Why Spiritual Understanding Still Matters Today
About six years ago, I felt an impression deep within my spirit: “My people do not know my word, nor do they know my ways.” At the time, I remembered words like these showing up in different places in the Bible, and I sensed that this message wasn’t just for people back then—it’s for us today.
As I look around now, it’s hard to ignore. Even among Christians, the way we sometimes act shows that we’ve missed the mark. Jesus clearly told His disciples to share the good news with everyone, yet if we’re honest, the Church today often looks a lot like the children of Israel did in the past—lost, distracted, and spiritually distant.
Let’s break down what this phrase, “My people do not know my word,” really means, and why it matters for us right now.
What Does It Mean to “Know God’s Word”?
First, the Bible isn’t just a history book or a collection of rules. To know God’s word is to understand His heart, His ways, and His desires for us. It’s about more than being familiar with Bible stories or verses—it’s about letting God’s truth shape how we live, think, and love.
God wants us to have a real relationship with Him. In the Bible, “knowing” God isn’t just head knowledge; it’s personal—it’s obedience, love, and trust in action.
What Happens When We Miss It?
The Bible gives us strong warnings about what happens when we don’t know—or don’t care to know—God’s word or ways.
· Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Without God’s truth, we stumble through life making poor choices.
· Jeremiah 4:22 puts it bluntly: “My people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’ in doing evil, but how to do good they know not.” In other words, people end up thinking they’re smart, but they’ve lost their moral compass.
· Isaiah 1:3 uses a simple picture: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Even animals know who takes care of them, but God’s people had forgotten the One who truly loves and provides for them.
· John 1:11 and John 8:43 show this struggle continued—even when Jesus came, His own people didn’t recognize or accept Him, because they weren’t open to hearing His word.
Why Does This Still Matter?
It’s easy to read these verses and point fingers at people in the past, but the truth is, this warning is for us. God wants more than tradition or routine—He wants a living relationship with each of us.
When we don’t know God’s ways, we drift. We get caught up in our own plans, the pressures of life, or what everyone else is doing. That leads to confusion, mistakes, and sometimes real pain.
But when we seek God—when we ask, listen, and want to know Him—our lives start to change from the inside out. We become people of hope, love, and purpose, and that’s something the world desperately needs.
How Can We Respond?
· Make time to actually read and reflect on the Bible, not just rely on secondhand opinions.
· Ask God for understanding. It’s okay if you don’t “get” everything at once—He meets us where we are.
· Be honest with yourself about where you’ve drifted or settled for less.
· Look for ways to live out what you learn, not just talk about it.
· Encourage those around you to do the same—not out of judgment, but out of love.
Final Thoughts
The heart of God’s message is simple: He wants us to truly know Him—not just about Him, but to walk with Him daily. The Bible shows us over and over what happens when we lose sight of that and the hope we find when we return.
If you’ve felt distant or unsure, you’re not alone. God’s invitation is open: Know My word. Learn My ways. Walk with Me. That’s the call—and it still matters now, more than ever.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 