Long ago a prophet in Israel voiced the word of the Lord by saying, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee" (Hosea 4:6).

The penalty for ignorance is often disastrous to man. Politically speaking, to be ignorant of the aims and methods of the Communist conspiracy to take over our country leaves one helpless to act in defense of his country. Actually, without being aware of it, he may become a part of the revolutionary bomb.

Physically speaking, if we are not acquainted with the rules of good health, or if we are not aware of the symptoms of dreaded diseases, our ignorance can result in a short life span for us. But, spiritually speaking, the consequence of ignorance is even more tragic because it involves the destiny of the soul. So, as Paul instructed the Ephesians, "Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17). And he instructed fathers to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

The training of youth is primarily the responsibility of fathers, because they are at the head of the family relationship. And the children are to be put under such discipline and instruction that they shall become acquainted with the Lord. But there is a conflict between the command of the apostle Paul and modern education as taught in many of our public schools-and in some private schools. Modern education has put a premium on materialism. The use of the Bible is forbidden in many schools and the existence of God is often ridiculed. Morality is being thrown to the wind.

But this is not a new situation. Other periods in the history of man have seen the same development and the consequences. The apostle Paul speaks of a generation who professed themselves to be wise, but became fools. The women of that day practiced

lesbianism and the men practiced homosexuality; they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the created rather than the Creator. As a result, God gave them up to the way of life they had chosen and thus they passed into eternity without God. Regardless of what scoffers may say, God is our only hope. Let us then seek to know what his will is and then make application of it.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 35, p. 2
July 12, 1973