In Hosea 4:7, God makes an ominous declaration regarding Israel.  "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee."  According to Strong's Concordance, the word knowledge has the meanings of knowledge, perception, skill, discernment, understanding, and wisdom.  Too many Christians (the vast majority) are being spiritually and physically destroyed because of a lack of discernment and knowledge.

Proverbs 18:13 tells us that "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."  In the fast-paced society in which we live, people jump to conclusions or convictions based on a little news, commentary, or hearsay.  Why do you support what you support?  What about the people in leadership?  Are you actively aware of their works, or just their words?

I Corinthians 4:2-3 warns us that "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgement: yea, I judge not mine own self.  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord."  Paul was telling them that certain things he will have to give account of to God, and not to man.  The heavenly requirements were of far superior importance to Paul than what the people thought of him or criticized him of.

Find out for yourself, don't echo the newspaper, or evening news.  Especially seek resources that are from a Christian perspective.  The only true barrier to truth is the presumption that you already have it.  The Bereans searched the scriptures to prove that what was being taught was accurate.  Just because the books in your Christian bookstore are 'Christian', doesn't not make them Bible.  There are many so-called Christian books out there that are filled with theological and doctrinal errors.  Christians can be deceived.  Just look at the different movements within the church.  Promise Keepers, Vineyard, Social Gospel, Covenant Theology, etc.  Christians can become unproductive and counterproductive to the true goal of worshipping God and spreading the Gospel.  II Peter 3:17 says, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness."

Eph. 5:6,11 "Let no man deceive you with vain words... and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."  Are there doctrinal problems in your church?  Confront them.  Are there doctrinal errors in popular 'Christian' material?  Expose them.  Are there leaders who say one thing, but do another?  Reprove them.

I Cor. 5:6b says, "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."  Too many Christians excuse corrupt materials, people, or teachings because "it is mostly right".  That is one of the greatest cop-outs.  "Oh, well, it has a lot of good magic in it..."   "It's not as bad as some of these others...."   "Well, they quote Bible verses...."

Christian, I beg you to get into the regular habit of equipping your mental faculties in the area of knowledge and wisdom.  Turn off that television.  Satan doesn't have to fill your mind with lust, greed, or other sin to make you ineffective; he just has to get you to stop thinking critically.

You will give account of your stewardship, and ignorance will not be an excuse.