What Happens When We Reject God’s Knowledge?
Imagine God observing our world today. He sees everything—our hopes, our struggles, our passions, and even the movements that rise in His name. In recent years, there’s been a noticeable surge in Christian nationalism: the mixing of religious identity with political ideology. Many who claim to follow Christ are at the forefront of this movement, but what would God say as He watches from above?
God’s Warning Through Hosea 4:6
One powerful verse comes to mind: Hosea 4:6. In it, God declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me” (ESV). This wasn’t just a warning to the ancient Israelites—it’s a message that echoes through time to all who claim His name.
What Does “Lack of Knowledge” Mean?
This “knowledge” isn’t about facts or trivia; it’s about truly knowing God, His Word, and His ways. When God talks about His people being destroyed for lack of knowledge, He means that they’ve turned away from understanding who He is and what He expects. It’s not ignorance by accident, but a willful neglect—a choice to ignore or reject God’s truth.
The Responsibility of Leadership
Hosea specifically calls out the priests, the spiritual leaders of Israel. They were supposed to guide the people in God’s law, but they neglected their duty. Because of this, God says, “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests.” This is a sobering reminder for anyone in leadership today—especially those who publicly identify as Christians. When leaders distort or ignore God’s teachings, they not only harm themselves but also mislead entire communities.
Consequences Across Generations
The verse also warns, “Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” This isn’t just about one generation’s failure; the choices we make about God’s Word affect our children and those who come after us. Spiritual neglect or deliberate distortion of God’s truths doesn’t just harm us—it has ripple effects far into the future.
Christian Nationalism and the Danger of Forgetting God
When people blend Christianity with political power, there’s a risk of forgetting the heart of the faith: love for God and neighbor, humility, justice, and mercy. Christian nationalism can tempt believers to use God’s name to pursue worldly ambitions, rather than seeking His will and wisdom. If we replace God’s true knowledge with our own agendas, we fall into the same trap as those in Hosea’s day.
Learning from the Past: A Call to Return
Hosea’s message is ultimately a call to return to God’s knowledge—to seek Him genuinely, study His Word, and live out His ways. God’s rejection is never arbitrary: it’s the result of our own choices to forget or dismiss Him. But He is always ready to welcome back those who humble themselves, seek understanding, and walk in His truth.
The Takeaway
If God is looking at our world and at those who profess Christianity today, He’s asking: Do you really know Me? Are you following My ways, or just using My name? Hosea 4:6 is a reminder that true faith isn’t just about belonging to a group or waving a banner—it’s about knowing and loving God, sharing His truth, and passing that legacy on to future generations. Let’s not be people destroyed for lack of knowledge, but people who seek to know God deeply and live out His love and justice in the world.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 