Spiritual Gifts/Knowledge and Wisdom

     Understanding the difference between the spiritual gifts of knowledge and wisdom can be confusing. I put them together today to help us differentiate between the two.

     Those with the gift of knowledge have the ability to gather and analyze information and use it to advance God’s purpose in the church. They have a hunger for and enjoy studying and doing research on the Bible. Often teachers have this gift. This gift can be used by someone behind the scenes to provide data and information to leaders, teachers and pastors.

     In addition to the spiritual gift of knowledge there is what is called, “a word of knowledge.” This word or message of knowledge can be given to any believer at a given moment. It is given supernaturally from God for a certain time and place with information that can only have come from God to benefit someone else.

To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

     Those with this gift love to dig deep, not willing to stay on the surface of study and learning.  They research and compile inrormation for the benefit of others.

     The spiritual gift of wisdom takes a step further in understanding and applying God’s truth and spiritual knowledge to complex or paradoxical situations. The person with this gift skillfully applies God’s Word to often difficult life situations. They have gained great knowledge and understanding from God’s Word and get to the bottom of a situation. This spiritual wisdom sees with clarity what needs to be done and to cut through to a simple, practical solution that others have not seen.

     If you love analyzing, studying and digging deeply into God’s Word, gathering information for others or yourself you may have the spiritual gift of knowledge. If others comes to you in a difficult situation asking for prayer and for an understanding of God’s knowledge, you may have the gift of wisdom. Applying God’s Word to everything in life with a mature and abiding faith in Jesus could describe those with this gift of wisdom.

Dear Lord,

We thank You for the gifts of knowledge and wisdom. We ask You to deepen our hunger for Your Word and show us how to apply it to everything around us as we journey through our lives on earth.

In Jesus name

Amen