1 Corinthians 12:4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
At first it would seem that the
words wisdom and knowledge sound similar and have similar meanings. To be
sure, these two gifts are distinct, yet they work together and both are
necessary. The Greek word for wisdom is sophia
and it is the highest kind of wisdom—the wisdom that comes from knowing God. The
“message of wisdom” is communion with God through diligent study of God’s Word.
God has given us his written Word which has been preserved for nearly 3000+
years. Those who study God’s Word have a depth of wisdom and understanding
guided by the Holy Spirit to know and understand God more completely.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
1 Corinthians 2:10-12 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
A “message of wisdom” used in Paul’s day was most likely the gift that enabled the believer to search out and compile the teachings of the Word of God. We must remember that searching through and studying available scrolls was quite a laborious task as compared to our dusting off our Bible and occasionally flipping through its pages. This was work. This took skill. It was the Holy Spirit who enabled the believer to gain wisdom and understanding. It was not a gift or function to be taken lightly then, or now. It is perhaps another excellent reason to rely on authentic translations of scripture rather than synthesized paraphrases.
The Greek word for knowledge is gnosis yielding a much more practical application. It is the kind of knowledge that knows what to do in any given situation. This is the kind of knowledge that can put into practical application the wisdom gained from studying God’s Word.
James 1:22, 25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. … But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
The tragedy today is that the two gifts are often blended into the popular phrase “word of knowledge” which has become more like clairvoyant personal revelations than truly understanding and applying God’s Word. It is incumbent upon us to understand the difference.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the gift of your Word. Forgive us that we so rarely open its pages. Thank you for those who diligently study your Word and for those who teach us to apply it to our lives. Let us not only be hearers and readers of your Word, but doers also.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
The devotional Gifts of Wisdom and Knowledge appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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