By Tope Banso
IGNORANCE IS A PRESCRIPTION FOR FAILURE IN LIFE!
“Be like obedient children; do not let your lives be shaped by the passions which once swayed you in the days of your ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14 Twentieth Century New Testament).
Hosea 4:6 says God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Ignorance is destructive. An ignorant man is a dangerous man, both to himself and everybody around him. Peter said the Jews and their leaders killed Jesus in ignorance (Acts 3:17).
Nobody will argue against the statement that an ignorant man, holding a loaded gun, is a danger to those around him, and even himself. In life, the probability of an ignorant person failing is extremely high.
Ignorance manifests in many ways. Lack of adequate knowledge and skills necessary to excel in one’s area of operation or field of practice in life can limit one’s performance. This can also hinder one’s success. If you want to succeed in your profession, career, discipline or practice, pay the necessary price to acquire the training or knowledge.
Nobody will leave a highly competent, efficient and effective professional to patronize a mediocre person! Except such a fellow is looking for a cheap service. He may end up being penny wise pounds foolish. Don’t be ignorant in your field and hope to succeed. “Wise people treasure knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14a New Living Translation).
Many are ignorant about the Word of God and His promises, because they don’t study the Word and meditate upon it to do according to what is written (Joshua 1:8). You cannot replace the Word of God with prayer. Neither can you obey the Word of God you are ignorant of.
Many people are not yet saved because of their ignorance. Their understanding has been darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and the blindness of their hearts (Ephesians 4:18).
Some have established their own righteousness, which can’t save them. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:3-4 New King James Version).
Ignorance of the will of God for one’s life is another type of ignorance. Because of this, many labour as fools (Ecclesiastes 10:15). Because they are operating outside the will of God for their lives and not employing biblical principles, they’re not recording success. They must change.
Find out the will of God for your life and do it. What you achieve while pursuing it is the real success. Your focus should be what God has called you to do, not what He has called others to do.
Paul said, “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people (Ephesians 1:18 New Living Translation). This is also my prayer for you.
Ignorance of the devices of the devil is another kind of ignorance that will hinder a person’s success (2 Corinthians 2:11). You should not glorify the devil, but you should not underrate his intelligence! He has wiles or devices. Don’t be ignorant.
These wiles or devices are neither hidden nor new. They are things he has used before and is still using, because they are still working for him! They are well recorded in the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you study your Bible.
Satan is the enemy of human beings. His ministry is to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10a). He wants Christians to return to their old ways of life and continue in sin as in the days of their ignorance. But Peter wrote, “Be like obedient children; do not let your lives be shaped by the passions which once swayed you in the days of your ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14 Twentieth Century New Testament).
Some Christians are ignorant of spiritual gifts. Paul told the Corinthians that, concerning spiritual gifts, he did not want them to be ignorant (1 Corinthians 12:1). How can something you’re ignorant of benefit you or how can you benefit from it?
Similarly, some Christians are ignorant of spiritual warfare. The Bible says we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and power and spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Imagine someone that war has been declared against, but he does not know! He will be easily defeated.
Many don’t succeed because of multi-dimensional ignorance! They need the multi-faceted wisdom of God. Wisdom will direct your life to the path of success. The Bible says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7 New King James Version).
Wisdom is profitable to direct (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Lack of wisdom will deny one success in life. A knowledge of what, why, who, where, when and how makes success easier. Only fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7b).
Wisdom will always prevail over ignorance. If you want to succeed in life, get wisdom and with all your getting, get understanding. “Wisdom brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10b New King James Version).
“But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you” (James 1:5 New Century Version).
If you’re not born again, repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out.
PRAYER POINT: Father, deliver me from all forms of ignorance; flood my heart with light; grant me wisdom and understanding.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org)
▪ Banso, an Abuja-based minister and pastor heads Cedar Ministry International and can be reached at cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523 WhatsApp No: +2349081295947