What steps help us "know Him better" as Ephesians 1:17 encourages? The Heartbeat of the Verse Ephesians 1:17: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.” Paul prays for believers to move from merely knowing about God to knowing Him intimately. Scripture is precise: we receive this deeper knowledge through God-given “wisdom and revelation.” Below are practical, biblical steps that place us under the flow of that gift. Lean Into the Spirit’s Illumination • Recognize dependence: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). • Invite the Spirit daily: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). • Expect insight: The same Spirit who inspired Scripture now opens its meaning (1 Corinthians 2:12). Open the Word With Fresh Eyes • Read broadly and deeply, because “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). • Meditate: let phrases turn over in your mind (Psalm 1:2). • Memorize: hide verses in your heart to keep sin at bay and truth close (Psalm 119:11). • Trace themes: follow a thread—grace, covenant, redemption—across books to see God’s consistent character. Pray as Conversation, Not a Monologue • Prayer is the immediate context of Ephesians 1:17; make requests and then listen. • Align petitions with Scripture; echo Paul’s plea for wisdom and revelation. • Keep a journal of answered prayer; seeing patterns builds confidence in His nearness. Walk Out What You Learn • Obedience sharpens perception: “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me… and I will reveal Myself to him” (John 14:21). • Apply truth the same day you read it—generosity, forgiveness, purity—so knowledge moves from head to life. • Repent quickly when the Spirit convicts; unconfessed sin dulls spiritual senses (Psalm 32:3-4). Stay Among God’s People • Corporate worship: “Proclaim His handiwork” together (Psalm 19:1). • Mutual encouragement: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). • Receiving teaching: God appoints pastors and teachers “to equip the saints” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Practice Continual Thanksgiving and Worship • Gratitude re-orients the heart to recognize God’s hand (1 Thessalonians 5:18). • Sing truth: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). • Celebrate answered prayer; it fuels expectancy for deeper revelation. Share What You’re Shown • Testimony solidifies insight: “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you” (1 John 1:3). • Teaching others multiplies understanding—Philemon 6 notes that sharing faith “deepens your understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” • Evangelism keeps your knowledge outward-facing and love-driven. Keep Expecting More God is infinite; knowing Him better is a lifelong journey. As you pursue these steps, the “eyes of your heart” (Ephesians 1:18) will keep opening wider, and the fellowship promised in Ephesians 1:17 will become daily reality. |
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