How Do You Know You Truly Know God?
In a culture where many claim to know God or identify as believers, how can you be sure your faith is genuine? The Bible doesn’t leave us guessing. It provides objective tests that cut through self-deception and offer real assurance.
Two powerful passages — 1 John 2:3-6 and Romans 8:9 — work together beautifully: one shows the outward evidence of faith, and the other reveals the inward power that makes it possible.
The Test of Obedience: 1 John 2:3-6
“This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments. One who says, ‘I know him,’ and doesn’t keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps His word. This is how we know that we are in Him: he who says he remains in Him ought himself also to walk just like He walked.”
John’s message is direct and loving. Knowing God isn’t just saying the right words or attending church — it shows in a life of obedience.
v. 3: Keeping God’s commandments is how we know we know Him.
v. 4: Claiming to know Him while habitually disobeying makes one a liar.
v. 5: Obedience perfects God’s love in us.
v. 6: If we say we abide in Christ, we must walk as Jesus walked — in love, holiness, humility, and truth.
Jesus Himself explained why some people resist this light in John 3:19-21:
“This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”
This is why many claim “I know Him” yet live unchanged — they prefer darkness because it hides their sin. True believers come to the light. Their works are exposed (and cleansed), and they walk in obedience because the Holy Spirit gives them new desires.
The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and doesn’t keep His commandments is a liar… A claim without a life of obedience is a lie.” Obedience isn’t the root of salvation but the fruit that proves it’s real.
The Indwelling Holy Spirit: Romans 8:9
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
You cannot walk as Jesus walked in your own power. The Holy Spirit is the decisive proof that you belong to Christ. No Spirit = not His. With the Spirit comes conviction of sin, desire for holiness, and power to obey.
The Spirit doesn’t just help us obey — He lives in us and produces the fruit that 1 John describes.True believers are no longer controlled by the flesh but by the indwelling Spirit, leading to progressive sanctification.
How the Passages Connect: Evidence + Power
Obedience (1 John) is the visible evidence. The Holy Spirit (Romans 8) is the invisible power that makes it possible. True faith isn’t “trying harder.” It’s being born again by the Spirit, who writes God’s law on our hearts and empowers us to walk like Jesus. This is why Martin Luther insisted that genuine faith is never alone — it “works through love” (Galatians 5:6) and produces good fruit.
Josh Howerton addresses this head-on in his message “Am I an Unsaved ‘Christian’?”: Many look Christian on the outside but lack saving faith on the inside. External religion without heart transformation is one of the most dangerous spiritual states.
Wes Huff, a leading Christian apologist, reminds us that the gospel isn’t mere moralism or following Jesus as a good example. It’s a transformative encounter with the risen Savior who changes us from the inside out.
Many stand near the light but remain in the shadows. The true believer steps into it.
Real-Life Application: Examine Your Life Today
Here are practical questions drawn straight from these passages:
Do I delight in God’s Word and strive to obey it, even when it’s costly?
When I sin, am I convicted and quick to repent, or do I make excuses?
Is there growing evidence of Christlike character (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.)?
Do I rely on the Holy Spirit daily through prayer and dependence?
Illustration: Think of two people who claim to know Christ. One says “Lord, Lord” but lives unchanged. The other stumbles but gets back up, hates their sin, and pursues holiness by the Spirit’s power. Only the second has the marks of genuine faith.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
If these questions reveal gaps, don’t panic — this is why Christ came. Repent, believe the gospel afresh, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you.
Sample Prayer: “Lord Jesus, search my heart. If I’ve been self-deceived, expose it. I confess my sin and my need for You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can keep Your commandments and walk as You walked. Thank You that true assurance comes from You, not my performance. Amen.”