Lack of Knowledge Is Hazardous to Your Health
There is a long list of products, substances and actions that are known to cause harm to a person, but “a lack of knowledge” is on none of these lists. That is largely because the primary concern on these lists is all about ones “physical” being. It is important to take care of our bodies, and the knowledge of how to do so is valuable. We are to take care of our physical bodies as the body is the earthly dwelling place of the soul. We are also to use our bodies in the service of God. This is what the Spirit had Paul tell the Roman brethren in Romans 12:1, but in verse 2 we also see that the body and soul are to work in conjunction in service to God. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The idea that lacking knowledge or even hating knowledge causes one to bring difficulties to themselves is not new. In Proverbs 1:28-32 we are told of the fate of those under the Old Testament Law of God willing to endanger themselves by spurning the Word of God. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. Notice that the individual is to bear the blame when God’s counsel is ignored and it is the individual that makes the choice that brings destruction upon himself.
Hosea 4:6-7 is perhaps a much more well-known Old Testament passage that shows that what one does not know is harmful to them. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. But there is also a very important New Testament passage; Romans 1:28-32, which shows us in this age, that “lack of knowledge” of God’s Word leads to all sorts of despicable acts and makes one worthy of death – spiritual death. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The very fact that a “lack of knowledge is hazardous to your health” is evidence that knowledge can indeed be quite beneficial. In 2Peter 1:3-4 we find that through “knowledge” of Christ and His plan we have access to the “great and precious promises” made in the Word of God. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Notice also that we first have to escape the corruption that is in the world.
Knowledge of this is important because we do have choices. As we live this life we are actually choosing where we will spend eternity. 1John 2:15-17 tells us of our choices. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Then, when we read 2Corinthians 5:10 we see why knowledge is so important as we make our choices as none can escape the judgement For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Aren’t you glad that you now know?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
