Gifts Of The Holy Spirit: The Spiritual Gift Of The Word of Wisdom (Part 2)

What is the difference between the gift of the word of wisdom, gift of the word of wisdom and the gift of prophecy?

What we call prophecy, is sometimes not the simple gift of prophecy at all. If the words that we speak forth contains revelation to it, it is in fact, a word of knowledge.

In the gift of prophecy by itself, there is no revelation.
"But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."
-1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV)

If a christian is speaking with the gift of prophecy, and if he does not have other manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, then what he speaks will deal only with edification, exhortation and comfort.

The prophets of the old testament, on the other hand, needed the other gifts of the Holy Spirit to be at work in them for them to stand in the prophetic ministry, to make predictions of the future.

The prophet's predictions, though they came through prophecy, were in fact, manifestations of the gift of the word wisdom.

For example, when you are sitting in a taxi, you are not the taxi. You are carried by the taxi. Similarly, the word of wisdom (you) is conveyed by prophecy (taxi). They are different.

The Gift Of The Word Of Wisdom Comes In Many Forms

Like the word of knowledge, the gift of the word of wisdom may be expressed by an audible voice, in a dream or a vision. It may also come through the utterance gift of prophecy, speaking and intepretation of tongues.

Joseph, in the Old Testament received a word of wisdom through a dream when he was still a teenage. In that dream, God showed Jospeph the plans and purpose He had for him. (Genesis 37:5)

When Moses was in the wilderness, he received a revelation of the future of Isreal, where God will bring them out of Egypt. God spoke in a audible voice to Moses. It had to be the gift of the word of wisdom which was in effect.

It is also true for the prophets of the Old Testament who prophesied many of the things God was going to do for the people of Isreal. Such as sending the Messiah and the making of the New Covenant. Though the prophets conveyed the message through prophecy, it was actually the word of wisdom which they had received from God.

Prophets Take The Word Of Wisdom And Reveals The Plans Of The Holy Spirit

"And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout the world.. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."
-Acts 11:27-28 (NKJV)

Agabus prophesied that a great famine was coming. The disciples and apostles, with their discernment, believed him and immediately began to prepare to send aid to their people in Judea.

We can also read about Agabus in chapter 21, when he came to Philip's house, where Paul and Luke (author of Acts) were also present.

"And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "thus says the Holy Spirit, "So shall the Jews at jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.""
-Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV)

Notice that when Agabus spoke, he merely repeated what the Holy Spirit had already said to Him. It was a revelation from the Holy Spirit. When there are revelations spoken, it is always a gift of the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, or the discerning of spirits.

These are the only revelation three gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are no other revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible.

What the prophet Agabus said about Paul, was not a word of knowledge, but a word of wisdom. If you remember, I mentioned in Part 1 that the word of knowledge speaks about the past and present facts, while the word of wisdom is the revelation of the future given to us through our dear Holy Spirit.

Only the Holy Spirit, with his infinite wisdom, can look through time to tell us about the future.

Sometimes A Word Of Wisdom Can Be Conditional

There are occasions in the Old Testament when the word of God which was revealed to the prophets did not come to pass on the time God originally planned.

During the reign of King Hezekiah, God gave Isaiah a word of wisdom for Hezekiah.
"In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isiah the prophet, son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: "Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.""
-2 Kings 20:1 (NKJV)

After the prophet Isaiah had delivered the doomsday message for King Hezekiah and started to leave the palace, Hezekiah repented and prayed to God.

"Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly."
-2 Kings 20:3 (NKJV)

Before Isaiah left the court, God commanded him to turn back and pass the message to Hezekiah.

"Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.. And I will add to your days fifteen years.."
-2 Kings 20:5-6 (NKJV)

This was also a word of wisdom as it concerned the future of Hezekiah, where God said He will add fifteen years to his life.

God also spoke to Jonah the prophet and gave him a word of wisdom that Ninevah was going to be destroyed. This was also a word of wisdom because it spoke about the future of Isreal and the plan of God.

After Jonah had warned the people, they repented and the judgement of God did not fall on them in that generation. Many years after that, Ninevah went back to a life of sin and was destroyed by Isreal's enemies.

The Gift Of The Word Of Wisdom Is Used To Set Apart Those For Special Ministry

God will reveal His plan regarding those He wants to appoint for special ministry through the gift of the word of wisdom. I have shown you an example in part 1 of the gifts of the word of wisdom. Jesus sent Ananias to pray for Saul. telling him..

"But the Lord said to Him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Isreal."
-Acts 9:15 (NKJV)

The Word Of Wisdom Is Used To Assure People Of God's Protection

The gift of the word of wisdom is also given by the Holy Spirit to assure others about the love, protection and deliverance of God in times of troubles.

The apostle Paul was aboard a ship on his way to Rome to appeal his case to Ceasar. Suddenly, a violent storm arose. However, even before the storm came, the Holy Spirit had already revealed to Paul about the voyage.

"Men, I perceived that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives."
-Acts 27:10 (NKJV)

However, because of the advices of the helmsman, owner of the ship, and the soft wind blowing, the ignored Pauls warning and continued with the treacherous voyage.

As Paul had expected, the storm came, and the people were forced to dump their goods. When all hope was gone, Paul stepped forward to encourage them after a word of wisdom which he received from God.

"And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the Lord to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, "Do not be afraid Paul; you must be brought before Ceasar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you." Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be jsut as it was told me."
Acts 27:22-25 (NKJV)

In the end, the people who listened to Paul were encouraged, took his advice, and all reached land safely.

How many times were you in distress and felt hopeless? Fear not, for we have a loving and comforting companion with us all the time. He is the Holy Spirit. Seek Him, He will be with you always to give you a word of wisdom to carry you across all trials and tribulations!

Learn More About The Other Gifts Of The Holy Spirit.

Return From Gift Of The Word Of Wisdom, To Holy Spirit Led Christian