But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22. NLT

There is quite a difference between ignorance and ignoring. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge or information. Ignoring is the refusal to take notice of or acknowledge something, the failing to consider or the choice to disregard something. Before we learn something, we are in ignorance about it. Years ago, when we first moved to Oak Harbor, I was pulled over by a police officer for traveling 30 miles an hour in a 25 mile zone. He said, “You didn’t even slow down when you saw me.” “I said, because I thought the speed limit on this road was 30 miles an hour!”. He was gracious and gave me a warning. I am no longer “ignorant” of the speed limit on that road. If I drive 30 miles an hour, I am ignoring the rules of the road, and breaking the law.

I think we as God’s people are often guilty of ignoring His commandments, than being ignorant of them. I’ve been reading about King Solomon, and we find he did some major ignoring of his own, which cost Israel dearly after he died. He ignored God’s ruling about marrying foreign wives. Even though he asked for wisdom and understanding to lead the nation, he faltered in this one area. Those women he married caused him to build actual shrines to their gods. On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods. 1 Kings 11: 7-8. This is a man who built the Temple to the Lord! I don’t know how he justified these builds, (maybe it was for peace in his household), but the consequences for Israel were severe.

The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s commands. 1 Kings 11: 9-10. The passage goes on with God telling Solomon that he is going to tear the kingdom away from him, and give it to one of his servants, which after his death happens.

As much as I want to judge Solomon for his actions. I can’t. I realize, at times, we all pick and choose which scriptures we apply and which ones we think we can conveniently ignore. Solomon lost sight of his relationship with the Lord, and so it became easy for him to pick and choose his obedience. Isn’t that the same with us? When we go through the motions of our “religion” it becomes easier to justify the lack of Bible reading, church attendance, tithing, loving others or forgiving. 2 Timothy 2:15 states, do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. This scripture helps motivate me to stay in the Word, and do my best to apply it.

Revelation 2 and 3 include specific encouragement and specific corrections to seven different churches. Most of these “churches” which are actually the people in them, were criticized for ignoring some of the basic truths they were taught. Reading through them always encourages me to stand taller in the things I’ve already learned, which is good. But the one that touches my heart the most is the church at Ephesus. They did so many good things, but they lost their first love. Solomon lost his first love, which is why he actually lost the kingdom. My friends, let us persevere in listening to the Holy Spirit and asking Him if we have justified “ignoring” His Word in any area of our lives. The price is higher than we can imagine. Our next generation is looking to us. If we compromise and justify ignoring parts of scripture, they will too. I am grateful for God’s grace and mercy. He desires to help us listen and obey. James 1:22-25. But don’t just listen to God’s word. Y0u must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Father, I thank you for loving us enough to help us walk in Your ways. Help us be faithful to Your Word and not be forgetful doers of it. Help us not get fooled into thinking we can ignore your Words and not have any consequences. Forgive us, In Jesus’ Name, amen.