The Nine Gifts of the Spirit -- part 5
The Gift of the Word of Knowledge
This week we will begin our study of the three “revelation gifts” which are known as the gift of the word of knowledge, the gift of the word of wisdom, and the gift of discerning of spirits. Let’s start today with the gift of the word of knowledge.
The word of knowledge gift is defined as supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts in the mind of God. This knowledge is in part and only recalls a portion of the past or present. Sometimes the gift will inform us of impending danger, trouble, or judgment. At other times, the gift reveals secrets of men, recalls forgotten knowledge, converts a sinner, detects evil, or gives encouragement.
Once when I was counseling a young lady regarding her continual fear, I suggested we stop talking and pray for a few minutes. Immediately I saw a vision of a little girl on the ground and someone had fallen and was lying on top of her. These two people had been climbing up an embankment and in the process they fell down.
As I shared what I saw in the vision, the lady I was counseling remembered this event in her life. She and her mother were going up a hill when her mother slipped and fell on top of her. The impact made the girl feel like she was suffocating.
That event was the key to her fear. Fear had entered her life that day as a child. We prayed, the lady was delivered, and she later went on to become a missionary in France. The spiritual gift of the word of knowledge led this woman to her freedom!
There are many examples of the word of knowledge in the Scriptures. We find in chapter nine of the book of first Samuel that God explains what He will do and whom He will anoint to reign over Israel through a word of knowledge He gives to the prophet Samuel.
1 Samuel 9: 15-16 (NKJV)
Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
In chapter nine of the book of Acts we find an account about a man named Ananias. Through the operation of this spiritual gift of the word of knowledge, he is given a street address, the name of the man who lived there, what to pray for and why. Ananias did everything by the gift of the word of knowledge.
Acts 9: 10-13 (NIV)
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”
I have had many experiences with directions from the word of knowledge like this. The Holy Spirit has told me where to go to lead someone to the Lord. He has told me where to go to find a specific book I need to read. I have even had Him direct me to sales for clothing, specials for furniture, and even to a car dealership to buy a car! Each place He directed me had exactly what I needed and often on sale besides!
Mothers of Nations, the spiritual gift of the word of knowledge is an incredible blessing to us as believers. What experiences have you had regarding this particular gift? Please share your experiences with us here on the website.
Dr. Sharon Predovich
