Have you ever wondered what the Gift of Knowledge is all about? You’re not the only one. It’s a gift that comes from Holy Spirit for the encouragement of others. Discover everything you need to know about it and how to use it in love to show people God’s love for them. Learn more in the message “Partnering with Holy Spirit: Discover the Gift of Knowledge”.
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Notes from Partnering with Holy Spirit: Discover the Gift of Knowledge
Welcome
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As I mentioned over the last two weeks, this new series is intended to prepare us for the next major move of God that is on the horizon. We, as the Body of Christ, must be ready as we carry out the plans of God.
We are preparing for the Billion soul harvest, but it’s not just going to happen as we sit by and watch. Instead, every believer must join in and participate by fulfilling the role the Holy Spirit has placed on each one of us!
How do we do that? By partnering with the Holy Spirit. I don’t expect any of you can heal the sick, cast out demons, or share words of life apart from the Holy Spirit. But I fully believe that as we partner with the Holy Spirit, you will indeed fulfill the word of God.
Mark 16:17–18 NASB95 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Now I’m not suggesting we start picking up poisonous snakes to prove we believe. Satan tempted Jesus with this.
Matthew 4:6 NASB95 “And said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”
And Jesus responded.
Matthew 4:7 NASB95 “Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
But we do see the correct application and fulfillment of this in the life of Paul.
Acts 28:3–5 NASB95 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
Paul never tested God by playing with the snake, but when the snake attacked, God had it covered.
Today we are going to discuss the Gift of the Holy Spirit known as a Word of Knowledge.
It is when the Holy Spirit gives you information about a person or situation that you did not learn by natural means. It’s not natural knowledge. Like I can stand here and say you are wearing… Natural knowledge is something you can gain by observing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling; it’s gaining information from your natural senses. We all do it all the time. At least I hope you do!
When we refer to “words of Knowledge,” we are speaking about gaining information through supernatural means. That may sound strange and out there, but remember: As God is supernatural, everything He does is supernatural. As humans, we are natural, but the Spirit of God working through us allows us to participate in the supernatural.
The gift of a word of knowledge is a supernatural insight or understanding given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of others.
I believe this gift is very important as it conveys to the receiver that there is more than just the natural world around us. That there is a God who is interested in them.
I. The Biblical Foundation
1 Corinthians 12:8 NASB95 “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit.”
Let’s remember from this passage: Paul is teaching on spiritual gifts, including the word of knowledge. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit and one of the many spiritual gifts given to the Church. The gift is meant for edification, encouragement, and strengthening the body of Christ; not to be exploited for personal gain but to edify, encourage, and strengthen everyone involved in the plans and purposes of God.
II. Examples of the Word of Knowledge in Scripture
1: Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well
John 4:16–19 NASB95 “He said to her, ‘Go, call your husband and come here.’ The woman answered and said, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.’ The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.'”
Word of Knowledge is not meant to condemn or embarrass but rather to bring freedom into the individual’s life. It offered revelation; for this woman, it revealed to her that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah.
John 4:28–30 NASB95 “So the woman left her waterpot and went into the city and said to the men, ‘Come, see a man who told me all things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?’ They went out of the city and were coming to Him.”
Jesus reveals the woman’s past and uses this knowledge to guide her to truth and repentance.
2: Peter’s discernment of Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit
Acts 5:1–11 NASB95 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property and kept back some of the price for himself. With his wife’s full knowledge and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said…”
(For brevity reasons, some parts were summarized.)
Peter received knowledge of their deception and confronted them.
Acts 5:3–4 NASB95 “But Peter said… ‘Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.'”
They were killed as an example to warn everyone not to lie to the Holy Spirit.
3: Paul’s Discernment of a Sorcerer
Acts 13:6–12 NASB95 “When they had gone through… But Elymas… was opposing them… But Saul… filled with the Holy Spirit… ‘You who are full of all deceit… Now behold… you will be blind…’ And immediately… he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.”
Paul received knowledge through a word of knowledge about Elymas.
III. Purpose and Function of the Word of Knowledge
The purpose of a word of knowledge is to bring clarity, revelation, and insight. It can be used to reveal hidden truths, encourage others, and guide people toward God’s will. This gift should be used with love, humility, and discernment. Sometimes it can be confused with the gift of discernment.
IV. Practical Applications
I encourage you to pray for the gift of a word of knowledge and to seek opportunities to use it for God’s glory. The gift can be used to minister to others within the church and community, providing support and guidance. But remember the importance of using the gift responsibly and with integrity.
The Word of Knowledge is most often a precursor to something better; it’s not the goal itself. Don’t get puffed up when you get a word of knowledge; it’s a common trap many believers fall into – a pride of knowing something others do not! Instead, look to see what God wants to do with it. It has a purpose.
A word of knowledge can operate with other spiritual gifts like Healings, Giving, Evangelism, Wisdom, Prophecy, Discernment, Teaching, Exhortation, and Faith.
V. How Do I Recognize a Word of Knowledge
A word of knowledge can come in many different ways – look for things out of the ordinary:
- See It
- Smell It
- Think It
- Say It
- Read It
- Feel It
- Dream It
Words of knowledge can be challenging but be open to hearing from God in visceral ways – this can stir your heart and open doors to incredible things.
VI. Conclusion
Pray for the release and recognition of the gift of the Word of Knowledge.
Powerful message, keep on and be more blessed.