An ignorant person can be extremely dangerous. Where there is a conflict between a knowledgeable person and an ignorant person, the knowledgeable person is always exposed to danger. Under normal conditions, one would assume that ignorant people ought to be the ones convicted, rather than harassing knowledgeable people. This is when considering the harm that ignorant people cause to humanity, using their ignorant ideas, preserved as valuable knowledge.
Nevertheless, truthful people often get into serious trouble, as it is impossible for those who know to be emotionally charged. This is why, on several occasions, Jesus had to duck stone-throwing Pharisees, each time He presented unknown truths to them (John 8:58-59). The Pharisees were ignorant but occupied positions of authority. Rather than them being accused of ignorance, Jesus was projected as bent on invalidating their authority.
The crucifixion of Jesus exposed the modus operandi of the dreadful conditions of this world. Where people are emotionally irritated against ideas, the individual against whom people show animosity would be truthful. There is no record of truthful people ever showing anger towards ignorant people. This is a stuck reality, axiomatically, usable in all spheres of life.
Deacon Stephen projected the truth against the marauding Jewish zealots and got killed, as a result. He died praying for God to forgive them because He was knowledgeable. Hence, it is impossible for truthful people to be emotionally irate, against ignorant people. After conversion, Paul, the ringleader, among Deacon Stephen’s murderers, later spent most of his life in prison but also being killed, eventually. He was similarly murdered for projecting the truth to ignorant people.
Truth and falsehood produce irreconcilable friction when connected. However, falsehood is saleable to ignorant people. Liars are always in harmony, without the presence of truthful people, often tagged as trouble-causers. This is why Jesus warned His disciples of being hated, rather than loved.
“If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (John 15:19-21 NIV).
A truthful person ought to know, from Jesus’ utterance; “If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own.” This is a simple formula but hardly understood by most Christians. Democracy doesn’t work, among ignorant people. As supported by their similarly ignorant associates, ignorant people will always win, democratically. The popularity of ignorance speeds up the demise of ignorant people, in two ways.
The first suggests that deceivers profanely would project falsehoods, deliberately, in order to benefit from ignorant people. This world is full of criminals, who deliberately abuse people; taking advantage of their ignorance. Unfortunately, what prevails is those ignorant people would always defend such abusers. Such blatant abusers cannot be viewed as forgivable by God.
The second condition projects the purely ignorant leaders, assuming to know, when clearly uninformed. This refers to those for whom Jesus prayed: “Forgive them, Lord, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). In both cases, ignorance is to blame, except that in the first case, it focuses on deliberately manipulating the ignorant people, for personal benefits.
Rarely do ignorant people appreciate being trouble causers. But they blame the truthful communicators, who they accuse of being trouble causers. In our toxic political environment, those fighting for justice and freedom, often get it wrong. They naively assume that the majority would always support good ideas.
That stance could be true when dealing with educated people, who fully appreciate the significance of democracy. However, the opposite is commonly true, when dealing with ignorant people. The starting point ought to be that of educating the majority, before talking about democracy. This is why nothing can be more valuable than knowledge, in this world.
But knowledge, without sufficient educators, can be dangerous when projected to ignorant people. The formidable question ought to be: “How can knowledgeable people penetrate the populace of ignorant people?” That is what caused Jesus’ murder; also the reason for murdering the apostles.
A lone voice gets overwhelmed, among ignorant people, languishing under the authority of uninformed leaders. Rarely do the people who are informed get accommodated in this world. This warrants the repetition of what was clearly projected by the author of our salvation.
“If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (John 15:19-21 NIV).
For those seeking popularity, projecting falsehood is the only answer. One can be deemed as successful as can be imagined; when projecting falsehoods. There cannot be two ways about it. Truthful information is dangerous but requires courageous people, willing to sacrifice their lives, in all spheres of life.
The story of Job Sikhala has generated anger among some people. But such angry people are also unwilling to identify with him. This is due to fear of falling into the same fate. Our political environment in Zimbabwe is extremely dangerous. The toxicity, actually, invites more sacrifices than can be imagined. The methodical approach is advancing Jesus, ahead of everything.
Violence is not the way to go. A person with knowledge is not one found using emotional anger, existing in the province of ignorant people. Lives might be lost, in the process of campaigning for a good cause. But it should be understood that life lost when doing the right thing is life gained. There is no need for despair.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39 NIV).
We live in a dangerous world, suggesting that the righteous are more vulnerable than the wicked people. But, it is a matter of time, before the wicked discover being more unsafe than their victims. Better to die doing the right thing than accommodate fear, and then wait for the judgment, reserved for evil people.
“He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Revelation 21:7-8 NIV).
There is a pertinent question, on whether Christians should be involved in politics, or not. Once again, this question comes from ignorant people, presuming that Christianity is about being highly spoken of as virtuously good. No wonder why evil politicians find comfort in religious cults, in our country. An ignorant person assumes that everything that gives comfort is associated with God.
One cannot be a darling of those evil politicians and still identify himself as a Christian. Jesus stated that those belonging to Him are identified by being hated. The favourable treatment by political leaders is the only sign of being on their side, but certainly not on the Lord’s side. Those advancing such information could be taking advantage of people’s ignorance.
It is impossible for evil to be addressed politically, without first addressing the problem of the false gospel, in our country. The only reason for the false gospel to thrive is the existence of cowards in Christianity. Or that those Christians would be pretenders, but in agreement with the evil system.
No one knows what Jesus thinks about pretenders. Politics is a very important factor in human society. If Christians take a back seat, in political activities, who should be expected to enlighten the public? The idea of avoiding politics is relative to Jesus’ statement, regarding putting one’s light under a bowl, as politics affects humanity’s livelihood.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV).
It is important to look at the background of those preaching that Christians should not participate in political activities. Either they would be speaking from their ignorant positions, or taking advantage of ignorant people. Either way, those preachers would be God’s enemies. It is in politics where Christian leadership is needed most, as ordinary people need guidance. Why should people take comfort in being led by non-Christians?
The fact that politics is associated with crooks does not necessarily mean all politicians are crooks. Similarly, Christianity is full of crooks, but that does not mean all Christians are crooks. Those painting everyone with a black brush are in apathy. They suggest that things work out without anyone’s contribution. Wise people can never waste time listening to such charlatans.
“When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding” (Proverbs 28:12 NIV).
Our country is laden with people assuming that the most important thing is to accumulate wealth for oneself. This is how the false gospel has penetrated, thereby, poisoning the minds of ordinary people. Without money, one is assumed to be a false preacher. But with money, one is considered to represent the truthful gospel.
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt minds, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptations and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, a man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, goodness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:3-11 NIV).
Our country is full of proud Christians, who view themselves as better than the assumed wicked politicians. Unfortunately, such evil politicians are a reflection of the ineptitude of proud preachers in our society. It is impossible to have wicked politicians, in the presence of Christians of integrity and probity. This is just as darkness cannot prevail against the countenance of the light.
Nothing takes away the fact that only the truth sets people free. There is no safety in cowardice. Evil people cannot be allowed to cause havoc on innocent people. Evil people may be violent, but that does not suggest allowing them to continue in their evil trajectory without being challenged. If one loses his life in the process of challenging such wicked people, one would be counted worthy to be God’s child.
Never, in our country’s history, has there been any demand for righteous people to come out from their hiding and make a difference. There is nothing left to protect in a devastated country like Zimbabwe. True heroes are those focusing on applying Jesus’ teachings, rather than false doctrines.
What is important is to keep in mind that emotional anger signifies ignorance. Those projecting emotional anger, as to assume that they would be surrounded by enemies, are ignorant people. They may be justified as right, by other ignorant people, but being totally wrong. There is no need to be angry at such people, but to understand their ignorance and gently show them the light, accordingly.
Jesus’ message is not about fighting evil with evil but fighting evil with the righteousness of Jesus. The starting point is curbing the marauding false gospel. It is basically from the false gospel that violence exists, with people assuming to fight on God’s behalf. Ignorant people are either manipulated by evil politicians or, are unaware of their ignorant conditions. The greatest work still lies ahead.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration,` bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99
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