In 1 Corinthians 12, nine gifts of the Spirit are mentioned. It does not mean there are only nine gifts. In Romans 12: verse 6 onwards, apart from the gift of prophecy, serving, encouraging, giving and showing mercy are also mentioned in the category of gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:28 calls help and administrative work as potential callings in believer’s lives leaving the door open to other giftings that the Spirit may give to help fulfill ones calling. This session we will focus on the nine gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7 to 11.
- These are supernatural empowerments or endowments of the Spirit, given to individuals according to the Spirit’s will to help accomplish Christ’s purposes.
- The Gifts are given according to the purposes of God and the calling of God in an individual’s life. As a matter of fact, many of these gifts start to automatically function if an individual starts walking in his calling ( ex. Billy Graham). There is the other side to it where we ask and receive also.
- The Gifts may have a temporary function in an individual, but gifts that pertain to a person’s ministry and calling are permanently given and God does not take it back ( Romans 11:29 ). That is why a person can operate in the gifts even when his life is not right with God.
- The gifts in operation open peoples’ hearts to the gospel and to Christ in ways otherwise not possible ( Examples). The lame man walking led to 5000 people being added to Christ in a day ( Acts 3 and 4).
1) Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
It is the wisdom of the Eternal God given to an individual. Ephesians 3:10 we see that this wisdom has many dimensions and facets. In relation to us, we will focus on three aspects of it. The first aspect of it is it far, far surpasses human wisdom. It is with this wisdom that God put the stars in place; laid the foundations of the earth; created the human body and every organ so intricately…. Daniel, Joseph, Solomon, Jesus had this wisdom and operated on it. It says towards the end of Daniel Chapter 1 that his wisdom was 10 times more than all the wise men and sorcerers of that time. Every kingdom would have wise men and they were usually men of great renown; but to have 10 times more wisdom than them is humanly incomprehensible, but it is seen in an individual to whom God imparts the gift of the word of wisdom.
As a church, we need to see how wise our God is and ask Him for the same wisdom and, through its display, glorify Christ in this secular world.
The other aspect of this wisdom is that which contradicts worldly wisdom. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1: verse 20 onwards, we see clearly the wisdom of God in direct contradiction to the wisdom of the world. We see His wisdom in choosing an 80-year-old stuttering man to lead Israel against the most powerful army in the world at that time; His wisdom in choosing Gideon, who had the lowest self-esteem in the land; His wisdom in choosing fishermen to carry out His work. The list goes on and on. Natural wisdom and reasoning would never go with those choices, but God’s wisdom does. It is this wisdom that confounds the wise and brings glory and honor to Christ.
When this aspect of the word of wisdom is in operation, it usually leads to a lot of conflict and criticism, but in the end, when the task is accomplished; surprise, awe and God being glorified.
Also, when this gift is in operation, we have a solution to complex problems or problems that are unresolved can be by the counsel and the subsequent working of the Spirit.
Example – Jesus tempted by leaders on paying taxes.
Now, we don’t need to wait for the gift to walk in wisdom. If we learn the fear of the Lord and start giving God the respect and honor due to Him, we will have a greater degree of wisdom than others.
We can also ask God for wisdom based on James chapter 1 and also based on Proverbs, as it repeatedly asks us to seek after wisdom and understanding.
Finally, we can ask God for the gift itself (1 Corinthians 14:1).
As darkness covers the earth, confusion and chaos will prevail among the people of the world, but the counsel of the Lord will be in the house of the Lord. bride will walk in the same wisdom of Christ Himself glorifying God.
