1 Corinthians 12:7-12
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom, through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another the gift of faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues."
What is the Gift of the Word of Knowledge?
1. The word of knowledge is supernatural revelation, by the Holy Spirit, of certain facts in the mind of God. It is the God-given ability to receive from God, by revelation, the facts concerning something that is humanly impossible for us to know anything about. Important note: It is a gift of the "word" of knowledge. It is not the gift of knowledge.
2. A word is just a fragment or part of a sentence. A "word" of knowledge is just a fragment or a part of God’s knowledge. He gives us a “piece” of His knowledge regarding a particular circumstance or situation.
3. Even though it is true that the Lord has all knowledge and knows everything about absolutely everything, He does not always reveal everything to us. Revelation comes only as He wills it to come. He has always proven Himself to be faithful to speak to His people at the proper time (fullness of time). However, it’s become quite obvious that many of us do not enjoy the waiting process in God’s precious timetable. We want to know everything, right now! The truth of the matter is that the Spirit of God usually doesn’t function in this manner. Normally, we find that revelation comes to us as we begin to seek the truth, not because we have a desire for more knowledge, but because we have a desire for more of Him in our lives.
Why don’t we see this gift more in operation?
1. Thousands of believers have been entrusted with much knowledge, wisdom, and revelation from the Holy Spirit. However, there are some who have been guilty of quietly keeping all of this life-giving information carefully stored away in the memory banks of their own hearts and minds. They have failed to see and experience the wonderful benefits that could be made available to them, because they have neglected to pass the blessing on to others.
2. The Lord brings revelation to His people for specific purposes and reasons. What has been freely given to us must also be freely given to others as the Spirit of God leads. It’s our responsibility to ask the Lord what He wants us to do with the revelation knowledge that He has given to us. If we have a tendency to keep all that He has graciously given to us locked away in the corridors of our hearts, it could possibly hinder any further working of His Spirit in us. His initiative is to bless us so that we, in turn, might be a blessing to others.
3. 1 Cor. 13:9 – For we know in part and we prophesy in part.Prophets only prophesy in part. They don’t see the whole picture. They see only that which the Lord would have them see at any given moment in time. If the Lord chooses to expose sin in our lives, we must receive the word that is given to us so that we can be set free from the enemies power.
Some purposes of the Word of Knowledge
In John 4:5-18, Jesus said, “Go call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
Jesus used a word of knowledge when he spoke to the woman at the well. He spoke to her about her present and past condition. The word of knowledge led her to believe on Jesus.
1. To lead souls to Christ
2. To reveal sickness or to be used in the ministry of healings.
3. To build up faith in someone for healing or whatever ministry they have come forward to receive.
4. To restore the believer back to fellowship with God.
5. To provide encouragement.
6. To reveal demon possession or oppression.
7 Examples of The Word of Knowledge in operation
1. Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzer had a dream. He didn’t know the meaning of the dream. Daniel was called in to see if he had understanding of the dream. Daniel prayed to the Lord and the interpretation of the dream was given to him.
2. Acts 10:9-20 - (Verse 19) Peter received a vision from God. The Lord spoke to him and said, "three men are looking for you." Peter was not aware that anyone was at the door of his home looking for him. The Lord spoke this information to him by a word of knowledge.
3. 1 Sam. 9:19,20 - Samuel told Saul that the donkeys that were lost had been found.
4. Luke 19:30,31 - Jesus told two of his disciples to go into a village and get a donkey that no man had ever ridden before. He even told them where to find it.
5. Acts 9:10-16 - And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision. The Lord told him where Saul was and what He would have him do. Ananias had no way of knowing that Saul was in a house on Straight Street. This was a supernatural revelation from God.
6. 2 Kings 6:9-12 - The word of knowledge was given to warn a king of the enemy’s plan of destruction. The King of Syria was making war against Israel. The Lord spoke to His prophet Elisha and revealed the enemies plans.
7. Acts 5:1-5 - God revealed to Peter that Ananias and Saphira had lied.
What this gift is not
1. NOT FORTUNE TELLING - The devil counterfeits God's gifts and would make fortune telling seem like the word of knowledge, but there is a difference. If a fortune teller knows anything at all supernaturally, you can be sure that it is not the supernatural Spirit of God that gives him that knowledge. The devil uses fortune tellers to tell you something that will worry you and break up your home, break your heart, break your finances, and mess up your future, but God, by the word of knowledge, is generally trying to build His people up in these areas.
2. NOT THE ABILITY TO MAKE GOOD GUESSES - This gift is not making good guesses, having a good imagination, or the working of the mind. It does not work through one's mind any more than speaking with tongues does.
Listen to God
Listening to God’s voice should be one of the most important parts of our life. Listening is the only way to know Him and His will and purpose for your life. A music teacher once asked her class what is the difference between listening and hearing. At first there was no response. Finally a hand went up at the back of the class and one of the young people offered this wise definition: “Listening is wanting to hear!” Do you want to hear God, do you want to listen? God is always speaking to his people; the key is that we must want to listen.
