Spiritual Gifts Part 2 - Word of Wisdom, and Word of Knowledge

My First paragraph with bold text.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential for the church today, particularly the gifts of wisdom and knowledge. While the Bible doesn't provide extensive explanations of these gifts, we can still understand their purpose and function in our lives.

What is the Word of Wisdom?

In 1 Corinthians 12:8, Paul mentions "the word of wisdom through the spirit" as one of the spiritual gifts. Though this is the only place where this specific phrase appears in Scripture, the Bible has plenty to say about wisdom in general.

The book of Proverbs emphasizes that wisdom is more valuable than silver, gold, or rubies. It promises that wisdom brings long life, riches, honor, and happiness. We're even commanded to seek wisdom - James 1:5 tells us, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you."

However, the gift of a word of wisdom is different from general wisdom. It's a supernatural ability to give wise advice for a specific situation. The emphasis is on "a word" - it must be spoken and shared, not just kept as head knowledge.

Biblical Example of the Word of Wisdom

A powerful example of the word of wisdom in action appears in Genesis 41 with Joseph. When Pharaoh had troubling dreams that no one could interpret, Joseph not only interpreted them (revealing seven good years followed by seven years of famine) but also provided supernatural wise advice:

"Therefore Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years..."

This advice wasn't just Joseph's clever thinking - it was divinely inspired wisdom that saved an entire nation. Pharaoh recognized this, saying, "Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?"

What is the Word of Knowledge?

The word of knowledge is a statement that reveals knowledge about people or circumstances that only God could reveal. It's supernatural information that couldn't be known through natural means.

In Acts 5, we see Peter operating in this gift when Ananias and Sapphira sold property and claimed to give all the proceeds to the church while secretly keeping some for themselves. Peter supernaturally knew they were lying, saying, "Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit and you kept some of the money for yourself."

Peter had no natural way of knowing they had kept part of the money - this was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.

Another Example of the Word of Knowledge

In Acts 9, we see another example with Ananias (a different person than in Acts 5) and Saul (later known as Paul). After Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Ananias received a vision instructing him to go pray for Saul.

When Ananias found Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Ananias couldn't have naturally known what happened to Saul on the road - this was divine knowledge revealed by God.

Signs You May Have the Gift of Wisdom:

- You're constantly inspired with new ideas and plans

- Your mind naturally thinks in terms of strategies and solutions

- You often see the bigger picture in situations

Signs You May Have the Gift of Knowledge:

- You feel moved with compassion and empathy when praying for others

- You're willing to linger in prayer, open to receiving divine insights

- You sometimes receive information about situations that you couldn't naturally know

How Should We Operate in These Gifts?

For these gifts to function properly in the church, we must follow three important principles:

1. Practice with Humility

The gift of wisdom isn't about being the smartest person in the room. Remember that it's God's wisdom, not your own. Joseph immediately pointed Pharaoh to God's power, not his own ability.

Similarly, the gift of knowledge isn't license to be harsh or judgmental. It's about revealing what God wants revealed, for His purposes, not our own.

2. Speak in Accordance with Scripture

If the "wise word" you want to share doesn't align with the Bible, don't say it. You're not hearing from God if it contradicts Scripture.

The same applies to knowledge. If you feel you've received some "new truth" not found in Scripture, you're mistaken. God's truth always aligns with His Word.

3. Remain in Submission to God-given Authority

The gifts of the Spirit are meant to function within the church, under proper spiritual authority. Be wary of those who claim to operate in these gifts but aren't connected to a church or submitted to pastoral leadership.

Jesus warned about false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really wolves. One way to identify them is by examining whether they're connected to a "good tree" (a healthy church) that produces good fruit.

Life Application

The gifts of wisdom and knowledge are valuable and needed in the church today. While there have been abuses of these gifts, that shouldn't stop us from seeking them and allowing them to function properly.

This week, consider these questions:

 Have I closed myself off to these gifts because of past hurts or abuses I've witnessed?

Am I willing to ask God to use me in these gifts if He chooses?

When someone shares a "word" with me, do I evaluate it according to Scripture and godly wisdom?

Am I submitted to proper spiritual authority where these gifts can function in a healthy way?

Challenge yourself to be open to how God might want to use you or speak to you through these gifts. Pray specifically for wisdom in your decisions this week, and be attentive to how God might reveal knowledge to you that could help others draw closer to Him.

Remember, these gifts aren't about elevating ourselves but about pointing others to Jesus and building up His church.