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Gifts of the Spirit pt.3-Word of Wisdom

The gift of the word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation of the divine plans and purposes in the mind of God.

(There is godly wisdom and man’s wisdom. We are, of course, discussing only God’s wisdom.)

Wisdom can be defined as the capacity to make due use of knowledge. Whereas the word of knowledge reveals a present or past fact, the word of wisdom pertains to the future.

Wisdom is the skillful use of knowledge to create a godly, safe, and prosperous future. Proverbs, a book filled with wisdom, states in 3:1–2, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”

The gift of the word of wisdom, though, is not the general, simple wisdom regarding the affairs of life that we all can ask for and that God gives liberally (James 1:5). The word of wisdom is not the wisdom found in the wisdom books of the Old Testament. The word of wisdom is not the wisdom that Solomon received from God.

The word of wisdom is a word, a piece, a fragment of all of God’s wisdom that He wants us to know at a given time that pertains to something in particular.

For those who hear God’s voice, the word of wisdom seems to be the most frequently used gift of the Spirit. I say that because from all of the times that I’ve asked people to tell me about their experiences in hearing God’s voice, the word of wisdom is seen most often.

For example, often the word of wisdom comes in the form of a warning. I heard a testimony about a woman who, when she returned home after shopping, stopped at her door because an alarm just went off inside her. The Holy Spirit said, “Stop! Do not go inside!” This word of wisdom was given with such power and urgency that she called the police. When the police arrived and went through her house, they found a known rapist hiding inside, waiting for the woman.

Like the gift of the word of knowledge, the Holy Spirit can reveal a word of wisdom in numerous ways. For example, through an inward revelation, the audible voice of God, a vision, or a dream.

New Testament Example

We looked at these verses in the Word of Knowledge teaching. Here again is the letter to the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11):

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Did you notice the sentences that contain the word of wisdom? (“I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. … He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”)

As seen in these verses, the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom can operate within the same particular message from God.

Modern Day Example

One minister had just given another minister a tour of his new church. When the visiting minister was about to leave, God spoke a word of wisdom to him. God told him to tell the other minister that he was going to die unless he judged himself (1 Corinthians 11:31) on three things: his diet (he was grossly overweight), his attitude on money, and his lack of love for others.

Actually, this word of wisdom was combined with the word of knowledge. The word of knowledge revealed the minister’s present-tense condition (bad diet, lust for money, and an unloving heart). The word of wisdom stated that he would die if he did not judge himself.

The visiting minister gave the other minister the entire message. Unfortunately, he refused the word of wisdom that God gave him—he did not judge himself—and he died.

When God give us a personal word of wisdom, He is giving us a powerful key to unlock the future that He wants for us.

It is my prayer for you that Father will continue to help you to hear His voice, and more and more frequently.

With God’s grace and in His peace,

Gary

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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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