If you’ve ever heard someone say, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you,” they probably weren’t talking about spiritual matters. Because when it comes to God’s people, the exact opposite is true!
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…
Horsea 4:6
But what kind of knowledge and power are we talking about here? Is this about knowing how to change a tire, file your taxes, or win at game night? Nope. The knowledge that God is talking about in this verse is the knowledge of Him—who He is, what He desires, and how He calls us to live. When we lack this, we open ourselves up to destruction in ways we often don’t even see coming.
You probably have heard the saying, “Knowledge is power,” right?
It’s ironic that when you look closely enough, you can see the Word of God all around you. His truth seeping through like water squeezed out of a sponge. God spreads His Word through the Bible to help guide us to the truth. Oftentimes, we call out into the abyss, “Why doesn’t life come with a manual?!” Well… if we just open up one of the oldest and most unique no other books, the Bible, maybe we would realize that we do have exactly that.
I know I have heard this saying, “knowledge is power,” quite often over the years. So we just went over how this knowledge God is talking about in the verse is about Him. We know we have this saying, “Knowledge is power.”…Well I believe that power comes right from God. Anything is possible through God.
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
This means that knowing something allows you to make better decisions. So, let’s get started and discover the facts of the Bible.
What Does the Bible Say About Knowledge?
Living in an age of technology, autocorrect, and media around every corner—it can become easy to lean into and by doing so, you forget how to use your own thinking process. How many times have you just clicked the option to autocorrect? Do you mean… you didn’t grab a dictionary to double-check your spelling?
If you don’t use it, you lose it.
So, what does the Bible say about knowledge?
Well, the Bible talks about how the lack of knowledge would destroy His people. I think we can see some relevance to that today.
The danger of spiritual ignorance is very real and can affect our chances of hearing the Lord’s Words to help guide us through our struggles. Overall, it is one of our very first guides in life. Not only how to live your life but also how to reach everlasting life.
Understanding Knowledge: The Danger of Spiritual Ignorance
Okay, so let’s talk about spiritual ignorance—it’s one thing not to know something because you haven’t had the opportunity to learn it. It’s another thing when you have and choose to reject the knowledge, especially when it’s right in front of you.
…because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
Hosea 4:6 continued
Taking a look at this quote, let’s reflect on this—how many times have we heard the truth but chosen to ignore it? Maybe we didn’t want to change our ways. Maybe it was inconvenient. Perhaps we thought tomorrow we would. Or maybe we thought we knew better. However, whatever the reason, rejecting God’s knowledge puts us in a dangerous place.
It’s like you see the stove burner on, yet you touch it anyway. Disaster and pain is inevitable when you don’t follow the warning signs. And God will give you them. Although, be sure your ears are open to hear and eyes open to see those signs.
Spiritual danger has been a risk for thousands of years, though, not just today. Let’s take a look and see what we can learn from the past.
Biblical Examples of Destruction Due to Lack of Knowledge
The Bible is full of examples of people who suffered because they lacked the knowledge of God or refused to accept Him or the truth.
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): They knew God’s command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, but they listened to Satan’s deception instead. Their lack of discernment led to the fall of humanity. (Check out my article that dives into this more.)
- The Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 14): God had promised them the Promised Land, but when they heard the reports of the spies, they let fear take over. Their lack of faith and trust in God’s word led to an entire generation dying in the wilderness.
- Samson (Judges 16): God gave him incredible strength but lacked wisdom and self-control. His downfall came because he trusted Delilah, who betrayed him. His lack of knowledge in discerning right from wrong cost him his sight and, ultimately, his life.
- The Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-36): These religious leaders had all the head knowledge about God’s laws, but they completely missed the heart of God. Jesus called them out for leading people astray, yet their spiritual blindness pulled them away from the truth.
How This Impacts Us Today
Okay, so we got a glimpse of past examples. Now, what can we learn from them?
Before we shake our heads at how they could turn from Him, let’s take a look in the mirror and realize we aren’t perfect either. Falling into the same patterns can be very easy, even today.
What is it that you are running from? What fear has you running away? Why aren’t you trusting in Him? Remember Matthew 19:26.
We’re not so different.
Next, let’s take a look at how we are still affected by lack of knowledge today.
Not Knowing God’s Word Leads to Deception
In today’s world, people believe all sorts of things about God that aren’t true. Some believe that “God helps those who help themselves ” is a Bible verse, but it actually isn’t. I have to admit, I remember this saying repeating in my mind over and over as a kid. I chalk this saying up as I have to be willing to put effort in, if I’m going to keep moving forward. But—it’s not a verse.
Another example of believing the deception is that many people think that if you are a good person, doing so will reward you with Heaven, that being a good person is enough. But when we don’t study scripture, it opens the door for this deception. Taking away the power of knowledge God offers us when we ask for discernment.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth
2 Timothy 2:15
Lack of Knowledge Leads to Fear and Anxiety
We can easily fall into fear when we don’t know God’s promises. Anxiety is distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune (Dictionary.com). So, we get anxious over the thousand possible outcomes.
Yet, through God, we are told to give our worries to Him, that His burden is light. If we don’t know what God has promised us, we will continue to worry and stress. Knowing the truth allows us to release these pressures and trust in Him.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Ignoring God’s Ways Leads to Sin and Its Consequences
Many people suffer because they don’t know, or don’t want to know, what God says about how to live life. They choose their own understandings and desires. Sin isn’t just about breaking the rules—it’s how our separation from God happens.
And choosing to ignore God’s instructions will lead to pain, broken relationships, and eventually, separation from Him. Now, another point to make here is that just because you have faith and trust in God doesn’t mean you will never struggle or suffer. What it does mean is—you won’t be alone.
God didn’t remove the entire sea for Moses to cross—he parted it. This means He won’t take away our suffering, but He will make a way through it.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
I think Romans 6:23 covers an important question in our faith. If nothing we do is good, and we can’t earn eternal life—how is it promised to us? Simple. That was God’s promise. By sending His only son to die on the cross, He made the perfect sacrifice. Jesus lived a sinless life. His blood covers his followers and he paid for our sins. The price of sin was high. No amount of gold would cover it. The wage is death.
Many people wonder why we have to live out this life, why it can’t just be perfect already, and why God is allowing this suffering. Well, God gave us an out. He didn’t want us to suffer. But he also isn’t going to force us. Real love isn’t forced. It’s chosen.
How to Gain the Knowledge That Saves
Alright then! We’ve talked about many depressing concepts of past and present sufferings. So, let’s talk about how we can gain the knowledge that will save us. Remembering we shouldn’t lean on our own understanding but lean into God’s Word. That is where the true power over knowledge happens.
Study the Bible Regularly
This book called the Bible? What I call the step-by-step guide to living life. The manual we all ask each other about—duh, we do have one. That’s the part we need to have ears to hear and eyes to see. It’s right in front of us.
The Bible is our door to God’s Word. It allows us to know Him. Getting into his word equips us with the truth and allows us to protect ourselves through our Lord.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalms 119:105
Pray for Wisdom and Understanding
Remember, the power of Knowledge comes from God—nowhere else. There are many counterfeits out there, but God is the one true God. He’s there for us in our times of need, whether we recognize that or not.
However, we have to seek Him and ask for this knowledge to grow in wisdom. God wants to help us, but we have to be willing to ask for it—just like in everyday friendships or relationships. We must be willing to ask in order to receive.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:5-8
This verse is both a relief and a harsh reflection. Ask and believe, and you shall receive. But doubt the request you are asking, and you find yourself double-minded, unable to make up your mind. As humans, we are emotional beings. Another verse tells us not to follow our hearts because our hearts deceive us.
Surround Yourself with Godly Teachers and Community
We aren’t meant to journey this life alone. I mean, that is why God made Eve, so Adam wasn’t alone. We are told to gather in our community and to support one another.
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
Seek a Bible-teaching church, join a small group, and find guidance from those who are strong in faith. Having the right support system around you is vital on your road to Christ. It’s a narrow one, too. Yet, when you are surrounded by those strong in faith, you gain wisdom, accept the mentorship, and grow with God.
Practice What You Learn—Put it into Action
Study, study, study. After spending hours and days nose-deep in your Bible, praying for discernment, and reaching out to God, you should start to feel a bit different. Maybe a little lighter, maybe a little more at peace, however, don’t get worried if you don’t feel anything at all.
Building your faith in God, it can take time, and there’s no perfect way to do so. I mean, following the Bible definitely helps, but remember that this is a relationship, not a religion, like so many believe.
Final Thoughts: Knowledge is Power
Alright, so we know that while lack of knowledge leads to destruction, seeking knowledge leads to life! God made a way with his son, Jesus Christ. He doesn’t want to keep us in the dark—He’s inviting us into the light. We just have to choose to walk through the door to the sunshine. When we accept His wisdom, we walk in the light, free from the traps that destroy so many.
Staying in God’s Word and seeking His truth will help lead you to the promises of life. Choose knowledge. Reject ignorance. I know it’s easier said than done sometimes, but staying in God’s Word will make it easier…
When we truly know God, we won’t be destroyed—we will be transformed…
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