Topical Encyclopedia Ignorance, in the biblical context, often refers to a lack of knowledge or understanding, particularly of God's will, His laws, and spiritual truths. The Scriptures address ignorance in various ways, highlighting its consequences and the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding.1. Ignorance of God's Nature and Will: The Bible frequently points out the ignorance of people regarding God's nature and His will. In Acts 17:30, Paul speaks to the Athenians, saying, "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent." This passage underscores the transition from ignorance to the revelation of God's will through Christ. 2. Ignorance as a Result of Sin: Ignorance is often linked to sin and spiritual blindness. Ephesians 4:18 describes the state of those who are separated from God: "They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." Here, ignorance is both a cause and a result of spiritual alienation. 3. The Role of Ignorance in Persecution: Ignorance can lead to the persecution of believers. Jesus, in John 16:2-3, warns His disciples, "They will put you out of the synagogues; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me." This ignorance of God's true nature leads to misguided zeal. 4. Ignorance and the Law: The Old Testament law made provisions for sins committed in ignorance. Numbers 15:28 states, "The priest is to make atonement before the LORD for the person who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven." This highlights God's mercy towards those who sin unknowingly. 5. The Call to Overcome Ignorance: Believers are called to grow in knowledge and understanding. In 2 Peter 3:18, the apostle exhorts, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This growth is essential to overcoming ignorance and living a life pleasing to God. 6. Ignorance and the Gentiles: The New Testament often addresses the ignorance of the Gentiles concerning God's revelation. In Ephesians 4:17-18, Paul writes, "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." 7. The Remedy for Ignorance: The Scriptures present the knowledge of Christ as the remedy for ignorance. Colossians 1:9-10 encourages believers to be filled with the knowledge of God's will: "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way." 8. Ignorance and the Jews: Paul speaks of the ignorance of the Jews in Romans 10:2-3, "For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. Because they were ignorant of God's righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." This ignorance led to a misunderstanding of God's plan of salvation through faith in Christ. The Bible consistently calls for the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, emphasizing that ignorance, particularly of spiritual truths, can lead to separation from God and misguided actions. Through Christ, believers are invited to move from ignorance to the light of God's truth. Nave's Topical Index Job 8:9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow:) Nave's Topical Index Job 11:7,8,12 Job 28:12,13,20,21 Job 36:26,29 Job 37:5,15,16,19,23 Psalm 139:6 Proverbs 7:6-23 Proverbs 8:5 Proverbs 9:14-18 Proverbs 19:2 Proverbs 20:24 Proverbs 22:3 Proverbs 27:1,12 Proverbs 30:4 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Ecclesiastes 6:11,12 Ecclesiastes 7:23,24 Ecclesiastes 8:6,7,17 Ecclesiastes 9:12 Ecclesiastes 11:5 Jeremiah 10:23 John 13:7 Acts 1:7 Acts 17:23,30 Romans 8:24-26 1 Corinthians 2:7-10 1 Corinthians 3:19 1 Corinthians 13:9,12 James 1:5,6 Library Concerning the Scriptures. General Corruption. The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ... Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall. The General Resurrection General Index. General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses ... Concerning the Sacrament of Penance Concerning Christian Liberty Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism Resources What are the Stations of the Cross and what can we learn from them? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism? | GotQuestions.org When, why, and how does the Lord God discipline us when we sin? | GotQuestions.org Ignorance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ignorance of God is No Excuse for Sin Ignorance of God: Evidenced by Living in Sin Ignorance of God: Evidenced by not Keeping his Commands Ignorance of God: Evidenced by Want of Love Ignorance of God: False Prophets Ignorance of God: Ignorance of Christ Is Ignorance of God: Leads to Alienation from God Ignorance of God: Leads to Error Ignorance of God: Leads to Idolatry Ignorance of God: Leads to Persecuting Saints Ignorance of God: Leads to Sinful Lusts Ignorance of God: Ministers should Compassionate Those In Ignorance of God: Ministers should Labour to Remove Ignorance of God: Punishment of Ignorance of God: The Wicked Choose Ignorance of God: The Wicked, in a State of Ignorance: General Scriptures Concerning Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Abimelech Ignorance: Punishment of Sins of Pharaoh Related Terms Fire-offering (45 Occurrences) Commandments (181 Occurrences) |
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