What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!

"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."- Hosea 4:6.  In this one thought-provoking verse, God makes it hyper-evident that we are to possess some knowledge to be able to lead a successful Christian life.  The knowledge you obtain along your life's journey will determine the quality of the journey.  Will your way be hard due to a lack of knowledge?  Will you be a vessel God can use, or will your lack of knowledge hinder your service to Him?

Sometimes what we do not know impedes our progress in life.  Many times, we are not even aware that we are missing out on something because that is what ignorance produces- lack of awareness.  The very definition of ignorance is a lack of awareness or information.  What we are ignorant of will be our weakness.  The areas in your life in which you lack knowledge will be the areas that Satan will attack.  If you are ignorant in financial matters, Satan will be sure to attack your finances.  If you are ignorant of Scriptural principles regarding morality and purity, Satan will undoubtedly attack your flesh through lust and desires.  The more knowledgeable you are in an area, it is less likely Satan will establish a foothold of attack against you in that certain area.  Your level of knowledge or lack thereof in any particular facet of your life determines how that part of your life will either prosper or struggle.

Obtaining knowledge is paramount to achieving an abundant Christian life.  Studying the Word of God will surely add much knowledge and wisdom to your life.  Reading good books by good Christian authors will also be of help to those who seek to add knowledge.  Oftentimes knowledge can be gained by simply being observant and attentive in your everyday life.  We are to walk circumspectly, the Bible commands.  This means to always be inspecting everything around us as we journey through life; to literally take a close look 360 degrees about ourselves as we walk.  Lessons are there to be learned if we but take the time to recognize them.  This will involve discernment and judgment, and these skills can only be honed through knowing Scripture and studying it.  Having the mind of Christ is absolutely necessary to obtaining Godly discernment.  Once we are able to discern, we must be cognizant to put this skill to use in our everyday lives.  In your daily discourse, you will be able to glean much knowledge if you are on the lookout for it.  Be observant.

While a lack of knowledge will be a detriment to your life, an abundance of knowledge is also not a guarantor of success.  We must be careful to apply the knowledge we gain in a useful way.  A store of information that is never utilized is only wasted.  Knowledge for the sake of knowledge puffs up; it is a dangerous thing.  However, knowledge that is thoughtfully applied in life situations and is governed by Scriptural principles will be a valuable tool to help you lead a successful Christian life.