Luke 12:48a English Standard Version (ESV) But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating.

Some say ignorance is bliss. A pew potato is similar in design to the couch potato, they kick back, relax and expect to be entertained. Consequences in the world occur for the couch potato, his health declines because of inactivity. In the spiritual realm ignorance does not have the same physical effect but there are spiritual consequences.

James 1:22 English Standard Version (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Satan is the deceiver and acting as a pew potato does his work for him. We should not deceive ourselves. The truth is available to us if we seek Him who is true.

Ignorance of sin is still sin. It may be a light beating but it is still a beating. My mother gave the harder beatings but the ones from my father hurt the worst. That is directly related to the relationship I had with my father. I tend to think that when we answer to God the Father for what we did with His Son, it will hurt worse coming from Him.

Matthew 23:23 English Standard Version (ESV) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

That was just a scolding. They will have to answer to the Father for their failures. They were warned and given a chance to repent and change their ways. We are no different. We cannot fail to heed the warnings by saying the message is meant for someone else. We must not take to heart a word meant for another and take it upon ourselves.

The only way to know if we are doing as we are instructed is to make this relationship personal.

1 Corinthians 14:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Why has the practices of speaking in tongues and prophecy disappeared from the majority of churches?

The simple answer is abuses. These two manifestations of the spirit are the least understood and the most abused. Fear of abuse is real and the easiest remedy is to stop the practices.

Matthew 5:29 English Standard Version (ESV) If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

It was considered a sin to fake these manifestations of the spirit. The practices were disbanded for exactly those reasons. Since they are manifestations of the spirit, can man hinder God in enacting His will? We are not stronger than God, so the answer is no.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

God is going to do as He pleases because He is God. Since Jesus Christ is Lord then we are subject to His commands. He does not need our permission, He is Lord. He would however appreciate our cooperation. Because this is a personal relationship our dedication to this relationship builds trust in that relationship.

Luke 12:47-49 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴⁷ And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. ⁴⁸ But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Do we want to be trusted servants?