Ignorance is bliss. How true is this statement? There are many today who go about establishing their own religion in the cloak of Christianity and I am personally shocked how easily people fall in line with these doctrines. However, when I study scripture, I find out that this is exactly how Satan works. Paul speaks about the course of this world in Ephesians chapter 2, which we understand to be the teaching of doctrine just as a course in school.
Ephesians 2:2,3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Of course, Paul is speaking to saved individuals who used to live according to the doctrine Satan created. The problem is, some "Christians" are still under that doctrine but have no idea. They take scripture and twist them to mean what they want them to mean, just to prove their doctrine. They are in good company though. In Isaiah chapter 56, we see how Israel's religious leaders were falling for the course of the world and were ignorant of this fact as well.
Isaiah 56:9-12 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Notice Isaiah says the watchmen are blind. They have one job and they can not perform that job because they are blind. He does not stop there letting the religious leaders know how far they are from the truth. The question is, did they learn their lesson? Absolutely not! They did not understand their redeemer was in their midst when they reject Jesus Christ.
Paul does not want the bretheren to be ignorant, so he gives them a warning in 1 Corinthians chapter 14.
1 Corinthians 14:36-38 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Paul says to the church in Corinth to learn what he wrote them. He does not stress to them that they should read the red letters of the Bible, because he understood the entire Bible was the word of God. He understood that Jesus was the word. He understood that he was given a revelation that contained information that was never before revealed. He knew that his gospel was not taught by anyone before him. He KNEW, because he was not ignorant.
Grace and peace,
Greg Resor
Complete in Him
