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We have looked at the three Gifts of the Spirit that "say" something, tongues, interpretation and prophecy. Let us now look at the three gifts of the Spirit that "know" something.
--Word of Wisdom
--Word of Knowledge
--Discerning of Spirits
The Gift of the Word of Wisdom
1Cor 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom
The Gift of the Word of Wisdom is a supernatural revelation of the Divine purposes of God. It is a divine communication, a message to the church from God, given by the Holy Spirit through a believer in a language understood by the congregation.. In the gift of the Word of Wisdom, God gives forth a small segment or portion of information from His vast storehouse of wisdom. That is why it is called a Word of Wisdom. Wisdom has to do with the future. When God gives a Word of Wisdom, He is revealing something that has not yet come to pass. Every prophet in the Bible possessed this gift and prophets possess it today too. This gift unveils in part the purposes of God on the earth. The apostle Paul explained it this way.
1 Cor 2:4-10 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
There is a natural wisdom of men. It is the proper use and application of knowledge gained through education and experience but the gift of the Word of Wisdom has nothing to do with the mind or intellect. It has nothing to do with a person's academic achievements. It's source is the mind of God and its purpose is to reveal and make known the hidden things of God. The Word of Wisdom is a fragment of the omniscience, all knowing characteristic of God and you don't have to be educated to operate in this gift. When a person receives the gift of the Word of Wisdom, he does not become a know it all. In the Old Testament Joseph operated in this gift.
Genesis 37:5-10 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
God revealed to Joseph that he was going to come into a place of authority in his life, but God only gave him a very small fragment of God's purposes in Joseph's life. This is a Word of Wisdom. It foretold a portion of Joseph's future and it was given to him in a dream.
The gift of the Word of Wisdom operated in the life of many men in the Old Testament. Men like
1. Noah
Gen 6:13-14 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
2. Daniel
Daniel 2:20-30 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
3. Isaiah
Isaiah 53:1-12 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
All these things had to do with future events and they contained the wisdom of God
The Gift of the Word of Wisdom operated in the New Testament also in the life of the
- apostle Paul
Act 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
apostle Peter
2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Foremost among those using the gift of the Word of Wisdom in the New Testament was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He foretold the destruction of the Temple and the signs that would accompany His return to the earth for His church.
Mat 24:1-14 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The Word of Wisdom is manifested in many ways. In the Bible it was manifested in a dream, and a night vision. Ezekiel was caught away in the Spirit for a revelation and the apostle John was caught up in the spirit in the Lord's day. We must understand the difference between the gift of prophecy and the gift of the Word of Wisdom. In prophecy there is no element of the future associated with it. It is for exhortation, edification and comfort. When someone speaks out a word concerning future events he has moved from prophecy into the gift of the Word of Wisdom.
The Word of Wisdom can be conditional. For example God told Hezekiah to set his house in order because he was going to die.
2 Kings 20:1-6 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
When Hezekiah repented God healed him and he lived for fifteen more years.
The Word of Wisdom can be used to set apart those for ministry. God told Ananias His plans for Saul of Tarsus.
Act 9:15-18 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
God revealed to Ananias, the great things the apostle Paul was going to be required to face, in his mission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Armed with this word of wisdom Ananias went forward to lay hands on Saul of Tarsus to receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
The word of Wisdom can also be used to bring assurance of God's divine protection.
Acts 27:9-44 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
A word of wisdom was given to the apostle Paul by an inner prompting of the Holy Spirit that they were going to suffer loss on this sailing journey. They would not listen to Paul so they headed right into danger. Later on another word of wisdom was given to the apostle Paul by an angel who appeared to him in the night. The angel told Paul he was going to appear before Caesar and Paul understood that everyone who stayed with him on the ship was going to be saved. This word of wisdom saved everyone's life.
Think of how valuable a Word of Wisdom would be in your life today. It could help you to escape many things that could cause you to suffer great loss and pain.
The Gift of the Word of Knowledge
1Cor 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
The Gift of the Word of Knowledge is given to reveal something that exists in the present or has existed in the past. It is related to fact. It is a word or portion of knowledge that exists in the mind of God, which God supernaturally reveals to us. There is no sense of mystery in it, other than the fact that this knowledge is not gained through natural means or intellect. It wasn't learned through study, experience or upon information passed on through another human being. There are numerous examples of this gift being manifest in the Old and New Testaments. The Gift of the Word of Knowledge was
- Used to expose a hypocrite in
2 Kings 5:20-27 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
Gehazi followed Naaman after he was healed of his leprosy. Elisha had refused Naaman's offer of reward for his healing and Gehazi saw this as an opportunity to receive something from Naaman, that Elisha had refused. He lied to Naaman and accepted Naaman's gifts under false pretenses. Through a word of Knowledge Elisha learned of Gehazi's actions. When Gehazi returned to Elisha, Elisha asks him where he had been and Gehazi says, "I never went anywhere. " Then Elisha says something very interesting. He says ,"Did not my heart, (spirit) go with thee when you chased after Naaman and when he got down out of his chariot to greet you?" God showed Elisha this whole transaction through a Word of Knowledge. Elisha couldn't have learned this through any other means. Elisha says,"Is it time to receive the things of the kingdom of this earthly realm when the blessings of the heavenly realm are made available to us". Gehazi received more than he asked for and the leprosy of the natural realm that was upon Naaman, was now passed upon Gehazi. Not only was this leprosy upon Gehazi, it was upon his seed forever. Wow, look at the ramifications of Gehazi coveting something that did not belong to him. It's a scary thought to think that something that someone else has been delivered from can jump on you, if you open the door to the devil under the right circumstances. Jesus said in
Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
In this particular situation the leprous spirit from which Naaman was delivered found a dwelling place in Gehazi. Gehazi's situation was worse than Naaman's because it was impossible for him to be healed of his leprosy and it was going to be passed on to his seed forever.
- The Word of Knowledge was given to warn a king of the enemy's plans
2Kings 6:9-12 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
- The Word of Knowledge was used to expose sin
2 Samuel 12:1-7 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
King David thought he had covered his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba by having her husband brought from the battlefield to sleep with her. When Uriah didn't co-operate David had him killed in battle. It appeared everything had been covered up but through a Word of Knowledge given to Nathan, the prophet, David's sin was exposed.
The same thing happened in the New Testament in
Act 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Through a Word of knowledge, the apostle Peter learned that Ananias and Sapphira had lied and kept back a portion of the money they had gained through selling a piece of land, that they had promised to give to the church. Their deception cost them their lives.
- A Word of Knowledge is used to discover a man in hiding
1Samuel10:21-23 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
Everyone was looking for Saul but no one could find him so they inquired of the Lord. The Holy Spirit through a Word of Knowledge revealed to Samuel that Saul had hid himself among the stuff. "Stuff "is the Hebrew word "kliy" meaning "instruments, weapons, vessels, armoury, furniture, carriage, dress"
- The Word of Knowledge was used to reveal the spiritual condition of the church to the apostle John through a vision in.
Rev 1:10-20 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
In this vision, Jesus through a Word of Knowledge reveals to John the spiritual condition of the seven churches. John sees Jesus standing in the midst of the churches and through a Word of Knowledge shows John the church's strengths and weaknesses and how they are to repent to receive the full power and blessing of God in their lives.
- Through a Word of Knowledge God reveals to Elijah that there are others who have not bowed their knees to the gods of this world
1Kings 19:14-19 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
Elijah was discouraged because he thought he was the only one in Israel who had not forsaken the Lord, but through a Word of Knowledge God spoke to Elijah and revealed to him that there were still 7000 people in Israel who had not bowed their knees to foreign Gods. He also received instructions on what he was to do and how he was to minister unto the people. We need to realize how important a Word of Knowledge can be in a believer's life. This Word of Knowledge empowered Elijah to stir up his anointing to anoint others so they could do what God had called them to do.
We need to remember that the Word of Knowledge reveals facts, past and present and the Word of Wisdom reveals things in the future. The Word of Knowledge and the Word of Wisdom are often used together.
For example, one could speak a prophetic word to a person and say, "The Lord would say unto you, You have been selling yourself in a life of prostitution to support your drug habit, but from this moment on, I have put my mark upon you. You have become my treasure and are more valuable to me than you could ever imagine. Cease to do evil and I will use you mightily from this day, to be my witness and many shall come into the kingdom through the calling and the anointing I have placed upon your life. Go my child and fear not for I have made you free and called you forth for such a time as this " Through the Word of Knowledge one can be comforted and encouraged to continue on living for the Lord.
The Word of Knowledge can be manifested in a number of different ways; through an inward revelation, through tongues and interpretation, word of prophecy, dreams, visions and angelic visitations. The Word of knowledge does not manifest irself as a result of us studying the Bible. The apostle Paul did tell us to study the Bible in.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But knowledge gained through studying the Bible is not the Gift of the Word of Knowledge. The Gift of the Word of Knowledge is supernatural not intellectual. It is knowledge given to us of the Spirit of God who knows all things.
1Cor 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
How badly we need the Word of Knowledge operating in the church today to bring healing and deliverance.
- The Discerning of Spirits
And the third gift of the Spirit that empowers us to know something, is the gift of Discerning of Spirits
1 Cor 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;
The Greek word "discern" is "diakrisis" meaning "judicial estimation."
Webster's dictionary defines "discern" as "having the ability to know good from bad. It means to perceive clearly with the mind or senses, make out by thought or by gazing or listening"
I like to think of discerning as meaning to look or see below the surface; to see beyond the obvious. The writer of Hebrews says of the Word of God
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
But there is also a discerning of the Holy Spirit who abides within us. He sees beyond people's words and actions looking into their desires and motives. Have you ever seen or heard something that appeared to be genuine but there were red lights flashing and whistles blowing warning you to beware but your couldn't put your finger on it. That's an example of discernment and it would be well for us to listen to those signs.
The discerning of Spirits give us insight into the spirit world, therefore it is more limited in scope than the Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge. The Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge give us insight into people, places, circumstances and events, past, present and future, but the discerning of Spirits only gives us insight the spirit realm. Many times people think the gift of discerning of spirits, only has to do with discerning evil spirits but such is not the case. We also need the discerning of spirits when it comes to the spirits of God and his kingdom at work in our midst. There are times when God is working in our midst and we are rebuking the devil.
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
and times when the devil is working in our midst and it appears so good that we are giving glory to God.
2 Cor 11:13 -15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Mat 24:23-24 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
As the end of the age draws near, the necessity of the gift of the discerning of spirits will be required in greater measure because of the deceiving spirit of Satan and his cohorts.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2Timothy3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
We are not only talking about the gift of the discerning of devils, it's the gift of the discerning of spirits, good and evil.
The prophet Isaiah had the gift of discerning of spirits.
Isaiah 6:1-5 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
In this vision he saw the similitude of God. With the gift of the discerning of spirits people have seen cherubims, seraphims, archangels, and the host of heaven as well as evil spirits.
The apostle used this gift in Act 16:16-24 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
At first blush it appeared what this girl was saying was a good thing. She followed Paul and Silas around crying out, "These men are servants of the most high God which show us the way of salvation, listen to them". She continued doing this day after day. Chances are, the first few times and days she did this, Paul and Silas were truly appreciative but as the days continued something began to signal Paul's spirit that something wasn't right here and Paul finally speaks forth and casts the spirit of divination out of her. We need to see he addresses the spirit of divination in her and does not speak to her at all. Paul discerned the spirit working behind this woman's apparent good deed. Without this spirit of divination she was unable to tell people's fortunes any longer and was of no financial benefit to the men promoting her ability. Satan always has a counterfeit for the real thing. We need to recognize that everyone is not going to appreciate you when you begin to operate in the gifts of the spirit. They threw Paul and Silas into the bowels of the prison with their hands and feet in stocks.
Discerning of spirits is not mind reading or crystal ball gazing. It isn't the power to know the faults in others, to reveal their secret sins and character defects or to pass judgement upon them. The discerning of spirits has nothing to do with people defects. It is the discerning of spirits in the spirit realm. It is the ability through the power of the Holy Spirit to see into the spirit realm and discern any spiritual activity that might be behind attitudes and actions in the natural realm. Through the discerning of spirits the apostle Paul discerned that Elymus the Sorcerer was under the control of an evil spirit.
Acts 13:6-12 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
The people around Elymus thought that he was a great person because of the things that he knew and could do. But the apostle Paul through the gift of discernment and the power of the Holy Ghost, bound his powers and caused him to be blind so that he had to be led around by the hand. Through the gift of discernment the spiritual eyes of those around Elymus were opened and they believed on Paul's doctrine. In the last days there will be a strong delusion and deception exercised by Satan to gain control of the earth.
Rev 13:11-18 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
This deception will be manifest in three areas.
- Morally through the acceptance of co-habitation, same sex marriage, gay and lesbian life styles, alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, new age, etc. There will be no such thing as sin in their teachings. Sin will be looked upon as a sickness, treated through counseling and drug therapy. People with morals will be ostracized and marginalized. They will be looked upon as being out dated, draconian and not with it when it comes to living in today's society.
2 Peter 2:18-19 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
- Politically by making great promises to answer the problems of the world. Doing things that will give the impression that they have the answers to our problems but they will be in power primarily to promote themselves and self-serving agendas. Politically correct solutions.
- Religiously-A mixing of religions, new age, and philosophy into one big religious cauldron. There will be no absolutes. Great miracles will be done in the name of these religions and many will follow them. Jesus said so in
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Today our world is being conditioned and groomed for a lie. In some areas it is subtle and in other areas it is out right blatant. Millions who have rejected the truth, will grab a hold of a lie that allows them to continue living in sin and still feel good about themselves, believing that their lives are right with God. Guilt, shame and conviction will become by words, something we should resist feeling ay all cost.
T.V. celebrities will be used to deceive millions of people into following deceiving spirits.
2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
This is why we need the gift of the discerning of Spirits to be operating in our lives so we can expose them, resist them and rise up against them.
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