Growing in Godliness: To Increase in Knowledge

The Word: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:9-12).

The Breakdown: Along with bearing fruit in every good work, those who walk worthy of the Lord are continually “increasing in the knowledge of God.” Paul not only prayed that the Colossians would be filled with “knowledge of His will,” but that they would also grow and increase their knowledge of who God is and what He is like. Spiritual growth for the Christian is directly connected with “increasing in the knowledge of God.” You grow spiritually as you grow in your relationship with the Lord—by knowing Him through His written Word and through prayer.

Activate: 1 Pet. 2:2 states, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” God’s Word is our pure spiritual milk that provides the nourishment and nutrition we need to grow. Just as babies cry out for milk, we should cry out for the Word. Just as we eat bread to sustain our physical lives, we need the Bible to sustain our spiritual lives, for as Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Are you feeding your spiritual life with what it needs to grow?

A Thought: In order to increase in the knowledge of God, we must be dedicated to studying and applying God’s Word. So, how dedicated are you to the Word of God? Do you depend on it daily just as you do for food? Be dedicated to God’s will so you can know God’s will and walk worthy!