What Does the Bible Mean When It Refers to the Knowledge of God?
The Bible has a lot to say about the knowledge of God. At its core, the knowledge of God refers to an intimate, personal, and growing relationship with God. It involves knowing God’s character, His ways, His truths, and His heart. Gaining this knowledge of God starts with knowing Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as Lord and Savior (John 17:3). As we spend time in God’s Word, in prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers, the Holy Spirit deepens our understanding of who God is and how He wants us to live (Philippians 3:8-10).
The Knowledge of God is Transformative
The knowledge of God is deeply transformative in a believer’s life. As we grow to know God more, we become more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our minds are renewed, perspectives shift, priorities change, and we increasingly think God’s thoughts after Him (Romans 12:2). Our actions, speech, love, joy, and peace begin to reflect the heart and character of God. The more we know our infinite, holy, loving Creator, the more we understand ourselves, others, and all of life from an eternal perspective.
The Knowledge of God Contrasts with Worldly Knowledge
The knowledge of God stands in stark contrast to worldly knowledge that leaves God out or exalts human understanding above God (1 Corinthians 1:20-25). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Any philosophy, science, pursuit of knowledge or understanding of the world that denies God or contradicts Scripture is foolishness before God. The knowledge of God guides us into all truth and shows the emptiness of living for anything other than God (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18).
The Knowledge of God Comes from God’s Self-Revelation
We can only know as much about God as He chooses to reveal to us. God is infinite, eternal and ultimately beyond human comprehension. Yet in His Word and through Jesus Christ, God has chosen to reveal Himself, His character, His truth, and His ways to humanity (Deuteronomy 29:29). Through the Holy Spirit, God illuminates His Word to those who seek Him (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). God promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us and will make His knowledge known to those who fear Him (James 4:8, Proverbs 1:7). As we humbly seek God, we can know Him truly while recognizing the limits of our finite understanding.
Knowing God’s Character and Attributes
A foundational aspect of knowing God is understanding His character and attributes as revealed in Scripture. God is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, righteous, holy, loving, merciful, gracious, faithful and good (Psalm 145, Exodus 34:6-7). He is perfect in all His attributes. Growing in the knowledge of God means marveling at the majesty, sovereignty, wisdom and glory of His being. It means knowing Him as a just Judge but also as a tender Father. As we meditate on Who God Is, we are humbled, sobered and filled with awe and worship.
Knowing God’s Will and Truth
To know God is to understand His will, His ways, His truth and His commandments (Hosea 6:6, John 8:31-32). Through His Word, God has revealed everything we need for life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3). As we study Scripture under the Spirit’s guidance, we grow in understanding God’s purposes, plans, values, ethics, priorities and instructions for all areas of life. We begin to view life through the lens of God’s truth rather than human philosophies. Knowing God means desiring to live in alignment with His will in every aspect of life.
Knowing God Intimately in Relationship
Most profoundly, knowing God refers to a deepening personal relationship with Him (Jeremiah 9:23-24). It is experiential rather than just intellectual. Through Christ, we have intimacy of relationship with God the Father as His dearly loved children (John 1:12-13). We know Him not just with our mind but in our heart and spirit. We know the joy of His presence, the comfort of His embrace, the security of resting in His love. Our relationship with God grows as we spend dedicated time before Him, walking in reverent fellowship. Just as human relationships require investment and communication, so too we grow to know God better in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Him.
Growing Continuously in the Knowledge of God
The knowledge of God is not static, but a lifelong process of growth (2 Peter 3:18). The apostle Paul was consumed with knowing Christ more (Philippians 3:8-14). As our relationship with God matures and deepens, we come to know Him in ever fuller ways. We never entirely grasp the depths of God’s wisdom, love and glory this side of eternity (1 Corinthians 13:12). But with the Holy Spirit’s help, our knowledge of God can keep increasing as we obediently walk with Him. Regularly studying God’s Word, communing with Him in prayer, and living out our faith fuels our growth in the knowledge of God.
Result of Knowing God More Deeply
As we grow in the knowledge of God, we become more like Christ and grow in spiritual maturity (Colossians 1:9-12). We increasingly view life from God’s perspective rather than our own limited view. Our love and awe for God expands, fueling greater worship. We live more fully unto God rather than ourselves. We treat others with the love, patience, kindness and compassion of Christ. Our knowledge of God shapes how we process difficulties, think, act, serve, work, relate and live each day. In every situation, the Holy Spirit uses our knowledge of God to guide, teach and conform us more to His image.
Hindrances to Knowing God
Sin and disobedience distance us from the knowledge of God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Pride, self-sufficiency, and spiritual apathy also hinder us from drawing close to God. Distracted living and failure to prioritize time in God’s Word limit our growth. Anything we love or pursue more than God blocks deeper knowledge of Him. Doubts, willful blindness, refusing to obey God’s truth, and distrust of God’s Word also stunt growth in knowing Him. As we humbly confess and repent of sin, God draws near to reveal more of Himself to us. Surrendering fully to God’s lordship prepares us to receive greater knowledge of Him.
Everyone Can Know God Personally
Knowing God is not just for an elite few, but available to all who come to Him through Christ (Matthew 11:25-30). Ordinary people can know their Creator. Even new believers can know God personally as their loving Father. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach believers and guide them into all truth (John 14:26, John 16:13). As we walk in reverent obedience to God’s Word, He rewards our seeking and reveals Himself to us more and more. What a glorious privilege to behold and know our infinite, magnificent, all-wise God!
Old Testament and Knowledge of God
The Old Testament paints a portrait of a holy, all-powerful, sovereign God who chose Israel to reveal Himself and draw humanity back to Himself after the Fall. God’s self-revelation to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets displayed His mercy, justice, might and knowledge. The Law and prophecies pointed to the coming Messiah who would make knowledge of God accessible to all. Figures like David modeled passion for knowing God: “O God . . . my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you” (Psalm 63:1). As Isaiah prophesied: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
New Testament and Knowledge of God
Jesus Christ perfectly revealed the character of God and made Him known to humanity (John 1:14, 18). The New Testament authors experienced deeply intimate knowledge of Christ and the gospel reveals how others can know God personally too. In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded His followers to spread the knowledge of God worldwide (Matthew 28:18-20). The early church powerfully preached the good news of God’s offer of salvation and relationship with Him through Christ. Paul’s letters provide rich insight into the glory of knowing Christ and excellency of that knowledge (Philippians 3:7-11). As John wrote: “I write to you . . . so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).
In Conclusion
The knowledge of God is the most eternally vital knowledge we can pursue in life. Through Christ, even imperfect people can know their perfect Creator. As we seek God wholeheartedly, He rewards our pursuit and reveals more of Himself to us. The knowledge of God is sweet to the soul of His children and transforms us to be more like Jesus. While we can never fully comprehend the infinite glories of our great God, what we can grasp draws us into greater awe, intimacy and obedience. The more we humbly seek and surrender to God, the more we experience the profound blessing of knowing Him.