Regularly Checking Understanding and Application of Biblical Truth
Scripture consistently presents the human heart as the wellspring of life and action, requiring continual examination against divine truth. Proverbs 4:23 identifies the heart as the source from which "issues of life" flow [1], establishing why regular spiritual self-assessment matters. God himself models this scrutiny: he tries, knows, searches, and ponders the heart [1], understanding its thoughts and inclinations in ways that exceed human self-awareness.
The psalmist's prayer in Psalm 139:23—"Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" [2]—demonstrates the posture believers should adopt toward divine examination. This isn't passive resignation but active invitation, recognizing that God's searching reveals what self-examination cannot. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes describes turning both himself and his heart "to know and to search, and to seek out wisdom" [3], illustrating the deliberate, comprehensive nature of spiritual inquiry that encompasses both intellectual understanding and moral discernment.
The Knowledge That Transforms
Biblical knowledge differs fundamentally from mere information acquisition. The Hebrew concept of knowing God "is always based on experience and relationship," comparable to intimate human connection [8]. To know the Lord means entering a relationship "in which we are always learning who he is and what he wants us to do" [8]. This experiential dimension explains why Paul prays for believers to receive "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" [4]—cognitive assent alone proves insufficient.
The connection between understanding and obedience appears throughout Scripture. Paul instructs believers to "walk worthy of the Lord" by "bearing fruit" and "growing by the full knowledge of God" [7], linking ethical conduct directly to deepening comprehension. John Gill notes that "true knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it" [7], collapsing any distinction between knowing truth and applying it.
Mutual Accountability
The author of Hebrews exhorts believers to act as overseers for one another, "looking diligently" lest anyone "fail of the grace of God" [5]. This watching involves both doctrinal vigilance—examining whether members "imbibe false doctrines"—and moral oversight concerning how they "live" [5]. Christ's repeated declaration "I know" to the seven churches [6] establishes the standard: he knows their "activities," "circumstances," theology, and capacity to "tell what is true and what is false" [6]. Believers must cultivate similar discernment within their communities, regularly testing both doctrine and practice against revealed truth.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heart, The — Issues of life are out of -- Pr 4:23. God Tries. -- 1Ch 29:17; Jer 12:3. Knows. -- Ps 44:21; Jer 20:12. Searched. -- 1Ch 28:9; Jer 17:10. Understands the thoughts of. -- 1Ch 28:9; Ps 139:2. Ponders. -- Pr 21:2; 24:12. Influences. -- 1Sa 10:26; Ezr 6:22; 7:27; Pr 21:1; Jer 20:9. Creates a new. -- Ps 51:10; Eze 36:26. Prepares. -- 1Ch 29:18; Pr 16:1. Opens. -- Ac 16:14. Enlightens. -- 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:18. Strengthens. -- Ps 27:14. Establishes. -- Ps 112:8; 1Th 3:13. Should be Prepared to God. -- 1Sa 7:3. Given to God. -- Pr 23:26. Perfect with God. -- 1Ki 8:”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 7:25 (YLT) — I have turned round, also my heart, to know and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and reason, and to know the wrong of folly, and of foolishness the madness.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:17 cross-references: Genesis 41:38, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 24:7, Psalms 24:10, Psalms 29:3, Proverbs 2:5, Isaiah 11:2, Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 10:1, Matthew 6:13, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 11:27, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 20:33, Luke 2:14, Luke 12:12, Luke 21:15, John 8:54, John 14:17, John 14:26, John 16:3, John 17:3, John 17:25, John 20:17, Acts 6:10, Acts 7:2, Romans 1:28, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:6, 2 Corinthians 12:1, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 3:5,”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 12:14: Looking diligently,.... Acting the part of bishops, or overseers, as the word signifies; and so this exhortation either respects officers of the church of the Hebrews, whose business it was more especially to inspect into the principles and practices of the members of it, and take care that they did not imbibe false doctrines, or live immoral lives; or rather the several members of the church, whose business it is to watch over one another, since this epistle seems to be written to the whole church. Lest any man fail of the grace of God; not the free favour and lo”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 2:2: 2:2-3 I know: This repeated refrain (2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15) shows Christ’s total knowledge of his people, their activities, and their circumstances. • The Ephesian Christians had a correct theology marked by perseverance and faithfulness. They had examined various claims, exercised discipline on evil people, could tell what is true and what is false, and had patiently suffered for their faith in Christ.”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:10: Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord-- (Eph 4:1). unto--so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing--literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful--Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing) in the knowledge of God (or as the oldest manuscripts read, 'growing BY the full knowledge of God')"; thus, as the Gospel word (Col 1:6) was said to ”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 6:7: 6:7 Then you will know that I am the Lord: The Hebrew word translated know is always based on experience and relationship. The same word is used to describe human sexual relations. To know God as Yahweh is not just to know abstract facts about him, but to be in a relationship with him in which we are always learning who he is and what he wants us to do. This is the only true rescue from the human predicament of sin described in Gen 3–11. The importance of “knowing the Lord” in the book of Exodus is seen in its recurrence, especially in Exod 5–18 (5:2; 7:5, 17; 8:10”