1 Corinthians 12:7-10 “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.”
As one can see in the above quoted passage of scripture there are nine listed gifts of the Holy Spirit. As we study the gifts of the Spirit we will see that the nine gifts can be consolidated into three different categories. The reason that they can be consolidated into these categories is because each of the gifts categorized do something similar. The first of the three categories are what we call the revelation gifts. The reason we call them the revelation gifts is because the Holy Spirit reveals something through each one of these gifts. The gifts that fall into this category are; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the discerning of spirits. It is this category of gifts that we will be studying in this series. The second of the three categories are what we call the power gifts. The reason we call them the power gifts is because the Holy Spirit demonstrates His power through each one of these gifts. The gifts that fall into this category are; special faith, gifts of healings, and the working of miracles. The third of the three categories are what we call the speaking gifts. The reason we call them the speaking gifts is because the Holy Spirit speaks to the church through each one of these gifts. The gifts that fall into this category are; prophecy, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
Colossians 2:1-3 “For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, (2) that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, (3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
In this series we will look at each of the revelation gifts in turn so that we can more clearly understand how each gift operates. The first gift listed as part of the revelation gifts, is the gift called the word of wisdom. Notice that the gift is not called the gift of wisdom, as so many misquote it to be. God is all-wise, and so consequently all wisdom is found in Him. In the above quoted passage of scripture the Holy Spirit confirms this truth to us, when He tells us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Proverbs 3:19 “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens.”
The above quoted passage of scripture teaches us that through His wisdom, God has created all things. And so the reason the created universe operates perfectly, is because it was created by the wisdom of Almighty God. Wisdom is the ability to know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why it should be done. And so because God is all-wise, He always knows what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why it must be done.
1 Kings 3:12 “behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.”
One who receives the gift of the word of wisdom however, does not then become all-wise as God is. And one, who receives this gift, does not even become wise like King Solomon was, for King Solomon received a special endowment of wisdom from the Lord. Notice in the above quoted passage of scripture that the Lord said to Solomon, that the gift of wisdom given to him was a once off for a man, never to be repeated again (obviously the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man, is excluded from this).
Michael E.B. Maher
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