During a recent conversation with the Lord, He pointed something out to me: there is a huge difference between knowing a person and knowing of a person. There are a lot of people in our everyday lives that we merely know of but we don’t honestly know them. For example, I know of many people I once worked with, went to school with or were once friends with but now I merely have memories or we might talk from time to time. But I do not honestly know them on a personal level. I may have at one time but that is no longer true. Now there are others in my life that I know personally. I would feel completely comfortable vouching for them because I know them well enough. Matt is an obvious answer, because I know him better than anyone else. But I am talking about people that are our friends, co-workers, neighbors and church family. Not about those in the community who you’ve heard their name or at one time was sort of a friend or a bit more than just an acquaintance; these types we do not know. I’m talking about people who are actually our friends who we talk to more than once a week, those we help out, do things with regularly, do more than just attend church with, and work with. I would say there is a small group of people that I honestly know. I know their character because I have personally witnessed their true character in different situations. If I were told some rumor or juicy gossip about them, I should think twice about what I was being told because I personally know them. My relationship with them is more than just knowing of them. This is something we should honestly consider when we begin to hear rumors, gossip and then share such things. Do we honestly know this person that is being spoken about? Does this really speak to their true character because I’ve witnessed my own self a different person? I know you are going to say that people can fool you. Yes this is true but as adults we should already know that rumors, gossip and sharing lies we’ve heard, does not speak well of our own character especially as children of God. We should also consider the fact that as time goes on we shouldn’t hold such rumors against them any longer. First off, we never knew if those things were true to begin with and holding “rumors” like that against someone doesn’t help them nor ourselves.

This also made me think of a time before I knew God. I knew of Him, but I did not honestly know Him. There is such a huge difference because this entire world knows of God. Every single person has heard of God in some fashion or form. BUT not every single person knows God for themselves. Not everyone seeks a honest relationship with God because they think they are happy staying in the lies, in the rumors and in the gossip. They share half truths just so others will agree with them and keep God at bay. They’ll shape “stories” and events (God gossip) to make God sound the way they want Him to so they don’t feel conviction. You see when you hear actual truth about a person, you can rely on it, you can stand on it and you can build upon it. When you hear lies; reliability, there’s no strength and there’s no solid foundation. Truth will cause the lies to crumble. Knowing God brings change into your life, into your heart. Knowing God washes a black heart white as snow. Knowing God drives out all lies. Knowing God produces truth. Knowing God brings pure joy, happiness, love and stability into your life. It’s my prayer that everyone actually knows God in an extremely personal way. I pray that everyone would see there’s more to knowing God versus knowing of Him.

Lord God, please forgive me for the time in my life that I only knew of You. Thank You for the moment that You revealed Yourself to me and came into my heart. From that moment on I have known exactly who You are Lord and I seek after You and Your righteousness. Help me to always remember that when rumors, lies and gossip come to my ears that I need not entertain such talk.