Episode Overview
Title: The Greater Knowledge Of God, Part One
Speaker: Morgan Dufresne
Date & Location: November 23, 2020 | World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
This episode centers on the importance of pursuing greater knowledge of God and His Word. Morgan Dufresne explores the difference between reacting to life with feelings versus operating from knowledge and revelation that come from scripture. She challenges listeners to develop a mindset rooted in spiritual understanding instead of being governed by emotions or circumstances, beginning a series on how to gain and apply spiritual knowledge.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Supernatural Perspective vs. the Natural Realm (00:30–09:00)
- Morgan establishes that life contains two realms: the natural (what we see, feel, and experience) and the supernatural (the unseen realm of the spirit, where God's reality operates).
- Becoming born again means entering God's family in both realms.
- The natural world and physical possessions are temporary, but the spiritual realm is eternal.
- God sees our situations from a heavenly, victorious perspective—we can adopt that perspective through faith and knowledge.
Notable Quote
"What He knows and what He sees is not based on the natural. I cannot emphasize that enough... It's only based by what is going on in the supernatural realm."
—Morgan Dufresne (02:55)
2. The Danger of Lack of Knowledge (09:01–20:30)
- Text focus: Hosea 4:6 – "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
- Israel turned to idols, operated carnally, and suffered as a result of neglecting God’s knowledge.
- Problems in life (marital struggles, financial issues, etc.) are framed as stemming from a lack of spiritual knowledge, not simply from carnal desires.
- Knowledge is a lifelong pursuit; revelation from God's Word is not a one-time event but needs daily renewal.
Notable Quote
"Whatever is going to satisfy and bring relief to you coming from pressure from the outside, whatever you think is going to bring relief to your flesh, will only bring hardship, discouragement, and frustration to the real you on the inside."
—Morgan Dufresne (13:48)
3. Feeding on the Word and Mind Renewal (20:31–32:40)
- Turn to Romans 12:2:
- Do not conform to the world but be transformed by renewing your mind.
- Morgan draws a parallel with Joshua’s need to meditate on God’s word in order to bring Israel into the Promised Land.
- Natural food fades, but God’s Word needs continual consumption to remain effective in our lives.
- Revelation is living and must be revisited often—knowledge needs constancy for spiritual sustenance.
Notable Quote
"What you fed on yesterday's manna is not going to last you even through the end of the week... The Word of God is so good, we can return over and over, morning, noon, and night."
—Morgan Dufresne (23:44)
4. Carnal Mind vs. Renewed Mind: Feelings vs. Knowledge (32:41–46:29)
- Critical distinction: A carnal mind clings to feelings; a renewed mind clings to knowledge.
- Feelings are ever-present, but believers are urged not to be ruled by them.
- Carnal thinking is not just about sinful or natural thoughts; it includes any thought contrary to God's goodness and promise.
- The spiritual realm contains our victory—hell has already seen its defeat, but we step into victory by knowing, not just believing.
Notable Quote
"A carnal mind looks to feelings, but a renewed mind clings to knowledge. Knowing comes before believing."
—Morgan Dufresne (35:57)
5. Offense and the Role of Wrong Thinking (46:30–54:20)
- Offense described: It is wrong thinking energized by wrong feelings.
- Many seek to overcome offense by spiritual activity (e.g., praying in the Spirit), but lasting victory comes from renewing the mind with God’s Word.
- Our actions toward others often reflect our self-talk and thought life.
Notable Quotes
"Offense is wrong thinking, energized by feelings."
—Morgan Dufresne (50:03)
"If we get our thinking right, wrong feelings and wrong emotions have nothing to energize."
—Morgan Dufresne (53:30)
6. Living as Lifelong Students and Relying on the Shepherd (54:21–59:50)
- Christians should be lifelong students of God’s Word, likened to sheep dependent on the Shepherd.
- The Shepherd (God) provides, heals, restores—believers access those provisions through knowledge.
- Stepping away from knowledge leads to worry and magnifying problems over God.
Notable Quote
"You don't have to take care of yourself. You don't have to heal yourself. You don't have to provide for yourself. The Great Shepherd wants to do that. But how do we access all that He's provided? That's through knowledge."
—Morgan Dufresne (57:20)
7. Wisdom, Stability, and Discipline from Knowledge (59:51–01:06:45)
- Turn to James 1: If you lack wisdom, ask God—He gives liberally.
- Those without wisdom are unstable in all they think, feel, and decide.
- True discipline: Keeping your knowing ahead of your feelings. Discipline in the Christian life is not mere spiritual routines but anchoring oneself in knowledge and revelation.
Notable Quotes
"True discipline is keeping your knowing ahead of your feelings."
—Morgan Dufresne (01:01:13)
"We're not here to get rid of pressure. We're here to stay steadfast, have patience and endurance... We will not be moved, we will be steadfast, we will be stable. What does knowledge do? Knowledge keeps you stable."
—Morgan Dufresne (01:03:46)
8. Barometric Pressure Analogy: Stability Amid Change (01:06:46–01:11:55)
- Morgan shares an analogy: like changing barometric pressure brings new clouds and snow, life brings changing pressures.
- When pressure changes, people’s perspectives are often clouded; but one rooted in spiritual knowledge maintains clarity and stability.
- Don’t let circumstances, "weather patterns," determine your outlook—rely on God’s unchanging Word.
Notable Quote
"We are not to live according to weather patterns. We're not to be tossed to and fro because when pressure changes, when pressure comes on us... We are to be faith people. Faith people only rest on the knowledge and wisdom of God's Word."
—Morgan Dufresne (01:09:55)
9. God's Plan Needs Revelation, Not Motivation (01:11:56–end)
- Human plans require motivation; God’s plans require revelation.
- Knowledge is likened to picking fruit—revelation is the meat and seeds within.
- The episode closes by urging listeners to seek revelation through knowledge, not rely on external motivators.
Notable Quote
"Many of man's plans need motivation to fulfill it. But God's plan only needs revelation."
—Morgan Dufresne (01:13:50)
Section Timestamps
- Introduction & Theme: 00:00–01:10
- Two Realms, the New Birth, and Heaven's View: 01:10–09:00
- Hosea 4:6 and the Consequence of Lack of Knowledge: 09:01–20:30
- Daily Consumption of the Word, Romans 12:2: 20:31–32:40
- Carnal vs. Renewed Mind—Feelings vs. Knowledge: 32:41–46:29
- Offense and Wrong Thinking: 46:30–54:20
- Discipline, Lifelong Learning, Shepherd Analogy: 54:21–59:50
- James 1—Stability Through Wisdom and Knowledge: 59:51–01:06:45
- Pressure Analogy, Maintaining Spiritual Clarity: 01:06:46–01:11:55
- Motivation vs. Revelation; Closing Thoughts: 01:11:56–end
Memorable Moments
- "Knowing comes before believing." (35:57)
- "If we get our thinking right, wrong feelings and wrong emotions have nothing to energize." (53:30)
- The barometric pressure/weather analogy for life’s pressures and how knowledge keeps us steady. (01:06:46–01:11:55)
- “Many of man's plans need motivation to fulfill it. But God's plan only needs revelation.” (01:13:50)
Summary Tone & Style
The episode maintains a warm, earnest, and emphatic teaching style, as Morgan Dufresne passionately encourages listeners to deepen their knowledge of God, laying the groundwork for further exploration throughout the announced series. The teaching is accessible, filled with practical analogies, and grounded in scripture, aimed at empowering Christians to live stable, victorious lives anchored in revelation rather than reaction.