What practical steps can we take to avoid spiritual ignorance? What Psalm 73:22 Reveals About Ignorance “I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.” (Psalm 73:22) Asaph confesses that spiritual ignorance leaves us acting like irrational creatures—blind to God’s purposes, led by impulse rather than truth. Avoiding that trap calls for deliberate, God-directed steps. Step 1: Acknowledge the Problem Honestly • Admit when your thinking or behavior drifts from God’s wisdom. • Psalm 51:6—“Surely You desire truth in the inmost being.” Transparency opens the door to transformation. Step 2: Stay Close to God’s Presence • Immediately after v. 22, Asaph exclaims, “Yet I am always with You” (v. 23). • Regularly set aside unhurried time to draw near—silence, reflection, awareness that He is near (James 4:8). Step 3: Immerse Yourself in Scripture Daily • 2 Timothy 2:15—“Present yourself to God…accurately handling the word of truth.” • Practical ideas: – Read a Psalm and a Gospel chapter each morning. – Keep a Bible app open instead of social media during breaks. – Memorize a verse each week. Step 4: Pursue the Spirit’s Guidance • John 16:13—“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” • Pray before reading: “Holy Spirit, illumine this passage.” • Note any conviction or insight and act on it promptly. Step 5: Engage in God-Honoring Community • Proverbs 27:17—“Iron sharpens iron.” • Join a small group dedicated to verse-by-verse study. • Invite older believers to speak into your life; ask what passages shaped them. Step 6: Put Truth into Action • Ignorance isn’t just lack of facts; it’s failure to live what we know (James 1:22). • Keep a “obedience log”: write one clear step after each study and review weekly. Step 7: Welcome God’s Loving Discipline • Hebrews 12:11—discipline “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” • Instead of resenting correction, thank God for steering you away from danger. Step 8: Guard Your Inputs and Affections • Proverbs 4:23—“Guard your heart with all diligence.” • Filter entertainment, conversations, and online content: does it deepen or dull your awareness of God? • Replace mind-numbing media binges with uplifting podcasts, worship, biographies of faithful believers. Step 9: Cultivate Continual Worship • Psalm 73 ends with Asaph declaring, “But as for me, it is good to be near God” (v. 28). • Sing while driving, thank God aloud for small mercies, jot “praise notes” during the day. Step 10: Ask God for Wisdom • James 1:5—“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given.” • Make it a daily petition: “Father, flood my mind with Your light.” • Expect Him to answer through Scripture, counsel, circumstances, and inner prompting. Following these steps moves us from the brutish ignorance of Psalm 73:22 to the joyful clarity of walking hand-in-hand with the God who gladly gives light to all who seek Him. |
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