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The Point of Responsibility
Leviticus 5:3
"Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty."
One of the questions that I am often asked is if a person does wrong and doesn't know it, is it still a sin. This is asked because people know that there are times when someone does wrong and doesn't know it. However, though ignorance may be bliss, ignorance is no excuse to do wrong. It is the responsibility of humans to find out what they are supposed to do. God fulfilled His responsibility by giving us His Word. Therefore, we are to do our part to find out what is right and wrong. Let me give you several principles that God discusses about a person doing wrong through ignorance.
First, God acknowledges that there is a sin of ignorance. In Leviticus 4:2, God says that a person can sin through ignorance. God understood that there would be times when we would do wrong because of our lack of knowledge concerning His Word.
Second, ignorance of sin does not change God's laws. In Leviticus 4:13, God shows us that though a person sins through ignorance, they are still guilty in His eyes. Just because you don't know God's laws in a certain area doesn't mean that you are not guilty. For instance, there are times when you may be speeding and not know it. Maybe you entered a certain roadway and the speed limit sign is not posted. Depending on the laws of the state, the unposted speed limit could be lower than what you expected. Does your ignorance of that law make you not guilty when the policeman pulls you over? No! You are still guilty of breaking the law. Likewise, you are still guilty of breaking God's laws even when you break them through ignorance.
Third, the point of knowledge is the point of guilt. In the verse above, you will notice that God says, "...when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty." It is when you know that you have done wrong that you are now guilty, not only in God's eyes, but also in your own eyes. You are already guilty in the eyes of God when you committed the sin, but when the knowledge of sin comes to personal reality, then guilt will set in.
Fourth, the moment of guilt is the point of accountability. In Leviticus 5:5, God shows that a person is to immediately confess their sin upon the point of accountability. God holds you accountable for your sin once you know that you have done wrong. You become accountable for your actions at the moment you know you have done wrong. In other words, accountability should cause you to confess your sin to God.
Last, your response at the point of accountability determines God's blessings. What you do once you know you have done wrong will determine how much God blesses you. If you continue to do wrong after the point of accountability, then God will withhold His blessings from you.
Let's make this applicable to your daily life. When dealing with people, if they do wrong out of ignorance you need to use that opportunity to show them where they were wrong. However, if they did wrong out of ignorance then apply mercy, but from that point forward you must hold them accountable. This principle should be applied to rearing children, the workplace, the church, etc. When people know that they have done wrong, then that is when they should be accountable for what they have done.