The Responsibility of Knowing

There is a difference between not knowing what is right and knowing what is right but choosing to do what is wrong.

There is also a difference between hearing the truth and responding to it.

Many people desire knowledge. They want understanding, wisdom, and answers. But have we considered the responsibility that comes with what we know?

What happens when God has revealed His truth to us, yet we willingly turn away from it?

Jesus Christ gave us a serious warning.

When Greater Revelation Brings Greater Accountability

In Matthew 11, Jesus rebuked the cities where He had performed many of His mighty works. These cities had witnessed the works of God, yet they did not repent.

Matthew 11:20–24 (KJV)

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Why did Jesus speak so seriously to these cities?

Because they had received much.

They had witnessed His mighty works. They had been given opportunities to recognize the truth and turn from their ways. Yet they did not repent.

Jesus compared their condition with that of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom. The point was not that these cities were innocent, but that the cities who had received greater revelation were more accountable for their response.

The more truth a person receives, the greater their responsibility for what they do with it.

Knowledge is not the same as obedience.

Hearing the truth is not the same as living by it.

And being exposed to the works of God does not mean that a person has truly repented.

Knowing What God Says and Choosing Otherwise

There is a serious danger in knowing what is right and continuing to do what is wrong.

A person may know what God's Word says. They may understand the difference between righteousness and sin. They may even acknowledge that their actions are wrong.

Yet they continue.

They make excuses.

They justify their choices.

They tell themselves that because they know God, or because they believe in Him, their disobedience is somehow less serious.

But Scripture does not teach us to treat sin lightly.

James 4:17 (KJV)

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

This verse shows us that knowing what is good brings responsibility.

When a person knows what they ought to do but deliberately refuses to do it, they are not simply lacking information. They are making a choice.

And that choice matters before God.

The Servant Who Knew His Lord's Will

Jesus explains this principle even more clearly in Luke 12.

Luke 12:47–48 (KJV)

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

This is a sobering passage.

Jesus distinguishes between the servant who knew his lord's will and the servant who did not know.

The one who knew and still refused to obey received greater punishment.

Why?

Because knowledge brings accountability.

The servant was not ignorant of his master's will. He knew what was expected of him, yet he chose not to prepare himself or do what his master required.

This is the danger of receiving truth without allowing that truth to change how we live.

A person can know what God says and still refuse to obey Him.

But knowledge does not remove responsibility.

It increases it.

Ignorance Is Not the Same as Innocence

We must understand something important.

The fact that someone does not know God's will does not mean they are automatically innocent. Scripture teaches that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Every person needs the mercy and salvation of Jesus Christ.

However, Jesus makes it clear that there is a difference between the person who does not know and the person who knows but refuses to obey.

The person who has received greater understanding has greater responsibility.

This should cause us to examine our own hearts.

Not simply to ask:

"How much do I know?"

But:

"What am I doing with what I know?"

When Knowledge Becomes an Excuse

Sometimes people use their knowledge of God as a reason to feel secure while continuing in sin.

They may say:

"I know God understands."

"I know He forgives."

"I believe in Jesus."

But if a person is knowingly continuing in disobedience, these statements should not be used as excuses to avoid repentance.

God's grace is not permission to continue in sin.

Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Paul asks a direct question.

If we have received the grace of God, why would we desire to continue living in the very sin from which Christ came to save us?

Grace is not a reason to remain comfortable in disobedience.

It is a reason to turn to God.

God Is Calling Us to Repentance

The warning of Jesus is not given so that we may simply point at the sins of others.

It is given so that we may examine ourselves.

We can easily see the disobedience of another person while overlooking the areas where we ourselves refuse to obey God.

We may know that we should forgive, yet hold onto bitterness.

We may know that we should speak the truth, yet continue to lie.

We may know that we should flee sexual immorality, yet willingly return to it.

We may know that we should seek God's will, yet continue making decisions according to our own desires.

The question is not whether we have knowledge.

The question is whether we are willing to submit to the truth God has revealed.

Acts 17:30 (KJV)

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

God calls us to repentance.

Not merely to acknowledge that we have sinned.

Not merely to feel sorry for the consequences.

But to turn from sin and return to Him.

What Are You Doing With What God Has Revealed?

The Word of God gives us truth.

It teaches us what is right and what is wrong. It reveals the character of God, the seriousness of sin, and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

But the responsibility does not end with hearing.

We must respond.

If God has shown you something in His Word, do not treat that revelation lightly.

If you know that something is wrong, do not continue making excuses for it.

If you have been convicted of sin, do not harden your heart.

And if you have been given understanding, do not assume that knowledge alone makes you pleasing to God.

Obedience matters.

Jesus said:

John 14:15 (KJV)

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Love for Christ is not merely a statement we make.

It is demonstrated through our willingness to obey Him.

A Final Word

The responsibility of knowing is not meant to drive us into hopelessness.

It is meant to awaken us.

God is merciful. He calls sinners to repentance. Through Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness and salvation for those who turn to Him.

But we must not confuse God's mercy with permission to remain in deliberate disobedience.

The truth we receive is a gift.

And with that gift comes responsibility.

So ask yourself:

What has God already shown me?

What do I know to be right, yet continue to resist?

Am I willing to obey the truth, or am I using my knowledge as an excuse to remain in sin?

Do not merely seek to know more.

Seek to walk faithfully in what God has already revealed.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.