Understanding
Spiritual Gifts, Discerning, Knowledge and Wisdom
The nine Gifts of the Spirit are found in 1
Corinthians 12:7-11
- 1 Cor. 12:7 "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one
for the profit of all: 12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same
Spirit, 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of
healings by the same Spirit, 12:10 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.
12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing
to each one individually as He wills.
The ministry of Spiritual Gifts originates in the
New Testament, commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ. After He
established His church on the earth and ascended to Heaven, Jesus sent
the Holy Spirit to equip His church with power and spiritual gifts
(Greek -- charismata) so that His disciples could continue to carry out
His ministry objectives. While there are certain gifts of a spectacular
nature that are often given greater attention, the New Testament
mentions at least 21 that are provided to the church.
These gifts are listed in Eph. 4:11, Rom. 12:3-7,
and 1 Cor. 12:1-12,28, and are generally assigned to one of three
categories, as listed below:
- Ministry (office) gifts: Apostle,
Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.
- Motivational (practical) gifts:
Service, Exhortation,
Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Helps and Administration.
- Charismatic (spiritual) gifts: Wisdom, Knowledge,
Discernment, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation, Faith, Healings and
Miracles.
I believe God gave the Church the gifts of
Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation, that the Church could speak in
part as God speaks. Not perfect as we yet “look through a glass
darkly.”
I believe God gave the Church the gifts of
Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment, that the Church could think in part
as God thinks. Not perfect as we yet “look through a glass darkly.”
I believe God gave the Church the gifts of
Faith, Healings and Miracles. that the Church could work in part as
God works. Not perfect as we yet “look through a glass darkly.”
The Bible says to desire spiritual gifts. But the
key is that it is done for the building up of the saints, to profit
everyone.
The gifts are not for:
- Personal Glory
- Personal Influence
- Personal Gains
Here is the key test to being used of God:
- Do I want to be used so others will come to Jesus Christ, if the
answer is no, you won’t be used.
- Do I want others to glorify Jesus or glorify me, if it is for me,
I will not be used.
- Do I want this so that I can have a ministry, or that people will
be ministered too, if it is for me to have a ministry, than I don’t need
that ministry.
I. Word of Knowledge - this is the gift of the Spirit that helps
reveal through a divine way the power of God. Knowledge:
- 1 Cor 13:8 Bible says about this gift Charity never faileth: but
whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues,
they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
A. Knowledge of some present situation---this is a confirming word—when
someone is going through a present situation and the spirit reveals to
someone else to go and offer a word of encouragement or comfort in that
situation. This sometimes can be a warning of something upcoming or a
revelation of something that has already taken place.
1. Word of Knowledge: The word of knowledge is the
supernatural gift of a portion of divine information for a particular
need.
2. It deals with events that have taken place but are not
known to the one operating in the gift. God reveals something that
exists or did exists, it deals with fact and realities.
3. This is divine impartation of factual information that you
would not know naturally. It is used for protection, guidance, and
correction to the body of Christ as a sign to unbelievers. It will often
work with the gift of prophecy and the gifts of healing.
4. Men like William Branham, K. K. and Albert R.
a. I asked Albert how he did it.
b. 1962 Isle of Wright experience.
II. A word of wisdom - this generally would be similar to
knowledge, but this would be many times a revelation of what to do next,
a door that will be coming open, a temptation that is approaching or
spiritual wisdom from the spirit on how to handle a situation.
A. A simple definition of it could be that Wisdom can put Knowledge
to work.
B. This wisdom can reach backward, be for something present, or for
future use. Wisdom:
The Bible says in 1 Cor 2:4-7; And my speech and my preaching was
not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the
Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of
men, but in the power of God. Only to those of mature faith can he
impart God's wisdom 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are
perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this
world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world
unto our glory:
- 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom
given unto him hath written unto you;
C. Word of Wisdom: Supernatural revelation of the divine purpose of
God communicated through the Holy Ghost to the Church.
D. It is the declaration of the mind and will of God, the
supernatural unfolding of His plans and purpose concerning things,
places, people, etc.
- 1st Corinthians 2:7 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our
glory.” This gift often works hand in hand with the gift of prophecy.
E. . A word of wisdom (Greek: sophia). The spiritual ability to
perceive life and truth from God.
F. Wisdom to specific situations.
G. Wisdom can be discerned by its fruit. But the wisdom that comes
from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James
3:17).
III. Distinguishing of Spirits: I believe this is a wonderful
gift but can be overused and abused easily.
A. Distinguishing of Spirits: Bible says little, perhaps: Acts
16:16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters
much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried,
saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto
us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being
grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of
Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
B. I believe this gift also works with the knowledge of the Word
- 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into
the world.
1. Important reason to fill our hearts and minds
with God’s Word.
C. This gift isn’t for the sole use of finding the devil in
everyone you meet or some hidden sin. In some cases discernment of
demonic oppression or possession will be manifested, but this is not the
sole use of this gift.
D. Discerning our own spirituality—the gift of discernment is to be
sensitive to our own spirits, to the voice of the Lord. It is a personal
revelation of areas of our own heart and lives.
E. This discerning is also for proper identification of gifts as to
their validity to the church. This discernment can be a trying of the
spirit to see if it be of God.
F. Discerning of Spirits: The purpose of this gift is to discern
the spirit that motivates a person;
G. It is not discernment as a spiritual form of mind reading.
H. It is not a psychological perception, sharp mental insight, or
the power to find fault in others.
I. There is no ESP in the Spiritual realm only HSP Holy Spirit
Perception.
J. The gift of discernment of spirits assist in bringing
deliverance to the afflicted oppressed, and possessed. It unmasks the
servant of the devil, uncovering the plans of the enemy, exposing error,
and revealing demonic activity.
IV. Discerning spirits (Greek: diakrisis): The spiritual ability
to discern from God's word between the spirit of evil and of God, the
flesh and the spirit, and truth and error, before the fruit is evident.
Paul had this experience with Elymas the magician
- Acts 13:9-12. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the
Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and
all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,
wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now,
behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not
seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist
and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Conclusion: We only listed 3 of the thinking gifts given from God
to the Church. There are nine and I am asked how many can I have? How
can I get more? The secret is really no secret, desire, use and be
faithful with what God has given you and He will give you more. Another
question is asked can I have more than one gift? It is possible to have
all nine. How can I say that because God’s Word teaches us all of the
Gifts are from the same Holy Spirit? How to receive? The Bible says
desire and be faithful. Keep you eyes of Him not the gift.
