace? What does it this mean here?
Take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Do you feel your faith is under attack? I am not talking about American freedoms.
Put on the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Sunday sermons, scripture memes, Christian songs, talking to a fellow believer, watching church talk TV or believing conspiracy tales, is not the same thing as reading the Bible. How often do you read the Bible for yourself?
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Matthew 6:6
The enemy wants to divide. He uses persuasive words to convince anyone and everyone that one side is better than the other. There is only One that is good.
The Lord is in control; nothing happens outside His will. I learn that from Job. Knowing that God appoints all leaders, for our protection and discipline, assures me that He will bring every bit of prophesy to pass. And not before its time.
I understand it this way. Not in contradiction but rather discernment. The world is the world, but evangelicals claim they would rather obey God than man. And yet, the bow to the traditions of men.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26:4-5
I like to watch this Star Trek episode because it really speaks to current events.
Kang: We need no urging to hate Humans. But for the present, only a fool fights in a burning house.
Can anything good come from the people of God going to war without God with them? If we do not examine ourselves the Lord will examine us.
Until next time…
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 123-124
Living in the Last Hour 
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