Lack of Knowledge
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from being My priest. And because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
- Hosea 4:6
Have you ever been stopped for speeding while driving? When a law enforcement officer pulls you over and asks to see your driver’s license, they are not interested in hearing about how you didn’t see the speed limit sign, or how you’ve been on the road all day, or how desperately you need to get to your destination, or how you have been driving that section of road for many years and were not aware of the speed limit. None of that will matter as he or she writes out the speeding ticket. Your lack of knowledge has, at least in a limited sense, destroyed you.
Many times, the destruction that comes to a person’s life can be traced to a lack of knowledge. People are lost because they don’t know there is a Savior who wants to rescue them. Many are sick because they aren’t aware that God has provided for them to be well. Multitudes are bound, not realizing that Jesus paid a high price to purchase their freedom. Many more are fearful and afraid, not knowing that they can have peace that goes beyond their understanding.
One of the contradictions of our age is that even though the Bible is available in more places and more ways than ever before, people are less aware of what it says than in perhaps any other generation. The Bible is on the Internet, on cell phones, on television and radio, in print and even in the cloud of stored digital information. Unfortunately, it is also noticeably absent from hearts and minds. And just like the traffic officer who pulled you over on the highway, God is not interested in hearing excuses about why you don’t know what His Word says.
Knowledge is a powerful thing. The difference between success and failure in most endeavors involves having and acting upon correct information. But there is an additional step involved in achieving success. Knowing the speed limit isn’t enough—you have to slow down when you exceed it, or risk suffering loss. In the same way, just knowing the Word of God isn’t enough–you must act upon the truth of God’s Word that applies to your situation. But when you have the knowledge of the truth and apply that knowledge, you will be set free to live a victorious life through Jesus Christ.
Lord, today is Your day, and I want Your will to be done. So, whatever happens, guide me, and let's face it together. Amen.
Further Reading
- John 8:32
- Galatians 5:1
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
