Brad Phillips

Often we hear the statement, “What you don't know won't hurt you.” However, when we seriously reflect upon this statement, we can quickly conclude that this statement does not hold true concerning many things. For instance, if someone does not know that a bottle of water is contaminated with poison, and they drink that bottle of water, it will hurt them. So, you see, there are some things that can hurt you, if you do not know them, and this is not only true concerning physical matters, but is likewise true concerning spiritual matters.

So, with the thought of “what you don't know can hurt you” pressed upon our minds, let's consider some important things that one needs to know concerning spiritual matters. Starting with, it is important that one knows God. Why is this so important? Well, the apostle Paul tells us why in 2 Thessalonians 1:8, when he declared that vengeance will be taken upon those who do not know God, and he then goes on to inform that those who do not know God will be punished with everlasting destruction (Ref. 2 Thessalonians 1:9). Therefore, if one does not know God, it will hurt them.

Now, one must not only know God, the creator and sustainer of all things (Acts 17:24-25), but they must likewise know His will. In Ephesians 5:17, Paul wrote, “do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Think about that, and do not be unwise like God's people of old who were destroyed due to a lack of knowledge concerning God's will (Hosea 4:6), but rather be one who knows, and does God's will, knowing that if you don't, it will hurt you.

Also, my friend, you are in need of knowing about sin. You see one must know that sin is lawlessness, it is transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4). One must know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). One must know that sin separates them from God (Isaiah 59:2). One must know that they must repent of their sins (Luke 13:1-5), and one must know the need to be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). For, if one does not know about sin, and what to do about it, sin will hurt them (Ref. Romans 6:23).

One must also know about Jesus Christ. One must know and believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God, lest they die in their sins (John 8:24). One must know that Jesus Christ is the Savior (1 John 4:14) and that He came to this world to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). One must know that Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15). One must know that Christ is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). One must know that reconciliation to God is only through Christ (Romans 5:9-11). One must know that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5), and one must know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father in heaven except through Him (John 14:6). For, failure to be in Christ will hurt you (Ref. Ephesians 2:1).

My friend, failure to know about the things mentioned above will hurt you. Therefore, seek the Lord while He can be found (Isaiah 55:6), hear the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28), believe in and declare Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37; 1 John 4:15), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16). For, failure to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), and failure to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will hurt you (Ref. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).