The Word of Wisdom – Part 5 – The Gifts of the Spirit

The Word of Wisdom

In this post we’re going to talk about the Word of Wisdom which is one of the Gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-9.  We’ve already covered

The Word of Knowledge and Discerning of spirits.

Much like the word of knowledge where it is not complete knowledge of all things, the word of wisdom is just wisdom for one particular situation.  Actually this gift works in conjunction with the word of knowledge and also the gift of prophecy.

Simply put, wisdom is the application of the knowledge.  Giving the solution and an understanding of what to do with the information.

I’m going to give you 3 keys to identify the gift when it is counterfeit and not from God.

Key #1 – The word of knowledge and the gift of prophecy is tied to the word of wisdom.  Remember these gifts are for the edification of The Word of Wisdomthe body of Christ.  They are also there to expose the works of darkness.  Therefore, if the wisdom of God is not evident in the use of the word of knowledge and the gift of prophecy there is a high possibility it is not of God.

God is not a gossip therefore He’s not going to tell us information about ourselves or others that doesn’t lead to Him – restoration, salvation, deliverance, healing.  The information has to lead to Him.  The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.  This is important to know so that if you end up in a situation where someone starts telling you information about yourself – past or present – if it leads to nothing or there is no wisdom following the information, what is the point?

If you can prophesy someone’s phone number, credit card information, address, etc. and it is not followed by wisdom that leads to restoration, salvation, deliverance or healing…it is not from God.

When you hear the word of knowledge coming forward you should always look for the word of wisdom to follow because when the Lord gives the knowledge He is always going to give you the wisdom to know what the do with the knowledge you received.

 

Key #2 – Watch your emotional response. Another way to know if the word of knowledge you are receiving is from God is your emotional response to the information.  God is never going to give you information that leaves you in a pit, depressed, sad, angry, worried or anxious.  These are not a part of the fruit of the Spirit.  Therefore; if the take away from the knowledge leaves you with a negative emotional response, it is not from God.

Please note this does not mean God will never tell you anything that is not distressing.  What it means is that the end result will have some wisdom in it that will move you from the place of despair to a place of repentance, restoration and reconciliation.  For example, if you had a really bad dream and you woke up worried and distressed somewhere in that dream – if it was from God – would be wisdom that gives you the solution to make sure what you saw does not come to pass.  If there is no solution (wisdom) then it’s not from God because God will never leave you in a state of worry. Rebuke the devil and hit the delete button on the dream erasing it from your mind.

I remember once, while I was praying, I heard very clearly that someone that I knew in church was saying bad things about me.  I was also told exactly what they were saying and as I began to reflect on it I became angry.  In the midst of my anger a simple thought crossed my mind “would God tell me something that would cause me to be angry at someone and lead to disunity?”  No, He wouldn’t.  Instantly, I rebuked the devil and hit the delete button on the information.  The next time I saw that person, I didn’t treat them any differently.  I don’t care if they did or did not say it.  What I care about is that I don’t take instructions from the enemy.

Remember the enemy speaks too so watching your emotional response when you are given information or if you receive information is very important.

Key #3 – Watch for the Fruit. 

When word of knowledge is in operation and the gift of prophecy you must look for the fruit that came from that word.  For example someone exposing




another person’s sin publicly is not of God.  Because love covers a multitude of sin.  Embarrassing someone publicly by blurting out what’s going on in their home is not of God.  God won’t embarrass people.  So, there has to be some fruit when the gifts are in operation.  Watch what happens as a result of the information that was revealed.  The fruit will tell you the source.  A more loving way would be to tell the person privately.  It is not every prophetic word that should be spoken in a public forum. Wisdom has to be used in the operation of all of these gifts of the spirit.

James 3:17 New International Version (NIV) “17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

The Greek word for wisdom is sophia which means:

  1. wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters

    1. the wisdom which belongs to men

      • spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs

      • the science and learning

      • the act of interpreting dreams and always giving the sagest advice

      • the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision

      • skill in the management of affairs

      • devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ, skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth

      • the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living

    2. supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God

      • to Christ

      • the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and government of the world and the scriptures

 

The Hebrew word for wisdom is chokmah.  This is the same wisdom that was given to Solomon.

  1. wisdom

    • skill (in war)

    • wisdom (in administration)

    • shrewdness, wisdom

    • wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)

    • wisdom (ethical and religious)

Two biblical example  1 Kings 3:16-28 Also Read Matthew 22:15-22

I pray this has helped you to understand this gift more.

 

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *