Gifts: Word of Wisdom
Sunday Evening Bible Study
January 2, 2000
Introduction
We now start a series of studies looking at the specific Gifts of the Spirit.
1Corinthians 12
:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom
given – didomi – to give; to give something to someone; of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage; to grant, give to one asking, let have. The verb is a present, passive, indicative, the idea being that of the giving taking place continually, not just at a single point in time (which would be an aorist tense). The same tense is used in verse 7
(1 Cor 12:7 KJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
word
– logos – of speech, a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; what someone has said; discourse; doctrine, teaching; anything reported in speech; a narration, narrative. Logos can also relate to the mind as "reason" or "account", it is also used by John to speak of Jesus Christ.wisdom – sophia – wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. While sophia can carry the idea of supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God, I believe here it is carrying more the ideas of wisdom as it relates to humans, including: The act of interpreting dreams and always giving the sagest advice; the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision; skill in the management of affairs; devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ, skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth (as in being tactful in witnessing); the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living (the practical side of knowledge, showing us which decisions to make).
Chuck: There is a difference between the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge. Knowledge is the assimilation of facts; wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.
Definition of gift:
Supernaturally perfect answers to tough problems or practical guidance of how to do something.
It does not mean that a person with this gift knows the answer to every problem. I’m not convinced that this gift is like a huge "well" inside a person and that they can just draw upon it whenever they want to. It comes when it’s needed. It comes when God wants.
Scriptural examples of the gift:
Joseph
While Joseph had been wasting away in prison for something he hadn’t done, the Pharaoh was in his bedroom having strange dreams. His first dream was of these skinny cows that ate up some fat cows, then he dreamed the same thing with ears of corn eating each other up.
(Gen 41:25-40 KJV) And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed Pharaoh what he is about to do. {26} The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. {27} And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. {28} This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh. {29} Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: {30} And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; {31} And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. {32} And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. {33} Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. {34} Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. {35} And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. {36} And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. {37} And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. {38} And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? {39} And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: {40} Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
Note:
Pharaoh recognized that the Holy Spirit was in Joseph. He also recognized the wisdom in Joseph as well.One of the aspects of the Word of Wisdom would seem to be the idea of interpreting of dreams. But there is also a practical side in that wisdom isn’t just having a bunch of facts, but knowing what to do with those facts.
Joseph is given the ability by God to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, but he goes beyond interpreting the dream and starts giving Pharaoh a way of applying this knowledge in a practical way (from verse 34). The idea of taxing the land and storing up the food is nowhere to be found in the dream, it was all a practical way of applying the knowledge.
Solomon
We all will recall that Solomon was a wise man. His wisdom wasn’t a result of superior breeding or schooling. It came from God. God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked Solomon for to make a request. Solomon said,
(1 Ki 3:9 KJV) Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
As a result, God replied
(1 Ki 3:12 KJV) Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
One of the most famous examples of Solomon’s wisdom –
(1 Ki 3:16-28 KJV) Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. {17} And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. {18} And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. {19} And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. {20} And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. {21} And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. {22} And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. {23} Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. {24} And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. {25} And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. {26} Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. {27} Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. {28} And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
Solomon was faced with a very touchy, very tricky situation. How do you tell which one is telling the truth? His way of resolving the problem demonstrated a practical application of knowledge.
Jesus
(John 8:1-11 KJV) Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. {2} And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. {3} And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, {4} They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. {5} Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? {6} This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. {7} So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. {8} And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. {9} And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. {10} When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? {11} She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
They asked Jesus a tough question, thinking they would trap Him by making Him speak contrary to the Law of Moses or else contradicting His "love one another" doctrine.
Jesus could have just done something like called lightening down on them. But instead He used the situation to make a point about judging others, while making it real to the accusers.
James
Around AD 50, the early church faced a sticky situation. Paul’s ministry with the Gentiles was growing and some of the Jewish believers were uncomfortable in thinking that Gentiles could be getting saved without having to first convert to Judaism and be circumcised. The church got together and began to let people speak. Some of the believing Pharisees spoke about how important it was to follow the Law of Moses and circumcise these people. Peter got up and told how God had baptized this group of Gentiles in the Holy Spirit before Peter even had a chance to baptize the unclean pagans. Paul and Barnabas shared how God was doing great miracles through them with the Gentiles. Then James, the half brother of Jesus, got up to speak:
(Acts 15:13-21 KJV) And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: {14} Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. {15} And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, {16} After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: {17} That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. {18} Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. {19} Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: {20} But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. {21} For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
When the church leaders agreed that this was the right solution, they wrote a letter that was to be sent to the Gentile churches, writing,
(Acts 15:28-29 KJV) For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; {29} That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
There was some kind of a witness by the Holy Spirit that this was what God wanted. It was a practical solution to a sticky situation. It was a Word of Wisdom.
How the gift may be used:
Counseling – When people have tough decisions to make, a word of wisdom will have the perfect answer. Decisions about relationships, career choices, family decisions, ministry direction...
Teaching – The word of wisdom is particularly useful in teaching the Scripture by giving specific ways of applying God's Word to lives.
At Work – You may find yourself with a tough problem at work, then the Lord will give you a flash of an idea, and everybody's amazed at how good the solution is.
How the gift may be misused:
Speaking gifts - warnings for the tongue
Quantity: Speaking too much
When we have a speaking gift (a gift that's operated with your mouth), we often think that the answer to every problem is in talking. The problem is when we start talking out of habit, and not out of the Spirit's guidance.
Prov.10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Prov.13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Prov.17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.
"Better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you’re a fool; than to open it and dispel all doubt."
Quality: How we say it
Prov.12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Wisdom is not just what you say, but how you say it.
You may have the correct answer to a question, but it won't do any good if you give it incorrectly.
Somebody may come to you for help, they're living with their girlfriend, and they ask you for advice. You get on your high horse, point your finger and tell them to repent and move out or else they'll burn in hell forever and ever. Your answer may be correct, but you tell them will make a lot of difference as to how they receive it.
Eph.4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ
A lot more is received when things are spoken in love.
Q. How can I receive spiritual gifts?
As we study about the spiritual gifts, you may find yourself asking yourself, "I sure would like to have that gift! But how do I get it?"
Prerequisites:
1. Salvation (Acts 10:44-48).
Acts 10:44-48 - While Peter was speaking to Cornelius' household, the Holy Spirit fell upon them and they began to speak in tongues. They received their gift when they got saved.
2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4;19:6).
Acts 2:1-4 - The disciples already believed in Jesus, but they were told to wait for the Holy Spirit. When they were filled, they spoke in tongues.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
This is when Paul went to Ephesus and talked with those who hadn't even heard there was a Holy Spirit.
Additional things you can do:
3. Laying on of hands (1Tim.4:14; 2Tim.1:6).
1Tim.4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
2Tim.1:6 And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
4. Waiting and praying (Acts 1:4,14; 2:1-4).
Acts 1:4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised...
Acts 1:14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer...
Acts 2:1-4 - then came the Holy Spirit and they spoke with other tongues.
James 4:2b-3 You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Part of prayer is asking. But when we ask, we need to be careful of our motives. Do we want the gift for our own selfish motives, or do we want it that the Body might be built up, for the common good?
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?
The context of this verse is Luke 11:14 (And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you).
I do not believe that you receive a single set of gifts at one shot and that is all you get for the rest of your life. I believe that we ought to be open to God giving us new gifts.
Paul writes,
(1 Cor 12:31 KJV) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
What’s the point in desiring the "best" gifts if you’ve already gotten what you’re going to get?
Also, back in 1Cor. 12:8, "given" is a present tense, continual action.
But, when it all comes down to it, it all depends upon the Holy Spirit, He is the one who decides which gifts to give to whom.
1Cor.12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.