The sin of ignorance

1. The Sin of Ignorance
Leviticus 5:17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the
commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
There is much important truth to be considered in reference to the above verse. I understand this
passage in its context of the law given by God to the Hebrew nation and the offering it prescri bed for
the Israelite in such a case, but the principle is just as applicable to our lives in this present day, as we’ll
see from the scripture. Basically, the lesson is this: IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE.
I understand that “sin is not imputed where there is no law” (Romans 5:13), that God looks on the heart
(1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:9-10), and that He judges every man based on the light he’s been given
(Romans 1:17), but this is a different matter altogether.
If the law and commandment should have been known and could have been known, it makes no
difference whether or not it actually was known; the violator stands guilty and condemned. None of us
will be able to plead ignorance when we stand before God on the day of judgment, be it at the great
white throne (Revelation 20:11-15) or the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Hosea’s people were destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), and many a Christian’s life has come
to utter ruin or absolute naught for much the same reason.
We were created to please our Creator (Revelation 4:11). We were saved so that we might glorify our
Savior (1 Corinthians 10:31). We have been forgiven of all sin so that we might live in victory over it
(Galatians 1:4). We who have been accepted in the beloved ought to live acceptably in His sight
(Ephesians 1:6; Psalm 19:14).
But how do we please God without knowing what pleases Him? How do we glorify God without knowing
what brings Him glory? How do we live righteously before God without knowing the difference between
what’s sinful and what’s holy? How can I obey His commandments if I don’t know what they are?
That’s why it’s so important that we read the Bible (Isaiah 34:16) and search the scriptures (John 5:39)
and hide God’s word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). That’s why it’s so important for us to get in on all the
Bible preaching and Bible teaching and Christian fellowship that we possibly can (1 Thessalonians 2:13;
Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25).
God has given us a perfect book, His complete revelation to man for all ages, and it’s “profitable for
doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We as Christians are obligated to take full advantage of that amazing blessing. To whom much is given
much is required (Luke 12:48). We’re accountable to God for every time we do what we shouldn’t (1
John 3:4; 1 John 5:17) or fail to do what we should (James 4:17) because we’ve been given His mind on
all matters. When we sin against Him – whether or not we realize that we’ve done so – we’re guilty and
we’ll bear our iniquity.

2. Most every reference to ignorance in the OT speaks to the offering that was to be brought
when a soul (Leviticus 4:2; 5:15, 18) or a ruler (Leviticus 4:22) or any of the common people
(Leviticus 4:27) or all the congregation (Leviticus 4:13; Numbers 15:24-29) had sinned through
ignorance. Now think about what that means. If they sinned THROUGH ignorance, then it was
their ignorance that led them to sin.
When David prayed that he’d think and say those things that God found acceptable (Psalm
19:14), He asked for the Lord’s helping in keeping himself from secret faults (sins of ignorance,
v. 12) as well as presumptuous sins (knowing it’s wrong and doing it anyway, v. 13). And the
answer to David’s request is in the immediate context. Verse 11 says, “Moreover by THEM (the
word of God, vv. 7-10) is thy servant warned: and in keeping of THEM is great reward.”
In order to keep from sinning against our God, we must hide His word in our hearts (Psalm
119:11; Colossians 3:16).
Now here’s what we learn when we examine the usage of the word “ignorance” throughout the
NT scriptures.
THE EFFECTS OF IGNORANCE
Israel’s ignorance caused them to miss out on God’s righteousness and left them in dire need of
His salvation (Romans 10:1-4). The Gentiles are said to be alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Ephesians
4:18). God’s children often return to the former lusts due to their ignorance (1 Peter 1:14).
COMMANDS REGARDING IGNORANCE
Paul often repeated his desire that God’s people not be ignorant. This statement is repeated by
him in reference to the mystery of Israel’s blindness (Romans 11:25); the purpose of the OT
examples (1 Corinthians 10:1, 11); the truth regarding spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1); the
devices of Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11); the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); and
by Peter in reference to the imminency of Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:8-14).
THE CAUSE OF IGNORANCE
Get this. This is important. What’s the root word of “IGNORance?” That’s right – ignore. The
reason we are ignorant and the reason it causes us to sin against God is not that the truth isn’t
available or that we don’t have it, but rather that we ignore it. We hold the truth, but we do so
in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
The point is that nobody has to be ignorant. It is a willful condition (2 Peter 3:5; 1 Corinthians
14:38).We are only ignorant because we want to be ignorant. Somehow, maybe
subconsciously, we think it gives us an excuse for our sin. But it doesn’t.

3. Now that’s tough. The Bible forces me to admit that the ONLY reason I fail to live up to all that
God wants me to be is that I DON’T WANT to be all that God can make me. You and I have
absolutely no other excuse than our LACK OF DESIRE to obey and honor and glorify the
Almighty God who created us for His pleasure and saved us by His grace.
THE CURE FOR IGNORANCE
The cure for ignorance is found in the mercy of God and is available to those willing to humble
themselves and repent. Paul was an ignorant man who found complete and total forgiveness at
the feet of a merciful God, when he bowed himself in belief (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Peter called
upon the Jewish people to REPENT, even though it was through ignorance that they and their
leaders had crucified their Messiah (Acts 3:17-19). Likewise, Paul called upon the men of
Athens, who ignorantly worshipped God, to fulfill His one command to all mankind – REPENT
(Acts 17:23, 30-31).
So the cure is available, and it’s simple. We just need to fall humbly on our faces before God
and repent. In turning away from our ignorance, we need to turn to the God who loved us and
washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5), and may it spark a desire down deep
in our hearts to do what pleases Him. And in turning away from our ignorance, we need to turn
to the book that He inspired and preserved so we can know just exactly how we ought to go
about doing the things that are acceptable in His sight.
As Christians, we sorely need to develop some BIBLICAL standards and convictions. Sure, it
might be easiest to just go with what our pastor teaches or what our church demands, but God
has commanded every one of us to be a student of the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15).
Have you taken the time to consult the scriptures in an attempt to determine what the Lord
would find acceptable? Do you see the importance of developing a biblical standard where
your family’s entertainment choices are concerned?
Be careful lest you sin through ignorance. “I didn’t know it was wrong” won’t work. The honest
truth is you didn’t care if it was wrong. You were more interested in doing what you wanted to
than doing what God wanted you to, or else you would have done what you should have and
devoted some time to discerning His will. If you care enough to know what the Lord finds
acceptable, He’ll not keep you in the dark (Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 5:17).
Have you ever honestly consulted “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) in an effort to
determine how God would have you to dress? Now that’s different than scanning the Bible for
a verse that makes you feel like God’s OK with what you want to wear. Be careful lest you sin
through ignorance.
The answers to all matters pertaining to the Christian life are available to those who really want
them. But it takes desire. It takes devotion. It’s a diligent pursuit to discern God’s will. You see,

4. the answers aren’t all in one place. It’s here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:13). It’s
comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13). It’s studying to show yourself
approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15).
Again, none of our excuses will work on the day of judgment; Which means that none of them
are valid now. May we each renew our resolve to live in such a way that we might have
confidence, and not be ashamed before the Lord at His coming (1 John 2:28).