Knowing God vs. Knowing a god
As a believer/Christ follower and Christian you’d think and make the assumption that we truly know God right? Honestly you’d be amazed at the amount of believers and Christians that truly do not. They only know of God while worshipping another god. This is something that I know every new as well as seasoned Christian has struggled with at some point in their journey, and some may be struggling with it right now. It’s something you may not realize that you’re doing so it’s important to get and pay attention to the God you may know. I know it’s something that I constantly have to make sure to keep in check for myself. So I wanted to provide you with some ways to help you know the difference, which is based off my experience as well as what I’ve noticed. Sometimes we can think that just because we read our bible occasionally, maybe daily, attend church even periodically that we have only 1 God in our life. I’m here to tell you that you can do all of that cross you “t’s” and dot you “i’s” and still not be worshipping the right God. So let’s see what the difference between the two.
Knowing God is a beautiful thing because he’s an awesome God. However to know God you must be constantly in his word and studying his word. (Joshua 1:8). You also need to be constantly seeking a relationship with God which looks different to each person because He created us all different. The relationship with God must take priority over everything. Wait EVERYTHING? YES, I mean EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. No matter how busy you are you must maintain a relationship with God, because when you don’t that’s where you make whatever is occurring your time a god. That is also how we become confused with thinking we are worshipping God but yet won’t get off social media to read or study His word, stay on the phone gossiping instead of praying for the situation, staying busy with hate instead of forgiving, staying glued to our phones for social approval instead of wanting the approval of the one who created us. That would be the god you’re replacing the real God for, and that’s the difference between knowing God verse knowing a god. I am not saying that you aren’t busy or may have a hectic schedule, but when you get that break what are you doing with it? Scrolling, watching Netflix, on social media, on the phone or are you squeezing some time in with God? When you can’t give God the proper place in your life to pursue a relationship then you have a god before Him. That is you god and what you are giving priority to outside of Him. I am not saying you have to strip your responsibilities that He’s given you NO, but I am saying you need to know when you’re responsiblities have become your god.
I will give you some tips to help you keep not only the one true God number one, but also how you can keep in communication with him to keep your day centered with him. You can try some of these and see what works for you and if you have any different things you may have tried and want to share to help someone else please share them. Also I will provide scriptures to support you in knowing God vs. knowing a god.
Wake up early to spend and start your day with God. I know it may be hard but trust me your day would be so much better starting it with God early in the morning in the quiet.
If weather permits start going on a prayer walk, bike ride, or just sitting outside with God and being in nature with Him. You’d be amazed at the way he speaks to you during that time.
Set an alarm to pray. Now this been something I’ve been doing consistently and this helps so much with keeping Him in my day. I have two alarms set for certain times and when they go off I stop what i’m doing and pray and spend some time talking to God.
Try to end your day with God instead of a TV show or social media. Try reading your bible or do a quick bible study over something that you struggled with that day, and pray over it and leave it to Jesus. I guarantee that your sleep will be so much more peaceful.
Go on lunch date or date with God. Yes grab your bible and go to your favorite place to eat or stay in and cook yourself a healthy meal and plan a spend time with God. Do a bible study, pray, vent ,etc. Just be with Him and give Him the time He deserves. Put your phone on do not disturb.
Instead of music on the way to work or audible book etc. Try listening to the Bible instead and praying on your commute.
These are just a few tips that I’ve used, try them out and let me know what you think. Try doing a bible study with these scriptures to reveal where you may have idols in your life. Reflect and meditate on these scriptures to remind you of the difference between knowing God and knowing a god.
Have a Blessed day and Thank you so much for taking the time to read.
Scriptures to Reference:
Exodus 20:3-6
Jonah 2:8,9
Habakkuk 2:18
Psalms 115:4-8
Galatians 4:8,9
1Corinthians 10:14
1 John 5:21
