The Knowledge of God [Bible Study]

What is knowledge?

Knowledge can be said to be understanding or skill gained by experience. Acquaintance with or understanding of a matter. (Miriam Webster).

Therefore, we can say the knowledge of God is gaining an understanding of God through experience.

Why is it important for us to know God?

To access everything we need for life.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

2 peter 1:2-3

Grace and peace are multiplied in our knowing God. We grow in grace as we grow in our knowledge of the Lord.

Through our knowledge of God, we receive all things that relate to life and godliness. For us to excel in life and godliness we require the knowledge of God.

To live in a manner that is worthy of the Lord.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10

Paul’s prayer for them was that they would come into a deeper knowledge of the will of God. So that they could live right; bearing fruit in good works as well as increasing in the knowledge of God.

When we know His will, we are able to live the way God wants us to. We are also able to live fruitful lives that are pleasing to Him and increase in our knowledge of Him.

To grasp the riches of His glorious inheritance for us.

I do not cease to give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:16-18

Again Paul’s prayer to this group of believers was that they would receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. We need wisdom and revelation to be able to know God.

He also tells them that God may open the eyes of their hearts through the light of his truth for them to grasp the hope and glorious inheritance that is theirs in Him.

To be delivered from evil.

For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech. Proverbs 2:10-12

When we gain wisdom and knowledge, we are able to order our way wisely and protect ourselves from evil.

To enter into eternal life

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

Life everlasting is found in our increasing knowledge of the one true God and of His son Jesus Christ. We cannot know God apart from Jesus, nor can we know Jesus apart from the father.

How do we enter into the knowledge of God?

Through the fear of God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding seem to be used interchangeably where knowing God is concerned.

Understanding can be defined as the ability to comprehend or discern.

Wisdom can be defined as insight or the ability to apply knowledge effectively. (Webster abridged dictionary)

The fear of the Lord is the commencement of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It starts here, anyone who is walking in the fear of the Lord, is subsequently walking in the knowledge of God.

We seek after knowledge.

Seeking denotes effort. It’s not accidental; it’s a deliberate intention to find something. This is how we are to seek after knowledge.

Yes, if you will cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD. And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:3-4

We have to seek after knowledge as hard as we seek silver. We have to search for wisdom as we would search for hidden treasures. In doing this we will find the knowledge of God.

Knowing God has to be a priority in our lives. In seeking the Lord we’ll find wisdom; from His mouth, we’ll access knowledge and understanding.

By keeping His commands

Now by this, we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3

We cannot have the knowledge of God apart from His commands. We, therefore, have to be knowing and keeping His commandments to say we actually know Him.

Through His creation

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:18-19 NLT

Creation reveals the knowledge of God to us. His invisible qualities have been made visible through His creation; we therefore have no excuse for not knowing Him.

We are exhorted to abound in knowledge.

But as you excel in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness… 2 Corinthians 8:7

For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge… 2 Peter 1:5

ESV says… Make every effort to supplement your faith. Knowledge is important in enhancing or completing our faith.

CEV says… Do your best to improve your faith by adding…

So when we grow in the knowledge of God we are excelling in our spiritual life as well as enhancing our faith.

Have a blessed weekend!