wisdom and knowledge We have been discussing the role of the Holy Spirit in leading and guiding the believer. The scripture which has become the foundation of this teaching is Isaiah 11:2 which enumerates the seven ministries of the Holy Spirit, And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. We have also discussed the fact that these ministries are available to believers because the Holy Spirit lives in them. The Holy Spirit comes to live in you, the believer, to exalt the Word. In fact, everything the Holy Spirit does for you revolves around the Word of God. Thus, you can be guided by the Holy Spirit only in proportion to your know ledge and understanding of the Word. The more knowledge you have of the Word, the more it is possible for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. In John 15:26, Jesus said, “But when the comforter is come… he shall testify of me.” This means that when we put the Word into ourselves, we are actually putting in Jesus since Jesus is the Word. Hence, when the Holy Spirit lifts up, magnifies, and glorifies the Word in us, He is also lifting up, magnifying, and glorifying Jesus Christ in us. He also gives us the same spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and might, of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord that Jesus has. Now let’s look at Ephesians 1:17. Here Paul is telling the Ephesians that he prays for them thusly, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. Part of the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit is to reveal in us this wisdom, revelation, and knowledge. Let’s look at these three words in more depth and in relation to each other beginning with the word, revelation. This word is interesting in that it is the same original Greek word “apokalupsis” which is used for the title of the book of Revelation. “Apokalupsis” which means “the unveiling” is transliterated into English as apocalypse which is defined as a revelation. Today, we generally think of a revelation as being an understanding of something or the point by which something is made clear. As we relate this to the Word, we find that it is not enough to just know the Word of God. Rather, it must be revealed to you so that you understand it. The moment this revelation or understanding comes is the moment that the veil is dropped from the Word. I am going to explain understanding as it relates to know ledge and wisdom. First, knowledge is the ability to receive facts. Secondly, understanding is the ability to organize these facts. Finally, wisdom is the correct application of know ledge – using the facts. These definitions tell us that in order to correctly apply knowledge, you must first understand the facts you have learned. Next, we apply this information to the study of the Word. When we read and study the Word, we are seeking and taking in knowledge. Now we need to understand this knowledge, so as we study, we pray to the Lord that He will unveil the knowledge we are taking in and that revelation know ledge will begin to operate in us, individually. When the revelation knowledge does come, we are then able to step out and begin to produce the Word. It is in the doing of the Word, in the correct application of knowledge, that wisdom is produced. In other words, knowledge is for you and understanding is for you, but wisdom is the overflow that you give to others. As we look again at Ephesians 1:17, we see that God gives believers the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This gift gives you, as a believer, abilities the sinner does not have. For exam ple, an unbeliever can read a passage of scripture but not understand it. While he may understand the individual words, he has no revelation of the true meaning of the verse. On the other hand, a Christian can read the same verse, and when the revelation comes, it will make him jump and shout. The difference lies in the fact that the Christian has the spirit of life in him and so, has the ability to understand or have a revelation of the meaning of the verse. Ephesians 4:17 further confirms that there is a difference between the understanding of a believer and an unbeliever. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye hence forth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Actually, this verse is telling us more than the fact that unbelievers do not have the ability to understand the Word. It also contains a warning to the believer not to walk as other Gentiles (i.e. heathen, un-believers) walk, which is in the emptiness of their minds. Did you know that it is possible to be born again yet not rely on the Holy Spirit and not have the revelation of the Word of God? Let me give you an example. There was a time when you could read a healing scripture such as… Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sickness (Matthew 8:17), but you could not understand it even though you were born again and had the Spirit of God in you. The hindrance was that you were not willing to understand it, and the Holy Spirit will not force a revelation on you. He wants you to get your will in line with the Word so that the revelation will come. The three ministries of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, understanding, and know ledge are also mentioned in Proverbs 2:1-5, 1) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee 2) So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3)Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4)If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasurers; 5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. The Lord is telling us in these verses that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ since Jesus is the Word. This is another way of saying that we need to start digging into the Word, and if we apply ourselves, if we study to show ourselves approved, God will make sure that we have knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. In addition, Proverbs 2:6-7 says, 6) For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7) He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. These verses indicate to me that there are different levels of wisdom, and that the wisdom the Lord lays up for the righteous is sound. As we continue in Proverbs two, verses 8-11 tell us, 8) He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of the saints. 9) Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgement,and equity; yea, every good path. 10) When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee. Now let’s skip down to Proverbs chapter three where we find more about the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the Lord. Verses one and two exhort us: 1) My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2) For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee. The Holy Spirit has been given to you so that the knowledge of the Lord will come into you and so that you can rightly divide the word of truth. Then the unveiling will occur and the revelation knowledge which follows will enable you to step out in the spirit of the Lord and exercise wisdom. In verse two we find the result, or fruit, of obtaining knowledge through the Word – length of days, long life, and peace. Verse three continues with another exhortation, Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. When you write the Word of God upon your neck, the world can see it. However, you also need to write it upon the tables of your heart where God can see it. We are told this in verse four which says, So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. As we have mentioned in previous teachings, man cannot guide himself. This is further confirmed in Proverbs 3:5-8, 5) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Verse fourteen is simply telling us that we need to keep our priorities straight. We have to decide which is more important, silver and gold, or the Word of God. It should be the Word because there is not enough silver and gold on earth to buy the revelation knowledge found in His Word. As I study and the Lord shows me things from the Word, I get excited! I wouldn’t take any amount of money in exchange for operating under the anointing of the Lord for five minutes. You see, the products of wisdom are more valuable than the products of silver and gold. However,let me make one thing clear. While this verse is saying that wisdom is better than silver and gold, it is not saying that we are to shun silver and gold. We can use money, but money should not be our first priority. Instead, we should do as Matthew 6:33 tells us, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you. Let’s look again at Proverbs three and what verses 15-17 have to say about wisdom. 15) She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16) Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. 17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. When you put the kingdom of God first, wisdom comes and she brings with her length of days in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left hand. Furthermore, She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her (Proverbs 3:18). We go on to learn in verses 19 and 20 that God is not asking us to operate in anything that He does not operate in Himself. 19) The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20) By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. According to these verses God operates by knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, just as we are to operate in them. If you will do your part and take in the Word of God, understanding will come, and God will help you to produce wisdom. We need to realize that getting knowledge is up to us. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a work man that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth (1 Timothy 2:15). On the other hand, according to James 1:5, we can ask for wisdom If any of you lack wisdom,let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. When we ask for wisdom, God will give and give and give. An example of this is found in the life of Solomon. He didn’t ask God for knowledge. He had been taught knowledge by his father David. Rather, he asked the Lord for the wisdom to correctly apply the Word he knew, and as a result revelation began to operate in Solomon. The best part about this is that God is no respecter of persons. Therefore, what He did for Solomon, He’ll do for you. He’ll teach you how to deal wisely in the affairs of life so that everything you put your hand to will prosper. Isaiah 33:6 tells us more about wisdom and knowledge, And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. Notice from this scripture that wisdom alone is not the stability of your times, nor is knowledge alone. Instead, the two work together. This means that we must not only take in the Word (gain knowledge), but that we must also be doers of the Word (wisdom ). Applying yourself to the Word will bring stability into your life. Then, when the devil comes along with every wind and doctrine, you won’t be budged because you have God’s stabilizer, the Word. Isaiah 33:6 further states that wisdom and knowledge will also be the strength of salvation. I often receive calls from people who are unsure of their salvation. They tell me they had received the Lord sometim e in the past but that they are not sure if they are truly born again. The irony of this doubt lies in the fact that their confusion is a good indication that they are born again because the devil does not tell sinners they are not saved. If Satan told sinners they were not born again, he would be telling the truth and Satan cannot tell the truth! Consequently,if he ever comes to you and says, “you’re not really born again”, you should jump and shout because you know he’s a liar and that confirms you are saved! To become secure in the fact that you are born again, you must get the Word in-side of you and practice it. Then you will know that you know, salvation is yours. We have God’s promise of this in 1 John 3:25, And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:48:26 +0000
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