I remember the first time I operated in the gift of the Word of Knowledge. It was in a small church gathering, and I had been deep in prayer for days, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself in a new way. As I stood before the congregation, I suddenly had a knowing—an unshakable certainty about a woman sitting in the third row. I saw a vision of her weeping at night, crying out to God about a son who had gone astray. I knew nothing about her personally, but the Spirit of God impressed it so heavily on my heart that I could not ignore it.
I took a step of faith and spoke. “There is a mother here who has been praying desperately for her son. The Lord says, ‘He will return.’” The woman broke down in tears, confirming every word. That was the moment I realized—this was not something my mind could fabricate. It was the Holy Spirit revealing the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). This was the Word of Knowledge.
The gifts of the Spirit are not mere theological concepts—they are the very lifeline of our walk with God. And yet, so many believers either fear them, misunderstand them, or worse, neglect them altogether. But these gifts were never meant for a select few. They are meant for every believer who is willing to be used by God.
The Word of Knowledge: When God Reveals What Only He Knows
The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural revelation given by the Holy Spirit about a person, place, or situation. It is not something learned, observed, or deduced. It is direct knowledge from the Spirit of God—knowledge you had no natural way of knowing. It is the moment when God pulls back the curtain of the unseen and lets you glimpse into His omniscience.
Jesus operated in this gift powerfully. In John 4, we see Him speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well. At first, it seemed like an ordinary conversation. But then, Jesus said something that pierced through her soul:
“Go, call your husband and come here.”
“I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband. In that you spoke truly.” (John 4:16-18, NKJV)She was stunned. How could this Jewish man, whom she had never met before, know the deepest secrets of her life? That one moment of divine revelation changed her entire destiny. She ran into the city, proclaiming, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29, NKJV).
A Word of Knowledge brings conviction, healing, restoration, and faith. It is not for entertainment. It is not to show off spiritual superiority. It is always given for a divine purpose—to reveal the heart of God and to draw people to Him.
Many times in ministry, I have seen this gift unlock chains in people’s lives. One night, as I was preaching, the Holy Spirit whispered to me about a man in the back row who was contemplating suicide. I hesitated at first, but the Spirit’s prompting grew stronger. “There is someone here who has been battling depression, and you are thinking of ending your life,” I said.
A young man burst into tears. He had come to the service as a last resort, telling God that if He was real, He should speak to him that night. That Word of Knowledge saved his life. He gave his heart to Jesus and testified that the darkness lifted from him completely.
The Word of Wisdom: When God Gives Divine Strategy
While the Word of Knowledge reveals what is, the Word of Wisdom reveals what to do about it. It is supernatural instruction from the Holy Spirit on how to act in a situation. It is divine strategy straight from the throne room of God.
In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God granted it to him in an extraordinary way. Soon after, two women came before him, both claiming to be the mother of a baby. With no DNA tests, no witnesses, and no evidence, how could Solomon possibly determine the truth?
He called for a sword. “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”
One woman immediately cried out, “No! Give her the baby, but do not kill him!”
Solomon knew instantly—this was the true mother. That was the Word of Wisdom.
This gift is crucial in ministry, in leadership, in business, and in every aspect of life. A Word of Knowledge may tell you that someone in your congregation is struggling financially, but a Word of Wisdom will tell you whether to give, pray, or guide them toward better decisions. A Word of Knowledge may reveal that an attack is coming, but a Word of Wisdom will tell you how to prepare for it.
I remember being in a situation where a church leader confided in me about a conflict that was tearing apart their ministry. As I prayed, the Lord revealed the root issue, but He didn’t stop there—He also gave a strategy to restore peace. When they followed God’s instruction, healing came swiftly. That is the power of the Word of Wisdom.
Why These Gifts Matter
Many believers struggle in life simply because they are not walking in these gifts. They live in confusion when God wants to give them clarity. They stumble in darkness when God has already provided divine insight.
The Word of Knowledge and the Word of Wisdom are not just for church services. They are for everyday life. They are for parenting, for business, for marriage, for crisis situations. How many relationships could be saved if people walked in the Word of Wisdom? How many lives could be transformed if we heeded divine knowledge?
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But earnestly desire the best gifts.” Why? Because they are necessary! The body of Christ is not meant to function in human wisdom alone. We need supernatural insight.
These gifts do not operate automatically. They require faith, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and a pure heart. God does not reveal His secrets to just anyone. He reveals them to those who are seeking Him, to those who are willing to be vessels.
So, how do we activate these gifts in our lives?
- Seek the Giver, not just the gift – Spend time in deep prayer and intimacy with God. The more you know Him, the more you will hear from Him.
- Step out in faith – The gifts of the Spirit require action. If you feel the Holy Spirit speaking, do not be afraid to obey.
- Walk in holiness – God entrusts His mysteries to those who are surrendered to Him. Purity of heart opens the door to divine revelation.
- Be humble – These gifts are not for show. They are for service. The moment you use them for self-glory, they lose their power.
- Ask – Jesus said in Luke 11:9, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.” Ask God for these gifts, and He will pour them out.
I believe God is calling His people to a higher level, a deeper walk, a place where we operate not just in human reasoning, but in divine revelation. We are living in times where deception is rampant, and only those who hear from God will stand firm. The enemy does not fear a knowledgeable Christian. He fears a Spirit-led Christian.
So, my question to you is this: Are you ready to walk in divine knowledge and wisdom?
May the Holy Spirit ignite a fresh fire in you. May He open your ears to hear, your eyes to see, and your heart to discern. And may you walk in the fullness of the gifts that God has prepared for you.
Amen!
