SPIRITUAL GIFTS - GIFTS OF REVELATION

Wisdom, Knowledge and Discerning Spirit corporately gifts of revelation. Believers can receive one or more from this category as determined by the Will of God given through the Holy Spirit. I believe there is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is gained through studying new information, having a confident understanding of that concept or subject and storing that information on the concept or subject for future use. Wisdom is more insight and understanding; it is the ability to make sound judgements and decisions. It is not gained by studying or memorization by gained through learning from experiences and applying it to future events. For me I think of it as the difference between what we call common sense and book smarts. Book smarts are facts, data driven. Studying, memorization of facts while common sense is the ability to perceive and understand a problem, to think about a problem and derive a way to solve it. Dictionary.com defines common sense as practical judgement that is independent of any specialized training or knowledge which aligns with the common accepted definition of wisdom.

So, as we dig into knowledge, wisdom and discernment let us pray.

Gifts of Revelation

1 Corinthians 12:8, 10

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

I. THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

A. Explanation of Spiritual Knowledge. This does not mean nor does it include human intelligence. The Spiritual Gift of knowledge is not knowledge gained from studying, reading, or experience, nor is it based on someone’s skill or natural ability.

Proverbs 1:7 – Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

Fear of the Lord is complete understanding of His power and might; internalizing His omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscient; reverence for His Holiness, purity

Fear of the Lord is the desire to please Him and walk in His Will that is why it is the beginning of knowledge – when you desire to do His Will over yours, you gain a smidgen of His knowledge to know what His Will is.

Proverbs 2:6 – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

This is God-based knowledge – a supernatural revelation.

B. Examples of Biblical :

1. The Disciple John exiled on the island of Patmos and knowledge is given of future events yet to come —

Revelation 1:9-17; 2-3 regarding the churches – I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

2. Ananias – received knowledge of Saul’s conversion to Paul in complete detail —

Acts 9:11–12 – Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

3. Elisha received knowledge to expose a hypocrite and liar in the church —

2 Kings 5:20–27 – He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ ” And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

4. Peter received knowledge to reveal lying and greed in the church —

Acts 5:3-11 – But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

5. 2 Disciples were give knowledge that helped them find a location for the Passover and Jesus’ last supper —

Mark 14:13–15 – And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

C. Enunciation. The Gift of knowledge may be delivered by dream or vision like John and Ananias, through guidance of the Holy Spirit like Peter and Elisha, or the Word of God like the two disciples. However, God’s Word is always to be adhered to and is never contradicted by visions, dreams, prompting of the Holy Spirit or taking the Word of God out of context.

II. THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF WISDOM

A. Explanation of Spiritual Wisdom. The Spiritual Gift of wisdom is given by supernatural revelation from the Spirit for God’s Purpose.

B. Examples of Biblical Spiritual Wisdom:

1. The wise men were Scripture intelligent but needed Spiritual Wisdom to find Jesus as a child—

Matthew 2:12 – And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

2. Joseph – Matthew 1:20-21 – But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

III. SPIRITUAL GIFT OF DISCERNING SPIRITS

A. Explanation of Discerning Spirits – The Spiritual Gift of Discerning spirits is given by the Holy Spirit, through the Holy Spirit, to equip a person to instantly be able to discern between the Spirit of God and evil spirits. This is not human intelligence nor human ability, through normal human experiences. This is not fortunetelling or tarot card reading nor does it have anything to do with séances.

1 John 4:1-6 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

B. Examples of evil spirits and discernment

1. Satan— Satan may not be able to conquer Christians he is able to deceive believers

Matthew 24:23-24 – Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Matthew 24:11 – And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Revelation 12:9 – And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 – The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

1. Demons—1 Timothy 4:1. These spirits are very deceptive. The Bible warns that we should “try the Spirits” (John 4:1).

Jude 1:9 – But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Revelation 18:2 – And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Let us pray