There are things we see and learn that we really don’t want to know. Many years ago when I was a pastor I pulled up alongside a car being driven by one of my church elders. He was thoroughly enjoying a huge cigar; something on our no-no list. Before he saw me see him I turned my head to the left as if concentrating on oncoming traffic. I didn’t want him to know I saw. (There were times I would not have wanted him to see me.) Recently my wife was reading the local police blotter in the newspaper and spotted the name of one of our students. Ouch. I wish she didn’t read that thing. Now I know something I didn’t want to know and I don’t want him to know I know. Or should I quietly and gently take him aside for a concerned man to man talk? What is my responsibility to the school administration? Do I need to tell them? It could further complicate his life and jeopardize his education. We have often heard that ignorance is bliss. Often times it is. Does knowledge obligate us to respond?
Adam and Eve were carefully and thoroughly instructed regarding the forbidden tree. Lucifer via the serpent told them the truth when he told them if they ate the fruit they would learn things God didn’t want them to know. They ate. They learned all about death, loss, suffering, betrayal, selfishness and jealousy. While it is true that inquiring minds want to know there are many occasions when we should choose not to know. I have on occasion felt sorry for God. He knows all our dirt. How fortunate we are that He is willing and able to forget it should we only ask.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 1, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena,CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org