--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is false to say that what we don’t…" description: "\"It is false to say that what we don’t know can’t hurt us, especially when it comes to the Bible. If ever there were anything we need to know, it is the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/r-c-sproul-jr-20337_bible_it-is-false-to-say-that-what-we-don-t-kn_84108.png" --- # It is false to say that what we don’t know can’t hurt us… ![“It is false to say that what we don’t know can’t hurt us, especially when it comes to the Bible. If ever there were anything we need to know, it is the very Word of God. That said, what is in all likelihood worse than what we don’t know about the Bible is what we do know that just isn’t so.” quote by R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/r-c-sproul-jr-20337_bible_it-is-false-to-say-that-what-we-don-t-kn_84108.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/r-c-sproul-jr-20337_bible_it-is-false-to-say-that-what-we-don-t-kn_84108.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/r-c-sproul-jr-20337_bible_it-is-false-to-say-that-what-we-don-t-kn_84108.png) > “It is false to say that what we don’t know can’t hurt us, especially when it comes to the Bible. If ever there were anything we need to know, it is the very Word of God. That said, what is in all likelihood worse than what we don’t know about the Bible is what we do know that just isn’t so.” [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ignorance about scripture can be dangerous, but false certainty is even more harmful because it leads to misguided belief and action. **In simple terms:** False certainty about the Bible is worse than ignorance. Key Takeaway Beware of believing what isn’t true. Themes knowledge faith truth danger certainty misinformation Mood cautious reflective Type theological advice When to use this quote - theological study - personal devotion - preaching - academic research - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts interpretation authority spirituality critical thinking Practical Applications - Bible teaching - apologetics Questions to Reflect On - How does false belief shape community values? - What methods can reveal hidden errors in doctrine? A Different Perspective Some argue that any belief, even if mistaken, can inspire positive moral behavior, but this risks entrenching error. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Word of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-of-god/) ## Related quotes > [The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible but to know God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-merritt/the-primary-purpose-of-reading-the-bible-is-not-to-know-the-bible-but/) James Merritt > [I study the Bible constantly. I teach the Bible. You know, I'm a Bible conductor, and I have a lot of people studies. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-benson/i-study-the-bible-constantly-i-teach-the-bible-you-know-i-m-a-bible/) [George Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-benson/) > [We all understand the people in the Hispanic world know about Jesus Christ, they know about the Bible, they know about God, they know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/we-all-understand-the-people-in-the-hispanic-world-know-about-jesus/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [It is in getting to know my Bible that I get to know Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/it-is-in-getting-to-know-my-bible-that-i-get-to-know-jesus/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [If you are serious about changing your life, you are going to have to get into the Bible. You need to read it, study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/if-you-are-serious-about-changing-your-life-you-are-going-to-have-to/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [ \[P\]eople need to use their intelligence to evaluate what they find to be true and untrue in the Bible. This is how we need… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bart-d-ehrman/p-eople-need-to-use-their-intelligence-to-evaluate-what-they-find-to/) [Bart D. Ehrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bart-d-ehrman/) > [God's people need to unashamedly and uncompromisingly stand on the Bible. We need to unashamedly proclaim a Christian worldview and the gospel, all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-ham/god-s-people-need-to-unashamedly-and-uncompromisingly-stand-on-the/) [Ken Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-ham/) > [“In the Bible we find everything we need to guide and energize our lives, to keep us on track so that we live out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/in-the-bible-we-find-everything-we-need-to-guide-and-energize-our/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [If when I get to heaven the Lord shall say to me, Spurgeon, I want you to preach for all eternity, I would reply,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-when-i-get-to-heaven-the-lord-shall-say-to-me-spurgeon-i-want-you/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Thicker than a Bible. I need it for survival. Lord save me! Poppin' bands for my baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-songz/thicker-than-a-bible-i-need-it-for-survival-lord-save-me-poppin-bands/) [Trey Songz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-songz/) > [“You just have to open your heart to him. John 14:26 says, the Holy Spirit is our Helper, Teacher and will help us remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unoma-nwankwor/you-just-have-to-open-your-heart-to-him-john-14-26-says-the-holy/) [Unoma Nwankwor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unoma-nwankwor/) > [“If every Christian read Bible, they know that God's grace for us is Jesus Christ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/if-every-christian-read-bible-they-know-that-god-s-grace-for-us-is/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Study the Bible to know about God. Obey the Bible to really know God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-rogers/study-the-bible-to-know-about-god-obey-the-bible-to-really-know-god/) [Adrian Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-rogers/) > [The Bible. Know it in your head. Stow it in your heart. Show it in your life. Sow it in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-vernon-mcgee/the-bible-know-it-in-your-head-stow-it-in-your-heart-show-it-in-your/) [J. Vernon McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-vernon-mcgee/) > [If you want to understand the Bible, get to know the Author.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-you-want-to-understand-the-bible-get-to-know-the-author/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) ## More by R. C. Sproul, Jr > [Nostalgia is the aching realization that you can't go back again. The longing, no matter how intense, can never be met.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/nostalgia-is-the-aching-realization-that-you-can-t-go-back-again-the/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [Creeds are definitions of what it means to be a Christian. They are fences that, albeit imperfectly, seek to separate sheep from goats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/creeds-are-definitions-of-what-it-means-to-be-a-christian-they-are/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [The One who knows the fullness of my sin loves me as my Father right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/the-one-who-knows-the-fullness-of-my-sin-loves-me-as-my-father-right/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [Because He freely owned my guilt I may freely own my sin. Guilty as charged, and yet, not guilty at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/because-he-freely-owned-my-guilt-i-may-freely-own-my-sin-guilty-as/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [Now that Hillary Clinton is officially running for President I am officially not going to vote for her. It's official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/now-that-hillary-clinton-is-officially-running-for-president-i-am/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [We do not homeschool to avoid wicked people. We homeschool so we wicked people can talk all day about the one Man who wasn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/we-do-not-homeschool-to-avoid-wicked-people-we-homeschool-so-we/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [In abortion they are trying to destroy the last bastion of the image of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/in-abortion-they-are-trying-to-destroy-the-last-bastion-of-the-image/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [I hope that we will learn from each other, but most of all that we would learn from God's Word, which equips us for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/i-hope-that-we-will-learn-from-each-other-but-most-of-all-that-we/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [God's own foolishness is stronger than men. Do we believe that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/god-s-own-foolishness-is-stronger-than-men-do-we-believe-that/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [Things are not as they should be. Because He's not finished yet. They will be. Rest assured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/things-are-not-as-they-should-be-because-he-s-not-finished-yet-they/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [Sanctification is the process in which we become more aware of how sinful we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/sanctification-is-the-process-in-which-we-become-more-aware-of-how/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [The true gospelstands before the throne of God declaring, 'Jesus did it all.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/the-true-gospelstands-before-the-throne-of-god-declaring-jesus-did-it/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [I am not accusing God of sinning; I am suggesting that he created sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/i-am-not-accusing-god-of-sinning-i-am-suggesting-that-he-created-sin/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [God's pleasure with me is grounded in the accomplishment of Christ, not my own accomplishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/god-s-pleasure-with-me-is-grounded-in-the-accomplishment-of-christ/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) > [As Christians continue to be vilified let us continue to rejoice and be exceedingly glad. It means we are salt, light and with Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr/as-christians-continue-to-be-vilified-let-us-continue-to-rejoice-and/) [R. C. Sproul, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) [Explore all 31 R. C. Sproul, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/) Michael Arnold > [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/) [Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/) > [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/) Robert A. Peterson > [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/) Stephen Taylor > [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) Walsham How > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/) [Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/) > [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is false to say that what we don’t know can’t hurt us, especially when it comes to the Bible. If ever there were anything we need to know, it is the very Word of God. That said, what is in all likelihood worse than what we don’t know about the Bible is what we do know that just isn’t so.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "R. C. 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