Spiritual Gits: The word of knowledge

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
1 Corinthians 12:8


Def: The supernatural revelation of facts past, present, or future which were not learned through the efforts of the natural mind.

“The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:
“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 2:15, 16, NIV.

Function of the Gift:
1. Protects the Christian from deception
2. Shows how to pray effectively
3. Shows how to help others


Four Kinds of Knowledge:

1. Natural human knowledge – Daniel 12:4
- The increase of human knowledge is exponential.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
- 1 Corinthians 8:1

2. The fallen world’s supernatural knowledge – Acts 16:16-18
- The occult
- Psychic
- Metaphysical
- Cults

3. True human intellectual knowledge – John 17:3, Philippians 3:10
- Comes as a result of knowing Christ
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit
- Through studying the Word of God
- Which brings knowledge of the will of God – Exodus 33:12-13
- The knowledge of the Lord is increasing throughout the world! – Isaiah 11:9
- The knowledge of the Lord is eternal – Matthew 24:35, 1 Peter 1:25

4. The gift of the word of knowledge

What it isn’t:
- It isn’t a psychic phenomenon or esp
- It isn’t clairvoyance
- It isn’t precognition (the ability to know the future)

These are forbidden – 1Chronicles 10:13-14, Deuteronomy 18:9-12

There are two sources of spiritual power in this world: God and Satan. Just because something is ‘supernatural’ doesn’t mean that it is good or it is from God.

What it is:
- It is a gift from God
- It is a power of the world to come – through Jesus! – Hebrews 6:5, James 1:17
- It is to profit and benefit the church – 1 Corinthians 12:7

Examples:
- Used to expose sin – 2 Samuel 12:7-13 (David and Bathsheba)
- Used to reveal the condition of the heart – Matthew 9:2-6
- Jesus ‘saw’ Nathanael long before he met him – John 1:47-50
- Used to reveal corruption in the church – Acts 5:1-10




How can we see this being used in the contemporary church?

Discerning of Spirits

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
The next three gifts are ‘revelation’ gifts because they consist of information supernaturally revealed from God.
Each of these gifts is the God-given ability to receive from Him facts concerning something, anything, about which it is humanly impossible for us to know, revealed to the believer so that he may be protected, pray more effectively or help someone in need.


1 Corinthians 12:10

Natural versus Spiritual Discernment

Natural discernment – available to Christian and non-Christian alike, is the judgment that we pass on people and circumstances, and on our own behavior, and is derived from teachings received in our homes, and the effect of our environment and culture.

Spiritual discernment – available only to Christians, is the power to know immediately what is motivating a person or situation.

Jesus and Discernment

• John 1:47
• Matthew 16:23
• Luke 9:54-56 (KJV)

The last two examples illustrate that even believers can be temporarily misled.

The Need for Discernment in the Last Days

Scripture teaches that before Jesus Christ returns there will be many deceiving spirits and false prophets unleashed upon the earth. The ability to discern between the counterfeit and the authentic is becoming increasingly vital to the health and life of the church.

• Matthew 24:1-5, 10-13, 23-24
• Revelation 13:11-14


Using the Gift of Discernment

There are a number of ways that the gift of discernment can be used in practical day-to-day life in Christ.

1. Recognition of other Christians in environments that do not allow for open conversation.
2. Evaluation of the exercise of other gifts being used within the Body of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 14:29
3. Spiritual Warfare – Acts 16:16-18
4. Deliverance ministry – Luke 4:18-19 (Isaiah 61:1-2)


Preparation for ministering the Gift of Discernment

If we are going to participate with Christ’s mission to set free the captives, then we must prepare. Here are some of the keys to being prepared to be used:

1. Submitted – James 4:7
2. Established in the authority of Christ – Mark 16:17-18

“A Christian cannot be possessed in his spirit (this is the home of the Holy Spirit), but his mind, emotions, and will can be depressed, oppressed, and obsessed by the enemy IF he has chosen to walk in known sin rather than with the Lord Jesus.” Dennis & Rita Bennett The Holy Spirit and You

Now that you are personally prepared to minister, here are some tools to use in ministry to the person:

1. Are they saved? If not, lead them to Christ. (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, John 1:12, Revelation 3:20)
2. Are they forgiven? If not, lead them to confession. (1 John 1:9, Psalms 103:12)
3. Discover the exact nature of the spirit of spirits you are dealing with. Don’t get involved in ‘counseling’, instead ask the Holy Spirit for revelation of the specific spirits that need deliverance. Ask the person to name the things that are troubling them. Treat each problem as a spiritual entity.
4. Deal with the spirit in the Name and Authority of Christ: “Spirit of Fear, I bind you in the name of Jesus, under His precious blood, and cast you into the outer darkness, never to return, in Jesus’ Name!” (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 12:28)
5. Involve the person to agree with you in prayer. (Matthew 18:20)
6. Don’t be hesitant! Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power! (Ephesians 6:10)
7. Once deliverance has happen, fill up the empty place with the Holy Spirit. Lay your hands on the person and ask that the Holy Spirit would completely fill the person with His Presence.

These are brief descriptions of a very powerful tool of God to change people’s lives. Much more study and preparation can be done, here’s some books you might find helpful:


Discerning of Spirits by Francis Frangipane - ISBN 096290497X Arrow Publications

Demons and Deliverance: In The Ministry Of Jesus (Spiritual Warfare Series) by Frank D. Hammond – ISBN 0892280018 Impact Christian Books

Exposing the Accuser of the Brethren (Discernment) by Francis Frangipane – ISBN 0962904961 Arrow Publications

How to Cast Out Demons: A Guide to the Basics by Doris M. Wagner – ISBN 0830725350 Renew Books