Why Knowing God’s Plan Isn’t Enough: The Danger of Intellectual Faith
In 1 Chronicles 14:2, we read a profound statement about King David: "And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel."
At first glance, this verse might seem like a simple acknowledgment of God’s plan. But when I digged deeper, I've found that the Hebrew word for "knew" here is יָדַע (yada')—a word that carries a weight of meaning far beyond intellectual understanding.
David didn’t just know about God’s plan in his head; he knew it in his heart, his soul, and his spirit. This was a deep, relational, and emotional knowing—a yada' that transformed the way he lived, ruled, and trusted God - well, for the most part.
But what does this kind of knowing look like for us today? And how has God wired our brains and nervous systems to make this kind of connection possible? After all, God has created us in his image. We are intricately woven together - mind, body and spirit - designed to know God deeply. Every single cell and biological system inside of us has a specific purpose in our body.
The Origin and Meaning of Yada'
The Hebrew word יָדַע (yada') comes from a rich linguistic tradition. Its root can be traced back to the Proto-Semitic language (reconstructed using a family of languages that includes Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic and others), where it carried the idea of "knowing" in a holistic sense—intellectually, relationally, and experientially.
In the Bible, yada' is used to describe everything from Adam knowing Eve (Genesis 4:1) to God knowing His people intimately (Jeremiah 1:5). It’s a word that encompasses the full spectrum of human experience, from the mind to the heart to the soul.
When David knew that God had established him as king, it wasn’t just a fact he acknowledged. It was a truth he felt in his bones, a reality he lived out in his relationship with God. This is the kind of knowing God desires from us—not just intellectual assent, but a deep, emotional connection.
The Neuroscience of Knowing God
God has wired our brains and nervous systems in a way that allows us to know Him on multiple levels. Here’s how:
The Prefrontal Cortex: Intellectual Knowing
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, and understanding. It’s what allows us to study Scripture, learn about God’s character, and grasp His promises. But intellectual knowing is only the beginning. As we see in the story of Uzza (1 Chronicles 13:9-10), knowing God’s plan in your head isn’t enough. Uzza knew the ark was sacred, but he didn’t trust God’s instructions. When he reached out to steady the ark, he was struck dead. His intellectual knowing wasn’t paired with a deeper, relational trust in God.The Limbic System: Emotional Knowing
The limbic system, which includes the amygdala and hippocampus, is the emotional center of the brain. It’s where we process feelings like love, joy, and trust. This is the part of the brain that lights up when we feel God’s presence during worship, when we experience His comfort in times of sorrow, or when we sense His guidance in prayer. David’s yada' of God was deeply emotional. He wrote in Psalm 63:1, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." This wasn’t just theology—it was a cry of the heart.
The Default Mode Network: Spiritual Knowing
The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a network of brain regions that becomes active during introspection, meditation, and spiritual experiences. It’s what allows us to sense God’s presence in the quiet moments, to hear His voice in the stillness. This is where yada' becomes more than just knowledge—it becomes a living, breathing relationship. David often sought God in the quiet places, writing in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." This kind of knowing requires us to slow down, to listen, and to connect with God on a spiritual level.The Hippocampus: Remembering God’s Faithfulness
The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for forming and retrieving memories. It’s what allows us to remember God’s faithfulness in the past and trust Him for the future. David often reflected on God’s past deliverances, writing in Psalm 77:11, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." This kind of remembering strengthens our emotional connection with God and deepens our trust in His plan.
The Danger of Intellectual Knowing Alone
The story of Uzza is a sobering reminder of what happens when we rely solely on intellectual knowing. Uzza knew the ark was holy, but he didn’t trust God’s instructions. He tried to give God a "hand" by steadying the ark, and it cost him his life. This is the danger of intellectual faith—it can lead us to take matters into our own hands, to think we know better than God, or to believe that the end justifies the means.
David, on the other hand, had a yada' that went beyond the intellect. He trusted God’s timing, even when it didn’t make sense. He waited years to become king, even after Samuel anointed him. He sought God’s guidance in every decision - well again, almost always, and he poured out his heart to God in prayer and worship. This is the kind of knowing God desires from us—a knowing that transforms not just our minds, but our hearts and lives.
How to Cultivate a Deeper Knowing of God
It takes work. Many Christians mistakenly believe that God’s blessings and spiritual growth come effortlessly, forgetting that faith requires active pursuit, obedience, and a deepening relationship with Him. Newsflash: God’s not planning to drop a miracle care package from the sky. Why? Because He’s already packed you full of everything you need—biology, talents, wisdom, and a whole lot of divine potential. So stop waiting for a heavenly delivery and start unwrapping the gifts already inside you!
Moving from intellectual knowing to the deep, emotional, and relational connection of יָדַע (yada') requires intentional practices that engage not just our minds, but also our hearts, bodies, and spirits. Our entire beings. It's not something mystical. It's basic science - exactly how God wired us.
I discuss some of the most useful practical ideas I've found, to help me (and my clients) cultivate a deeper knowing of God in my next blog post.
For now, just know that it's important to spend time in worship, meditate on his faithfulness and trust His timing.
Conclusion: Moving from Head to Heart
David’s yada' of God wasn’t just about facts or plans—it was about relationship. It was about trusting God with his whole being, even when the path ahead was unclear. And this is the kind of knowing God desires from us today. He has wired our brains and nervous systems to connect with Him on every level—intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. But it’s up to us to move beyond intellectual knowing and into the deep, transformative relationship of yada'.
So let’s not be like Uzza, relying on our own understanding and trying to give God a hand. Instead, let’s be like David, who knew God deeply, trusted Him completely, and lived a life of worship and obedience. This is the kind of knowing that changes everything.
Ready to discover how God has uniquely wired you? Take the Motivational Gifts Survey and uncover your spiritual gifts!
