DEVOTION
THE 1ST
LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS
A MESSAGE OF KNOWLEDGE
1 Cor 12:7-11
7 Now to each one the
manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is
given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of
knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous
powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to
another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the
interpretation of tongues. 11 All these
are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as
he determines.
NIV
We need to remind ourselves
that all gifts are the manifestation of the Spirit. This Greek word, phanerosis,
had a direct meaning of exhibition, i.e., expression bestowment. The Spirit is
putting on an exhibition of his gifts through each one of us and it is for the
common good. Now we need to explore this next gift, the message or word of
knowledge. Once again knowledge in general is something that we can learn either
through independent study, such as in the word of God, or through the
educational system of our culture. Some have learned a great deal of knowledge
specifically in one idea, such as the medical profession, or in the sciences.
But this word of knowledge cannot be learned, for it is the work of the Spirit,
exhibiting His gift through each one of us. This knowledge would be something supernatural
or spiritually relevant regarding God and His relationship with His people.
Some message about something that is not known through any human source but comes
directly from the Spirit for a time that He determines this special knowledge
is needed for the common good. We would think that most Pastors who preach from
the word of God would be good candidates for the Spirit to express a message
of knowledge during the course of a sermon. However, that would also be only if
the Paster is open to the Spirit expressing His gifts. Still, the sermon itself
should be filled with the edification of the word of God and expounded in such a
way that it is a benefit to the common good. Nevertheless, as with most
sermons, they come from a varied time of preparation and study and thus unless the Spirit exhibits his gift of a message of
knowledge in the Pastor, his sermon may be simply from the mind of man, inspired
by the Spirit, concerning the word of God. Yet, the Spirit may well express His
gift of a word of knowledge through anyone at any time that it is needed so the
common good may benefit. Again, as with all the gifts of the Spirit, they
cannot be learned, but we only need to be open to the Spirit having his way within
us.
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