Blistful Ignorance

Ignorance is not bliss. Neither are powerful weapons in the hands of the inexperienced warriors. Only the wise and discerning soldier understands the danger of ignorance. If a warrior knew beforehand that their enemy targeted the storehouse house for a robbery, would he leave the front door open? If he did, his ignorance caused the removal of his weapons. "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace." Luke 11: 21 NKJV

Often I wondered if the problems plaguing our churches and God’s people resulted from their ignorance of the weapons at their disposal. With few Sunday morning sermonettes declaring the dangers of our warfare, where do we turn for enlightenment? Is that enlightenment found in our Sunday school lessons? Perhaps! Only if the teachers understand spiritual warfare and are listening to the Holy Spirit. Make no mistake about it; we are in a war – "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood." Ephesians 6: 12 NKJV. How do we overcome our ignorance of this spiritual battle?

Firstly, we understand that our enemy is satan and his army of wicked angels – no ignorance there. However, ignorance to the enemy’s tactics might become a problem. He will try every trick in the book to overpower and destroy God’s children. Satan tempted Christ in the desert. "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward he was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Knowledge of scripture overcame Christ’s need for food. Satan didn’t stop there, remember this temptation on the cross: "And saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." (Matthew 27: 40 NKJV) Stripped, beaten beyond recognition and barely alive, Christ stood His ground. Don’t think that satan wouldn’t tempt us at our weakest point. We must know our weaknesses and rely on the risen Christ for our strength during our satanic temptations. "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12: 10 NKJV)

Ignorance of your weakness would result in heartaches and pain or even your rewards in heaven. Jesus fought Satan’s temptation with scripture. Only the word of God is living and powerful enough to bring down a lie. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piecing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4: 12 NKJV) If the church and the body of Christ are guilty of anything, it is the willful ignorance of scripture. If you doubt this, the next time you attend a religious gathering listen for scripture in the messages. In the good old days, our Sunday schools challenged the young people and adults to memorize scripture. How often are you challenged to memorize a chapter or even a book of the Bible? This practice was common in the last century. Before beginning to train on our powerful weapons, we must understand that scripture thoroughly equips us for Christ’s purposes. "That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (I Timothy 4:1 7KJV) Do you know your weakness? Are you ignorant of the scriptures regarding your weapons? Remember that ignorance isn’t spiritual bliss!

Copyright 2007 Patricia Charlton

On Your doorstep

Hospitality is a natural human tendency implanted by the grace of Jesus Christ within the human heart. We often enjoy sharing our worldly wealth with others. Many friends and even strangers enjoy a dinner party or a back yard barbecue. When our phone rings we often answer with a friendly greeting. Deep within our hearts, the welcoming grace of Jesus Christ overflows to all within our reach. However, often God’s children lack the wisdom and discernment regarding the potential enemy outside our door.

The enemy innocently lurks around the next corner. Their dress and speech is engineered to deceive. They carry a Bible and other literature but within the disguise lurks an insidious enemy – the spirit of lies. The next time your doorbell rings, don’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s warning: "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and antichrist." (II John 1: 7 NKJV) I warn you, don’t be taken in by the spirit of lies. Not everyone that knocks on your door or rings your doorbell is beneficial to the saint. The word of God warns "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." (II John 1: 9 NKJV)

The extra literature and books according to their interpretation are false. Beware regarding the cunning deceitfulness. Their truth includes many roads to heaven. I warn you! Many have fallen for they clever scheme of deception. All the rules and regulations added on to the word of God only ensnares an unsuspecting seeker of truth. The enemy standing at the door looks, acts, and even talks like a true believer, but something is missing. At that moment when your doorbell rings, listen to this counsel from the Holy Spirit: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." (II John 1: 10: 11 NKJV)

God says what he means and He means what He says. Don’t let a deceiver into your house unless you desire to share in their evil deeds.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Charlton