The War for the Knowledge of God

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 NKJV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

The enemy doesn’t want us to know Him!

What is the knowledge of God?

Ephesians 1:17–20 NKJV

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may 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 exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

How do we get it?

Seek!!!

Matthew 7:7–8 NKJV

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Colossians 3:1–2 NKJV

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Are you seeking Him? Or do you have more important things to do with your time?

Why is it so important?

If you know God’s goodness, you’ll trust Him!

If you know God’s power, you’ll pray!

If you know God’s love, you’ll have peace! You’ll tell people about Him!

Because the enemy knows, if you understand Him, you’ll put Him first.

What place should God have?

Why should God have first place?

Luke 8:14 NKJV

14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Matthew 13:22 NKJV

22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Mark 4:18–19 NKJV

18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

The enemy’s tactic is to make us think other things are more important!

We just have to get this one thing down: nothing is more important. Nothing should be higher priority. His kingdom is more important than our kingdom. His grace is more necessary to us than even our own food! His love is better than drugs or alcohol. His peace is more satisfying than lust, promotions, bonuses, getting recognized by your teacher, anything this world could offer. We all know to seek those things -> but God promises that if we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, He’ll add all those to us. The key is that He’s first.

Is He first?

What if you put Him first? What would it look like?

I don’t mean, what if you wanted to put Him first. What if you actually put Him and his Kingdom, first?

If ANYTHING ELSE is first in your life, your knowledge of Him is broken.

What a deception! That anything could ever possibly be more important!

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” ― C.S. Lewis