1 Corinthians 12:8 (NKJV) 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
Over the course of this summer we have been looking at the demonstration of the Spirit and of the power of God that Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. I believe he is telling us how he broke through in a city that was big, powerful, cosmopolitan, sinful and not interested in what he had to offer. Paul knew that his great wisdom alone was not enough to win the lost in this city. He understood that even if he convinced some, their faith would be in his wisdom. For real change to occur, their faith needed to rest in the power of God. We have been asking the question, “What are these demonstrations Paul speaks of?” I realized that there are nine categories of demonstration in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Since this is the same letter, I believe we would not be out of bounds to assume that the demonstrations he speaks of in chapter 2 are the same ones he speaks of later in the book.
I believe we need to find out what they are and, as much as possible, how they work so we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he works with us to confirm the Word with signs following (Mark 16:20.) Just as important is to see them in the Word of God so that we can build faith to believe that these things are possible. Paul tells us that they are available to anyone who is in the Body of Christ. We can believe for these demonstrations as we go into the world to preach the gospel.
I want to remind you as we begin to look at them that Paul makes it clear that there are not only 9 different gifts but an infinite way in which they may manifest depending upon the one through whom they are flowing and the person to whom they are ministered. We try to understand them for learning purposes, but the Holy Spirit flows as he wills not as we will. So, let us begin to look at what things he will do through us. Not just in church but in the marketplace, offices, schools, factories and our neighborhoods.
The first three demonstrations Paul lists deal with something being revealed. For study purposes we will call them the revelation gifts. The first two are in verse 8 and the 3rd in verse 10. One of the important things to remember is that all of these manifestations are supernatural. I am 66 years old. I have more knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the spirit and the world than at any other time in my life. All of that is useful and important but none of it is part of this list. We are talking about what God will reveal to us in the process of ministering to people.
I have had more personal experience with these manifestations than the other six. God has used them as I pastored people. My wife and I have not experienced many of the hardships we had to help others walk through. I needed insight I did not have as I dealt with the people for whom I was responsible. God used these revelation gifts to help me do that. In my preaching, God would show me things I could not know that spoke directly to the problems my people were facing.
In praying for people, I pray things that they later ask me how I knew. I tell them I did not know anything but that the Lord gave me the insight to pray. Those things are the manifestation of the Spirit and the power of God called the revelation gifts. (Remember they are not gifts to you but rather gifts through you to the people who need a touch from God.)
Let us begin by looking at the first of these manifestations listed in 1 Corinthians 12. Paul writes, “to one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit.” I have heard people say, “God has given me the gift of wisdom.” That is not what this says. The manifestation Paul is referring to is the word of wisdom. To be more precise it is a word of God’s wisdom placed in your mind by the Holy Spirit. To fully understand we need to define some words.
First, we must define the word “word.” The Greek word used here means a Divine expression. That points to the fact that it is a word which comes from the divine mind, not our own. It can involve most anything that can be known from doctrine to answers to question. It can also be understood as a reasoning. The English definition is a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others. The emphasis here is that it is a limited expression.
Putting these things together we conclude that it is a divine expression of wisdom in limited form. Since it is divine, we can also conclude that it is an expression of God’s wisdom limited in scope given through us for someone we are called to touch for Jesus. It is not general wisdom but specific wisdom. It is not all wisdom on a subject, it is that wisdom needed by the person to whom we are trying to minister.
What then is wisdom? There are many good definitions of wisdom. One is the ability to use knowledge. That could certainly help a person we are trying to reach. However, Vines Expository Dictionary gives us another. The Greek word is Sophia. Vines says, “sophia is the insight into the true nature of things.” I very much like this definition. I need to know the true nature of things around me. Information can give me facts, figures and other such things. It cannot tell me what is behind them. I need to know what is true in the world around me. That is insight into the true nature of whatever I am looking at or dealing with.
We are talking here about the “word of wisdom” as a demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God. Putting these ideas together we can understand what the word of wisdom as a manifestation of the spirit of God really is. It is God communicating through us a limited piece of his insight into the true nature of things to someone who needs that wisdom. It comes to give them direction, understanding and to show that person that God is concerned for them and willing to touch them on a personal level. When this happens, it breaks down the resistance of the person and they become more willing to receive the Gospel. In a later post we will see this manifested in the life of Jesus.
How this wisdom comes through us is up to the Holy Spirit. It is also dependent upon the vessel, you, God is using. Finally, it is dependent on the person to whom the Holy Spirit is ministering. In my life it has usually manifested during times of counseling. I started pastoring at 25. It did not take long for me to realize I was not qualified to give counsel or advice to people. Over the years I have gained a reputation as a man of wisdom. Although life has taught me many things, I know the truth. I am not wise; God has manifested his wisdom through me when I needed it to help others.
We need to understand that this is not something for pastors and counselors alone. As you go to your jobs, schools, or neighbors, you can expect this manifestation of the Spirit and the power of God to help you touch others. There will be times when you will hear yourself say things that answer questions to which you did not have the answers. You will hear wisdom come out of your mouth that you do not have. You will hear people say, “How did you know that is what I needed?” That is when you will say, “I did not but God did.” The word of wisdom through you will become an open door to share the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to that person. They will not be listening to your words alone. They will be listening because of a manifestation of God’s power not your words. Those who receive Jesus on that basis will have a faith that rests on the power of God not the wisdom of man.
Leave a Reply