Grow In The Knowledge Of God And Do Away With Unbelief

“Trust God”, we hear it all the time and say it all the time. Its even become a cliché to many of us. But a hard thing to do sometimes. Why? Well I think many factors are involved. First, our sinful nature, our circumstances, our surroundings, or lack of devotion for God and His Word. I think overall many of us don’t want to doubt God (and He knows that). Like the Apostle Paul said, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” (romans 7:19) Thank God for Jesus! That regardless of our weaknesses God loves us and desires to help us grow in trusting Him.

Every Christian grows in their faith threw out their Christian walk. Its not something that happens overnight. How can we grow in our faith? Praying obviously is one of the main things involved but overall, the Word of God is essential for faith growth. We must submerse in the Scriptures and see how worthy God is of our trust.

Growing in the knowledge of God is essential in the Christian walk. I’m not just talking about and outer knowledge of Him but deeply knowing Him. When I was engaged with my husband, I loved just listening to Him because every time we would talk, I always learned something new about Him. Now (4 years after) I Know more about Him that I did, but I’m still learning and seeing things I didn’t know 4 years ago. And you know what? I love him more now that I did 4 years ago. Our knowledge of each other has put our love in a deeper level, a more mature one. One that doesn’t brake easily when problems arise.

Two of my favorite portions in the Bible are: Ephesians 1:5-19 and Colossians1:9-12:

• Ephesians 1:5-19 (NASB)

“5 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe…”

It fascinates me when I read how Paul mentions to the brothers of Ephesus that he is praying that God would give the a “Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the Knowledge of Him.” He could have prayed that God give them courage or that God would make them great preachers but instead he prays that they know God more deeply.

John MacArthur wrote about Ephesians 1:17-18 in his Study Bible: “The MacArthur Study Bible”

"A spirit of wisdom…hope(V17): Paul was praying that believers will have the disposition of godly knowledge and insight of which the sanctified mind is capable, so as to grasp the greatness of the hope and the inheritance that is theirs in Christ."

"The eyes of your heart may be enlightened(V18): A spiritually enlightened mind, is the only means of truly understanding and appreciating the hope and inheritance in Christ and of living obediently for Him. "

Again, Paul tells them that he is praying that their hearts be “enlightened” so that they may “know…” Have you ever felt like God is trying to speak to you but there’s something keeping you from hearing? Have you ever felt like you want to see what God is trying to tell you, like you want to see His truth but there is a light vail keeping you from seeing? Can it be your unbelief? Maybe you haven’t truly grasped His truth?

“Lord God, enlighten my heart, enlighten my hard heart so that I may know you, so that I may see you and fall in love with you. Help me grasp your truth and believe.”

Paul tells the brothers in Ephesus, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know...

1. What is the hope of His calling

2. What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

3. What is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. The Same power the resurrected Jesus from the dead.

What amazing things comes from growing in the knowledge of God’s person.

To the churches in Colossae Paul writes to them something very similar:

• Colossians 1:9-12 (NASB)

"9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the [k]knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."

Paul and the others with him, were praying unceasingly that the brothers would grow in the Knowledge of God’s will. Paul new how important this was for every Christian. The brothers in Colossae were being disturbed by this false teaching (Gnosticism) it was necessary that they grew in the knowledge of God and His will so that they may remain firm; and not fallow the false teachings around them.

Notice that this is not some superficial knowledge: one that can be gained by human resources. Rather it’s in all “spiritual wisdom and understanding”. It’s a divine wisdom and understanding; one that only the Holy Spirit can give. Growing in the knowledge of God and His will comes from the Holy Spirit threw the Word of God. We can read and memorize the Scriptures but if the Holy Spirit doesn’t “enlightened us” or “open the eyes of our heart” we will not truly grasp the truth of God. This is where prayer comes in.

Lord, enlighten my eyes so that I may be able to see your truth, and enlighten my heart that I may receive it. Help me grow in the Knowledge of your person and your perfect will. Give me the divine wisdom and understanding that only You can give me through your Holy Spirit.

Look at the amazing result that comes from knowing God’s will….

In Colossians 1:9-12; Paul says “so that”; saying that the outcome of knowing the will of God is:

1. so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,

2. bearing fruit in every good work

3. increase in the knowledge of God

4. strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,

5. for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Applying this truth to the topic of unbelief: Unbelief creeps up on us like a predator stalking its prey. If we aren’t on watch it will catch us and tangle us in its web of lies. Unbelief is one of the main things satan uses to stray us from God. He wants to make us doubt in God’s goodness, attributes, and love. But we must know the truth about God, and we must hold on to it firmly.

Jesus said in John 8:31;32;36 “if you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and if you will know the truth, then the truth will make you free…so if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

Amen! Free from doubt! Free from Sin! Free from condemnation! Free, only in our Savior Jesus Christ.

“God is amazing!” I know we say that all the time and we believe it but let us look into His amazingness deeper and closer. “God is so satisfying!” Come! Let us look into just how satisfying He is to our being. “God is faithful!” Brethren let us dig deep into all His promises. Let’s see how faithful He has been in keeping all His promises in our lives. “God is able!” Let us read with much care; and observe His power and Divine Attributes through the Scriptures. Read with much diligence like a man digging for treasure. Pray that our Father bless you with Divine wisdom, that he may enlighten your heart to truly grasp His truth! “I want to see Lord!” Only threw His Holy Spirit and His Word, will we be able to see how God’s Power has too been so present in our lives.