Numbers 15:22 “But if you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses,
Leviticus 4:2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD’s commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them,
Leviticus 4:13-14 “If the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they do any one of the things that by the LORD’s commandments ought not to be done, and they realize their guilt, when the sin which they have committed becomes known,
Leviticus 4:22 “When a leader sins, doing unintentionally any one of all the things that by the commandments of the LORD his God ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt,
Leviticus 5:15 “If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD,
17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Job 6:24 “Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.
Psalms 40:12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
One of the hardest diseases of the soul to detect is unknown, unintentional sin. This disease eats away from the inside out. It seems never to be seen by the one infected. We easily see it in those we spend time with and on occasion those we first meet. We can see it in how they act, in what they say and think, and in what they do or do not do. This disease affects everyone. It routinely consumes more and more of the life of the person as they become more and more neglectful and complacent with God’s word.
Being blind to the disease does not keep us from being accountable. Imagine being on a trip to a different state or country and while in the course of your trip you get arrested for some act. It takes you by surprise and you tell the officer you did not know of the law which you broke. They are not going to say, “oh, that makes a big difference, you can go”. The judge is not going to say, “Well, because you did not know of the law you broke, you are not guilty.”
The fact remains you are guilty and must bear the consequences of your action. In the letter from Paul in Romans it states it like this; “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” In Matthew, the outcome is; “Depart from me for I never knew you.”
Being neglectful and complacent in His word allows more and more diseases to invade our heart and soul. These diseases destroy the fruits of the Spirit and render the infected worthless in serving, honoring, glorifying, worshiping, following, and obeying God.
Stay in His word and come to God with a heart and soul deep open prayer like David. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.