NOT DUMB – JUST IGNORANT!

NOT DUMB – JUST IGNORANT!

2 Tim 3:7

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

          One of the characteristics of the end-time generation is that they are ignorant of the truth. Paul warns Timothy that they will be self lovers, proud, religious but not righteous, and ignorant. If this is the last generation, and I believe that it is, there are three possible reasons for this ignorance.

1. INFORMATION OVERLOAD!

          There is simply too much information for our minds to process. Computers, both big and small, and gadgets that almost defy description pour information into and upon us at an alarming rate. Modern man has hardly ever heard silence, felt the comfort of sensory rest, or communicated with his own spirit. Someone or something is always vying for our attention. Spiritual truth is almost always, however, communicated in periods of quiet, in unhurried reflection and contemplation.

Ps 46:10

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

2. WE ARE LEARNING THE WRONG THINGS!

          If you walk on any college campus you will eventually hear one student ask another: “What’s your major?” It indicates the kind of things being learned and it also indicates the destiny to which this learning is leading. A student studying political science will make a poor doctor. Much of what we learn lies outside the boundaries of what God intended for us.

Jer 4:22

22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish [or silly] children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

          Make no mistake, our youth are not dumb – they are simply ignorant. They are processing information at an astounding rate but most can’t clearly recall the simplest of Bible stories. Two things I hear from the mouths of young people that amaze me – they are bored and they are tired! I sometimes wonder how these can abide together.

3. WE DEMAND THAT KNOWLEDGE ENTER THROUGH OUR OWN FAMILIAR PARADIGM!

          The Jews rejected Jesus not because he was not an astounding and spectacular individual but because He did not fit their preconceived notion of a Messiah. In spite of all the miracles they sought for a sign and Jesus said there would no sign be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah who was three days in the belly of the whale. He said that he would be three days in the belly of the earth and they didn’t understand. It didn’t fit.

          The Greeks rejected Jesus because they were looking for some new wisdom. They were sophists. Their arguments were brilliant but their reasoning was flawed.

1 Cor 1:22-23

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Cor 3:18

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, [moros, a moron] that he may be wise.

Dear Lord, let me study to be quiet and to hear your voice today. AMEN