I Would Not Have You To Be Ignorant, Brethren

Six times in Paul's epistles, we find the apostle of the Gentiles using the phrase "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren..." or some slight variation thereof. We might say he broaches the subject seven times if we include his injunction that we are not ignorant of Satan's devices, though knowing that many folks are.

These statements are not random occurrences in his epistles. Rather they precede important doctrinal issues that are hot button topics of the Adversary, particularly utilized in his arsenal to keep saints immature in their spiritual understanding of what God is doing today. Paul understood where Satan would focus his efforts in seeking to nullify the revealed will of God that came through the revelation of his apostleship, and he warned the saints of ignorance in these matters repeatedly.

Not surprisingly, therefore, when the body of Christ at large left Paul's doctrine within his own lifetime (II Tim. 1:15), the ignorance he warned against set in, and since that time, Satan has duped a large population of the professing church through ignorance of these matters. This continues to this day, and the six or seven topics that sit in Paul's epistles preceded by his warnings are those that are currently surrounded with the most confusion in Christianity at this present hour.

We cannot afford to be ignorant of Satan's devices! The only defense against his policy of evil against us is a sound mind fortified by the sound words of sound doctrine according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God committed to Paul's trust (I Tim. 1:8-11). How familiar are you with these truths?

I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren concerning...

1. Pauline Authority for Godly Edification (Rom. 1:13-17)

2. Israel & the Mystery (Rom. 11:25-36)

3. Godly Sanctification vs. Doctrinal Idolatry (I Cor. 10:1-15)

4. Role, Purpose & Temporary Nature of Spiritual Gifts (I Cor. 12:1-14:40)

5. Sufferings (II Cor. 1:8-11)

6. Death, the Rapture & the Day of the LORD (I Thess. 4:13-5:11)

7. Satan's Devices & Godly Restoration of Brethren (II Cor. 2:9-11)