Knowing and Believing

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13 (KJV) emphasis mine

There is a knowing that comes from knowing the Scriptures; from study and memorization. Then there’s a knowing that comes by experience. For example, God heals you of a sickness and you know God as Jehovah Rapha- the God who heals (Exodus 15:26). Then, there’s a knowing that comes from schooling and education. There’s also a knowing that comes by divine revelation; God showing you things that you don’t know by natural means. This occurred when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:13-17). Then, there’s a knowing by an inner witness, the Holy Spirit bearing witness with our spirits. This inner witness, or inner knowing, lets you know things in your spirit before your head knows it.

God wants us to believe in Him and then believe Him for our daily needs. Sometimes we believe God and don’t see anything happen with our natural eyes. This is where faith comes in- knowing in our spirits that God will come through. We may not know how or when, but we know God will do it. That inner knowing bears witness that it will happen. That knowing is what comes into play when someone asks us how we know God is real, and we tell them that we can’t explain it- we just know. God has placed a supernatural “knowing” in us that He is.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; I Corinthians 12:8 (KJV)

This verse speaks of a word of knowledge, in which God lets us know certain information supernaturally. As we act in faith on the information provided, we see God work.

Knowing helps keep faith alive. If you’ve been waiting in faith for a long time for something to come to pass, you can remain immovable because you know in your heart what God has promised. God put that knowing in there.

Knowing can protect us. God may place in inner witness in us to warn us not to get involved with someone. We may not understand why, but we just know.

This inner knowing is a work of the Holy Spirit and is essential to the successful Christian walk. As we listen to what we know inside, we will be safe, protected, and prosperous in all areas of our lives.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God…. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:14, 16 (KJV)