In a previous post, we explored the basics of spiritual warfare and how submitting to God—by avoiding sin and confessing when we fall—grants us spiritual authority. Yet, many Christians live with unconfessed sin in their lives. Why?
- Some believe they have not sinned (we’ll address this in a future post).
- Others are simply unaware of their sin.
Today, let’s focus on the second group: those who are unaware of their sin—and why ignorance is a dangerous position to be in.
Ignorance Is Not Innocence: Why What You Don’t Know Can Still Harm You
The Bible makes it clear: lack of knowledge is no excuse. What we don’t know can hurt us, and even destroy us spiritually.
Consider the story of Joshua and the Gibeonites in Joshua 9.
The Deception of the Gibeonites: A Lesson in Spiritual Vigilance
God had commanded Israel to destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan. But the Gibeonites, who lived in Canaan, pretended to be travelers from a distant land in order to trick Israel into making a peace treaty with them.
Joshua 9:6-9,15 (KJV)
“We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us… And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.”
Three days later, Israel discovered the truth—but by then, it was too late. They had already made a covenant with the Gibeonites, and they had sworn an oath before God.
A Covenant Made in Ignorance Still Carries Consequences
Even though the covenant was made through deception and ignorance, it still stood. In fact, it remained binding for centuries.
Fast forward almost 500 years:
2 Samuel 21:1 (KJV)
“Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.”
God punished Israel with a three-year famine because Saul broke that ancient covenant by attacking the Gibeonites.
Let that sink in: an agreement made in ignorance with the enemy—almost five centuries earlier—still brought judgment upon God’s people.
Why Christians Must Know the Word of God
This story is a sobering reminder that spiritual ignorance has real consequences. Just because you don’t know about a sin doesn’t mean you won’t suffer its effects. That’s why knowing God’s Word is essential to walking in freedom and authority.
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”
If we remain unaware of sin or spiritual principles, we may unknowingly enter into agreements or actions that give the enemy legal ground in our lives.
Final Thoughts: Wake Up to the Word
In spiritual warfare, ignorance is not a defense—it’s a liability. If we don’t study Scripture, if we don’t ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, we might find ourselves in bondage without knowing why.
So ask yourself today:
- Are there areas of my life where I’ve made agreements out of ignorance?
- Have I assumed I’m spiritually safe simply because I didn’t know any better?
Let the story of Joshua and the Gibeonites be a wake-up call: seek truth, confess your sins, and break any agreements that were made in ignorance. God is merciful—but He is also just.