Week Two - The Power to ‘Know’
Wisdom, Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits
The English word “know” can be defined as the ability to be aware of truth or to perceive directly; to be convinced or certain; have a practical or experiential understanding. (Merriam Webster). This definition can be applied in the spiritual realm for the following three spiritual manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Word of Wisdom (1 Cor 12:8)
The Word of Wisdom
One of the spiritual manifestation gifts that provide divine insight is the "Word of Wisdom." The word “word” is translated from the Greek word Logos meaning the spoken word rather than the written word.
The word wisdom comes from the Greek word Sophia and denotes a wise application of knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight.
The Gift of the Word of Wisdom enables a person to express correctly the Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance of how and when to make a correct, clear and concise judgment or decision that reaches beyond human knowledge and intellect, on behalf of another. It is not the ability to discern a situation and make a decision with unusual common sense or to study the Bible for ‘new’ revelations.
Tyler had a friend come to him for guidance regarding making an important decision about his future that could have long term severe consequences if he chose the wrong course of action. Tyler prayed for his friend and sought God’s wisdom on his behalf. He shared with his friend the words he believed Holy Spirit was giving him to say, and his friend received the advice.
A few weeks later, Tyler learned that the decision his friend made turned out to be the best decision for both he and his family. The Word of Wisdom given by Tyler helped to bring positive transformation into his friend’s life.
The Word of Wisdom is vital to helping the Christian share God’s wisdom, revelation, knowledge, and understanding in ways that will bless those they meet and lead others into all that God has for them.
Word of Knowledge (1 Cor 12:8)
The Word of Knowledge
The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts in the mind of God. It is not natural learning or ability, nor is it a special or intensified knowledge of the Bible.
The word knowledge is the Greek word gnosis, which means to fully know something and have complete insight and understanding.
It is knowledge received from Holy Spirit and special awareness of God when He desires to enable a Christian to effectively minister to the needs of another at a moment’s notice by supernaturally giving them knowledge and understanding in a specific situation or circumstance, and to have insight in overcoming the strategies of the enemy. It will never contradict or add to the Bible.
Martin had a co-worker who came to him because he knew that Martin was a man of integrity and could be trusted based on the reputation he had at work. The co-worker told him in confidence that he was aware that their employer was about to sign a business contract with a company they had never done business with. The potential effects of the deal could mean a dramatic increase in revenue. However, Martin had an immediate check within his spirit that something wasn’t right and decided to look into it.
The company had performed proper due diligence, and an initial background investigation didn’t raise any concerns. Martin remained disturbed in his spirit over this and after much prayer and fasting decided to step out in faith and tell His employer that he felt God was telling him something wasn’t right about this other company and he recommended that his employer perform a more extensive background investigation.
The employer knew that Martin had proven himself reliable and trustworthy time and time again in the workplace and that he was an exemplary employee. He received Martin’s suggestion and called for more background research on the other company as well as their management team. The results of the investigation confirmed Martin's warning, and his employer was able to avoid what could have been a business and financial nightmare based upon the information discovered.
Discerning of Spirits (1 Cor 12:10)
Discerning of Spirits
Discerning of Spirits is having is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to perceive the source of a spiritual manifestation or teaching and determine whether it is of God, the enemy, or of man. (Acts 8:18-23, 10:30-35, 16:16-18) It provides insight into the supernatural world.
The word 'discerning' is from the Greek word 'diakrisis', which means to distinguish, to pass judgment, to appraise and perceive differences. The 'gift' is mentioned only once in Scripture and used only three times in the NT regarding the differentiation of good and bad teaching; opinions of a new Christian versus one who is mature in the faith; and between good and evil (Rom 14:1; Heb 5:14).
Marcie is the parent of a Boy Scout and was a member of the event planning committee for her son’s troupe. One of their events was going to require more adults to help supervise all the boys who would attend. Because the game would be short-staffed, they had to advertise for volunteers. Many men applied, and out of what appeared to be the best of the candidates, two were selected.
Marcie introduced herself to both of the men. As she shook the hand of the second man, it was as if red lights began flashing in her mind, and she was a little shocked and disoriented. She didn’t understand what had happened at that moment, but she felt that something was wrong and began to pray in her spiritual language because she didn’t know how to pray effectively.
After spending time in prayer, she hesitantly suggested to the committee that they take on the expense of having background checks performed on both of the men chosen. She experienced heavy opposition from some who spoke highly of them, but she stuck to her spiritual discernment and remained steadfast in her request.
The background checks were performed and revealed that the second man she had come in contact with was a pedophile who had not registered in their town and had a history of violence against children in another State. He had been let out of jail on a technicality. The authorities were alerted, and a potential horror was averted.
Christians “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph 6:12 NIV). This manifestation gift is essential in daily spiritual warfare because it is a defensive gift. It can help by revealing the deceit and lies of ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ as well as delivering those who are being afflicted, oppressed, tormented by, or exposed to lying or seducing spirits, whether they be of the enemy or a human being.
Every Christian is commanded to “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 Jn 4:1 NIV) However, this gift is used to expose the lies of the enemy in the behavior and teaching of men by separating truth from error. It is used most effectively by those who diligently study the Word of God so that they can warn others of counterfeit teaching or manifestations.
The Power to ‘Accomplish’ - Faith, Healings, and Working of Miracles
The English word 'accomplish' can be defined as: “to bring about (a result) by effort: to bring to completion: fulfill: to succeed in.” (Merriam-Webster) The meaning includes the ability to achieve, commit, carry out, and follow-through. The following manifestation gifts of power operate for miraculous intervention in natural events that could otherwise bring tragedy or ruin.
Faith (1 Cor 12:9)
The Gift of Faith is a miracle faith that is given to expect unexpected things at a specific moment in time. It is beyond daily trusting-faith in God.
The word “faith” is translated from the Greek word pistis meaning: “faith, faithfulness, steadfastness” (Young’s); “firm persuasion, the conviction which is based upon hearing, not upon sight or knowledge; a firmly relying confidence in what we hear from God in His Word” (Bullinger).
Steve had a friend who was faced with making a huge decision on going through with the idea that, by every indication - as well as the warnings of others - wouldn’t work because it was just too over the top for most to believe it could work.
His friend was extremely apprehensive about moving forward and came to Steve for his thoughts on it because he trusted him and valued his judgment. Steve decided to pray for his friend and to seek God’s divine guidance because his idea was outside his personal realm of experience and knowledge. Steve placed his hand on his friend's head and began praying. A wave of divine confidence flooded over both of them, and they began to instantly feel God’s assurance that it would work out and that it was the right decision to make.
A year later, Steve’s friend was reaping huge financial rewards from his idea and was able to give much of it to missions work in the church.
Healings (1 Cor 12:9)
Healings are given to a specific person at a specific time to cure or to bring about mental, emotional or physical healing. It is not the divine gifting of medical, surgical, or scientific ability.
This gift is in the plural: “gifts.” The word “healing(s)” is translated from the Greek word “Jama” meaning a complete cure.
When I was a teenager, I had fractured my leg and chipped a bone in my ankle and ended up with a cast. The Doctor said it would take a few months to heal and that meant no more sports or swimming, riding my bike, or even walking. I was not a happy camper.
The accident happened on a Friday afternoon, and I was laid up over the weekend. I didn’t go back to school until the following Wednesday. Prior to the accident, I had just been introduced to a fellow Christian who met with a group of other like-minded Christians on Wednesdays during lunch.
I decided that I would go check them out towards the end of the lunch period so I wouldn’t have to hang around too long if they ended up being people I wanted nothing to do with!
When they saw me hobbling around on crutches they asked, “what happened?’ and then told me point blank that God could heal me if I wanted Him too. They also asked if I wanted to join them at their church that night. Well, my curiosity got the best of me and off I went to church.
During the service - which was heavy in worship and praise - those around me were praying with fervent abandonment. As I was raising my hands to God in surrender and praise, I suddenly felt a warm wave of something that felt like a powerful jolt of electric current enter through my fingers and down through my hands and arms and into my body. It then seemed to settle in my broken ankle and remain there. It was amazing!
While this was happening, I felt strangely clean and as if I were floating – feeling as light as a feather. This went on for some time and then the current of power slowly dissipated. At that moment I absolutely knew that I was healed and that it was Holy Spirit who had done the healing. The following week the doctor confirmed that there was no fracture, break, or chipped bone to be seen in the X-rays.
As a young Christian, I wanted everything God had to give, and I held no bias towards what God was capable of. I didn’t know that the supernatural gifts were supposed to have stopped at the end of the First Century, and didn’t learn that there were those who actually believed such a thing until I entered Bible College. Up until that point in time, my mind hadn’t been cluttered with unbelief and powerless teaching.
Needless to say, my experience helped shape my understanding of Scripture, and I was very glad that I had personal proof the supernatural gifts were alive and well and are still active and available to any Christian who desires to make use of them to help another when needed.
Working of Miracles (1 Cor 12:10)
This manifestation gift is way outside the natural realm and cannot be easily explained when the results of its operation are experienced or observed.
The word “working” is an action word and is translated from the Greek word “energema” which means energy that operating actively and effectively.
The word “miracles” is translated from the Greek word Dunamis and means a power to do anything as needed by divine edict.
Working of Miracles in the Bible includes such things as raising the dead, moving mountains, and calling fire down from Heaven. This gift is to be used for divine intervention when human attempts fail, and there is no hope of a positive outcome apart from God.
Cindy was driving down the street one day, and a horrible accident happened right in front of her. The driver of one of the cars was trapped inside. Huge billows of black smoke began pouring from the car, and people were screaming. The driver inside couldn’t get out. The car was wedged up against the side railing, and the door was jammed shut. Their seat belt was stuck, and Cindy could see that the driver was terrified. It appeared as if there was no hope they would make it out alive.
She started to pray intensely and sought for God’s intervention. Suddenly, the door opened, and the driver was able to get out and away from their car before it was engulfed in flames. Amazingly, the person was uninjured, and the people around recognized it could only be a miracle and gave praise to God.
The Working of Miracles was used in the ministry of the Apostles as well as those in the early church. There were two “deacons” of the seven chosen, named Stephen and Philip who also did Signs and Wonders as part of their ministry.
Luke states that Stephen, “full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8 NIV) Philip also had great evangelistic success in softening the hearts of the people;
“And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.” (Acts 8:6 NIV)
Soon after the Apostles heard that the Samaritans were open to the Gospel message given by Philip they “sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit”. (Acts 8:14-15 NIV)
God also sent Holy Spirit to the Galatians so that they could work miracles among the people. Paul writes to the churches of Galatia and asks the question,
“Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” (Gal 3:5 NIV)
