Summary: A five part series on the Manifestational-Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Part 5 covers the word of wisdom, word of knowledge and discerning of spirits.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Part V

 This is the conclusion to this study of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 The intention of this series is to have an accurate understanding of the gifts

1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 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. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Revelation Gifts

 The third group of the manifestational gifts.

 God supernaturally reveals through a believer that which their minds cannot conceive, their ears have not heard and their eyes have not seen.

 God imparts brief insight into the spirit realm (the unseen)

 Greek word for revelation is apokalupsis (ap-ok-al’-oop-sis);

 to disclose, an appearing, a coming, an enlightening, a manifestation, to be revealed.

There are three Revelation Gifts; the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, the Discerning of Spirits.

1. The Word of Wisdom:

 A supernatural revelation of the divine purposes of God in Christ, communicated through the Holy Spirit to the church, by way of a believer.

 This gift reveals, in part, the purposes of God on the earth.

1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

 It is a ‘word’ of wisdom, that is a fragment. Not the whole wisdom of God.

 He makes the one flowing in this gift wise in a certain matter.

 This gift often works hand in hand with the gift of prophecy.

Biblical examples:

 In Gen. 6 - Noah knew that God would destroy the earth over 100 years before He did it.

 Daniel saw empires leap into existence and perform on the stage of human history before they were born.

 Isaiah, chapters 9 and 53, are perhaps the most precious and prominent foretelling of the coming Messiah.

 Joel, prophesied in the last days that God’s Spirit would be poured out on all flesh.

 In Psalms 2 and 22, we see the word of wisdom foretelling the coming of the Messiah.

 Jesus operated in the word of wisdom.

 The destruction of the temple (His body and the building)

 Sign that would accompany his return and the end of the world.

 Jesus told that Judas would betray Him.

 John 21, Jesus prophesied Peter’s death.

 Acts 21 Agabus the prophet, described how Paul would be bound and delivered to the Gentiles by the Jews.

 Paul wrote, in 1 Thess, 1 Tim, and other epistles, describing things that would come to pass.

This gift can manifest in different ways:

 To Joseph, it was an interpretation of dreams

 To Daniel, it was a vision by night

 Ezekiel was caught away in the Spirit.

 The Apostle John was in the Spirit while the entire book of Revelation flashed before his eyes.

 This gift can be used to caution and encourage God’s people.

2. The Word of Knowledge

 This gift deals with events that have taken place but are unknown to the one operating in the gift.

 God reveals to one of His servants something that exists or did exist on the earth or in heaven.

 Knowledge deals with facts or realities.

 This is a divine impartation of factual information that you would not know naturally.

 This gift is used for protection, guidance, correction to the body of Christ and as a sign to unbelievers.

 This gift will often work with the gift of prophecy and the gifts of healing.

Biblical examples:

 In 1 Kings 19, Elijah had a word of knowledge when he thought he was the last person to not bow to the idol Baal. He then had a revelation that there were 7000 more who have not bowed.

 In 2 Kings 5, We read of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, who ran after Naaman after Elisha had not required any gift.- Elisha knew exactly what happen.

 Jesus exercised this gift with great authority.

 In John 1: Jesus spoke of Nathaneal, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile."

 He also saw Nathaneal under the fig tree in the spirit, before Phillip called him.

 John 4: Jesus told the Samaritan woman that she has had five husbands.

 In Acts 5 Peter called out the lie that Ananias and Sapphira had told about their gift to the church.

 In Acts 10, Peter knew there were three messengers from Cornelius on their way to ask for him.

This gift also manifests differently

 In visions & dreams

 By the still small voice – instant knowing.

3. The Discerning of Spirits

 The purpose of this gift, in short, is to discern the spirit that motivates a person or persons.

 This gift gives the body of Christ insight into the spirit realm, where their natural senses cannot enter.

 This gift works closely with the gifts of healing and is used in deliverance types of ministries.

Biblical examples:

 Jesus knew the scribes and teachers of the law were hypocrites.

 In Acts 8, Peter discerned the character of Simon the sorcerer.

 In Acts 13, Paul discerned the evil tendencies of Elymas.

CONCLUSION:

The Revelation gifts are not:

 The reading of thoughts

 Metaphysical abilities (special abilities of the mind)

 ESP (They are HSP - Holy Spirit Perception)

 ESP operates in the soulical realm, which is carnal

 These operate in our spirit realm, which is holy.

The Gifts are for today and are to be used.

1 Cor 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you,…

2 Tim 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Desire them

1 Cor 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 Cor 14:1a Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts,...

1 Cor 14:12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Ask and receive

John 16:24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

Luke 11:11-13