First Corinthians 12 Part 5 The Word Of Knowledge

The gift of words of wisdom and the indicatives of God.

1 Corinthians 12:7-8  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 

Paul reminds us before listing the gifts of the Spirit that each gift is to be used for the glory of God. 

Each gift is given to build up Christians faith, to evangelize the world and to facilitate ministry within the local church.

The gift of wisdom as new revelation from God stopped when the canon of the New Testament scriptures were completed.

However, wisdom as a practical application of God's Word in our lives is something we must always pursue. 

We must first learn God's Word and build a solid foundation of Bible truth in our heart. 

When we use that knowledge to make decisions which conform with scripture, then we have practically demonstrated wisdom in our lives. 

Wisdom received by the apostles directly from the Spirit of God.

Luke 12:11-12  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12)  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. 

Jesus told His disciples what would happen when He ascended to His Father in heaven. They would receive power from the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel of Christ (See Acts 1:8).

Jesus taught the disciples that the same religious leaders who hated Him would hate them also (See John 15:18-27). 

The disciples would be harassed and arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. Notice what Jesus told the men who became His apostles.

Jesus said that they should not think about replying to the false accusations made against them. 

Instead, they were instructed to wait because the Holy Spirit would teach, guide and direct them how to respond. 

This is a great example of wisdom or direct revelation from God to man and the book of Acts contains their inspired words for us to read and benefit from.

Wisdom or revelation from God in the sense Paul wrote of it, was a gift from the Holy Spirit belonging to prophets and apostles.

In a general sense, wisdom is connected with the eternal things of God as revealed in the scriptures.

We could also say that the direct revelation of the Godhead to mankind is full of "indicatives." 

 Indicatives are the truths that indicate who God is and what He has done for us.

Wisdom in the sense of learning, understanding and applying God's Word to our choices is still needed by each of us today. 

This is why God sent His Spirit to live in each believer's heart, to teach and guide us according to God's Word. 

Next on Paul's list is the gift of knowledge.

Knowledge is a gift that most appropriately belongs to pastors, teachers and evangelists. 

Knowledge and spiritual growth is also a gift that should be evident in each Christian's life, as we read and study the scriptures.

In a general sense, knowledge is connected with things that must be done, our spiritual duties. 

If the indicatives tell us about God then the imperatives tell us how we ought to respond with faith and obedience.

Wisdom corresponds with doctrine and knowledge corresponds with duty. Thus, what we believe must impact or shape our behavior.   

Therefore, knowledge is connected with the imperatives of God that define what our response to His revelation should be.

After giving us 3 chapters of God's wisdom and revelation, Paul follows this with three chapters of how to walk a worthy walk with our Lord, based upon His revelation. 

For example, we can see in Ephesians 1-3 the revelation and glory of God and in chapters 4-6, we see the imperatives God has for us.

This gift of knowledge is still active today. Our most gifted theologians, pastors, missionaries and lay leaders have been blessed with the gift of knowledge.

For example, the scripture filled writings of the Puritan preachers display a competent and thorough knowledge of the scripture. 

These men studied many hours each day in order to know God better so that they might help us know Him better.  

They diligently studied the scriptures so that they could help us understand what God is saying and how it applies to us. 

Knowledge as a gift is available to all who will study the scriptures seeking to know the Lord. 

Moms, Dads and even children can read the Bible and learn what God is saying to us. 

Each can gain knowledge from God that will very practically guide our steps through this life, and will prepare us for eternal life in heaven. 

The blessed and happy man is one who delights in God's Word and lives by it.

Psalm 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

The blessed man, woman or young person is one who has read the Bible. One who has been impacted by and yielded to it's authority. 

One who will not be drawn into close connections with sinners  or will not have a scornful, mocking attitude toward other people. 

Knowledge stems from diligent study and inquiry into the Word of God, seeking God and seeking to understand who He is and what He is saying to us.

Such a person will be blessed, happy and live a fruitful life of serving God and ministering to others.

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are interconnected. 

Proverbs 2:1-6  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2)  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3)  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4)  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5)  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6)  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 

Men are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches those principles by which we may obtain God’s guidance and avoid the influence of the wicked, whose pernicious ways are described.

Diligence in hearing and praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of godliness, the fear of God.

We must treasure God's Word in our heart, and then act upon them through our faith and love toward Him. 

He who has the word of God in his heart delights to do the will of his heavenly Father, because His law is in his heart. (See Proverbs 3:3-6).

God always aims at changing and transforming our heart and minds.

Proverbs 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 

We must listen to what God says in His word with careful attention. 

We must prayerfully reflect upon His truth with soberness of heart because out of our heart come the issues of life.

Wisdom will teach us about the glory of God and His wonderful works for us. 

Knowledge will teach us our duties of faith, obedience and seeking to glorify God in all that we do.

Knowledge is connected with the ministry of the Spirit of God with the Word of God in the heart of man. 

This is why we are urged in many places to be led by the Spirit of God (See Galatians 5:16-26).

Prayers for our eyes to be opened and our heart illuminated by God's Spirit.

Psalm 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 

The Psalmist is asking God to illuminate his understanding and to take away the veil that is on his heart. 

When the Spirit of God shines His holy light into our hearts, then we see wonders in God's holy law. 

The scriptures are plain enough. But our hearts are darkened by sin. Our soul does need the light or illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. 

Because our hearts are darkened by sin, the simple truths of salvation often elude our grasp. 

We can rejoice because God sent His Spirit to live in us to show us all the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him. 

He freely and readily gives these things to us and our ability to grasp it is connected with the ministry of the Spirit of God (See 1 Corinthians 2:9-14).

Wisdom and revelation, knowledge and understanding are to guide our steps. 

Ephesians 1:15-18  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16)  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17)  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18)  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Paul's prayers are recorded several times in his letters to the churches. His specific prayer for the Christians at Ephesus is worthy thinking about.

He asked that the Father of glory would give us wisdom and revelation, which connects with the gift of the word of wisdom.

Paul prayed that Christians would grow in their knowledge of the GodHead, the Father, the Son and the Spirit. 

He prayed for the Spirit of God to enlighten our understanding. He prayed for our minds to be transformed by God's truth (See Romans 12:1-2). 

God's intent for granting us wisdom, knowledge and understanding is to change how we think, how we feel and how we choose to live our lives. 

Our Father wants us to know the fullness of hope and blessings that we have in Jesus Christ. 

These prayer requests are connected with the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. 

Wisdom knowledge and understanding from scripture shines pure light in us.

Psalm 119:129-130   Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130)  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 

Here the Psalmist teaches us that we will respond to what we learn and know of God by desiring to obey or keep His Word.

When the Spirit of God illuminates our heart so that we can understand and learn God's truth, it is like light flooding into a dark place. 

It is a lamp we hold in our heart that shows us the immediate perils of sin in front of us so that we do not fall. 

It is a pure and bright light that illuminates the path that God wants us to walk on (See Psalm 119:105).

Keep on growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. 

The apostle Peter reminds us that we are to keep growing spiritually until the Lord calls us home. 

We must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We must constantly study to show ourselves approved unto God, diligently reading, memorizing and meditating on the scriptures. 

Spiritual gifts help us put down roots and bear fruit for God's kingdom.

Psalm 92:12-15  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13)  Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14)  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 15)  To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. 

The Psalmist shows the beautiful work of those who seek knowledge from God. Those who put their trust in the LORD will be like a palm tree, growing vigorously and producing fruit.

Even when we grow older we can still be fruit producing Christians for the kingdom of God. God still has work for us to do each day for as long as He gives us life.

The object of spiritual growth and attaining wisdom and knowledge from the scriptures, is so that we can show forth the glories of Christ and our salvation. 

It is so that we can be Christ's faithful witnesses and share the gospel with lost people.

Knowledge and spiritual understanding facilitate a worthy walk with Christ. 

Colossians 1:9-14  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;12)  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13)  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  

Paul's prayer for the Christians at Colosse and for us, is that we all might be filled with the knowledge of the will of God so that we live an upright life.

He prayed that we might be filled with spiritual understanding so that we are properly equipped to walk worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

Our lives will be marked by the fruit of the Spirit and we will be enabled to lead a productive and blessed life.

We must seek growth or risk becoming stagnant and complacent.

2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding promote spiritual growth such that we will glorify God with our lives. 

This is the standard of faith and practice. This is not something reserved for a few "super saints" who are really mature in the Lord.

This is where the gift of knowledge will lead us: to a fuller understanding of the things of God that make a significant impact on our heart and mind and soul.

Mark 12:28-31  And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29)  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30)  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31)  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 

Listen to the words of Jesus in replying to one of the scribe's questions. Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength is what God wants for us.

Without wisdom from God and knowledge and understanding, we cannot make progress toward this beautiful goal.

Let us earnestly seek the illuminating work of God's Spirit in us so that we can see what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. 

Let us seek these things so that we can love and serve Him fully all the days of our lives. 

Bob