Don’t Let Ignorance Be Your Excuse

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Don’t Let Ignorance Be Your Excuse

Linda Guy

Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel , and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people, because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. - Numbers 15:29-31

I’m struggling with how to deal with this subject, because ignorance is such a very strong word, and people use it as a tool to manipulate. But how many of you know that God knows our heart and every one of our thoughts? We can only play stupid for so long and then we have to be held accountable for our actions. Ignorance simply means without knowledge or comprehension, stupidity; unaware, or the inability to give attention. We can let children get away with some of the things they do simply because they may not know any better and are still in the process of learning. We can excuse people with mental disabilities because we know they can’t comprehend right from wrong.

Given the fact that we have been graced with a new year and some unfulfilled promises are waiting to be released, we have to have our minds made up that the stupid stuff we allowed to hold us back in 2007 will not prosper in 2008. Don’t be fooled…the enemy hasn’t forgotten about you and neither has he forgotten about your areas of weakness or struggle. Although he didn’t kill you, he succeeded in stealing some things from you…your joy…your hope…your finances…your focus, your family members…your purpose, or maybe even some dreams. For some of you, he was successful in stealing your testimony by causing you to do some stupid stuff in 2007 like giving into sin...whether fornication, gossip, adultery, swearing, backbiting, gambling (whether going to the casino or getting someone to buy you a lotto ticket), lying, or even stealing.

But in 2008, God would not have us to be ignorant concerning the enemy’s devices. He has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind! Because we have a sound mind, we must be aware of the tactics the enemy used against us in the past and recognize them when they are coming up against us again; so the next time we encounter those situations, we can defeat the enemy in them. We should not be guilty of the same stuff because now we are no longer stupid…ignorant…unaware; we are wiser through experience.

Before the clock struck midnight, December 31, 2007, the enemy had already strategized his plan of attack for 2008. He looked back over the year at all the tactics he had used that caused you to doubt God, to falter in your faith, to become discouraged, to lose hope, to abandon your purpose, to stagnate or idle your mind, or to slow down your process for deliverance. He then put those things back on his "to-do list", with your name attached to it, as he waits…lurking to and fro…for the perfect opportunity to make his sneak attack. He hits you when and where you are most vulnerable.

The key to defeating him is to remember where that vulnerability is and be prepared for it when the enemy comes in like a flood. If you recognize now where that area is…it’s time to go on a fast…to crucify that flesh and ask God to help you strengthen that area. Remember, even Jesus went on a fast for 40 days and 40 nights because He would be tempted of the devil. He was tired, alone, and hungry, and therefore vulnerable in those areas where Satan tried to tempt Him. But Jesus didn’t give in and neither should we.

In the Old Testament, God set the law in place that anyone who unknowingly sinned could be forgiven when they brought the specific stated sin offering, but in the New Testament, God uses repentance to free one from sin. It is so easy to use repentance as an excuse to sin, but the scripture says that those who sin intentionally, their soul shall be cut off. But what happens when the opportunity to repent is not allowed? Think about it? Would you want to risk going to hell for that little mistake you are about to make? Would you risk turning your soul over to burn in the lake of fire forever and ever? Can you deal with standing by watching while others get blessed...knowing that you got out of line because of stupidity? Don’t allow the enemy to keep you blinded by letting ignorance be your excuse. Be Blessed!