SOME EXAMPLES AND USES OF THE WORD OF WISDOM.

1. To reveal the eternal counsels and sovereign purposes of God and vital spiritual truths.

All the divine revelations in Scripture of the purposes of God came through this gift.2Tim.3v14-17. The Greek word for inspiration means literally "God-breathed" in2Tim.3v16.. Christ said the Scriptures could not be broken, this was because they were breathed by God. Jn.10v35. See how often the phrase "Jehovah said unto Moses" occurs in the books that Moses wrote, he received truths from God by word of wisdom, and this gift is manifested in all the writings of the prophets. The "oracles of God" came through the manifestation of the word of wisdom. Acts.7v38. Rom.3v2. Heb.5v12. Christ was very angry with the religious leaders of His day because their false traditions had made the revealed words of God's wisdom of non-effect. Mk.7v8-13. The Bible claims inspiration, and substantiates its claims. Jer.1v9. 5v14. Ez.1v3. Hos.1v1. Joel.1v1. Micah.1v1. Zeph.1v1. Haggai.1v1. Zech.1v1. Mal.1v1. 2Chron.15v1. Numb.12v6-8. Exod.4v12. Mt.5v18. 21v42. 22v29,31,32. 26v54. Mk.12v24. Lk.16v30,31. 4v4.,8,10,17-21. 24v25-27,44,45. Jn.5v39. 10v35. 19v35. Rom.1v1,2. 1Cor.2v10-13. 1Cor.14v37. Gal.1v11,12. Eph.3v1-4. 1Thes.2v13. Rev.22v16-20. 2Tim.3v14-17. etc.

Words of wisdom can be divided into two main groups.

a. Truths and principles for living by, general commands.

God is very interested in how we live, both the law and Christ's teaching, were mainly directed at getting people to live holy and clean lives, i.e. to put love into action. The Scriptures reveal to us the nature and end of sin and contrast this with the glorious end of a life of love and holiness. Christ Jesus came to save us from the penalty and power of sin.

b. To reveal God's hidden purposes and His plan of the ages.

Certain purposes of God are not just for individuals, local circumstances, or even for nations, they are God's eternal purposes and sovereign plans for His whole creation, some of them are not even dependent upon men's reactions. These hidden purposes of God are called "mysteries," this does not mean "mysterious things," it means "secret purposes." These secret purposes of God are revealed unto His children. Eph.1v9,10. 3v3-11. Some of these purposes of God have been kept hidden from all, even the angels, since the foundation of the world. Mt.13v17-35,11. Lk.10v21-24. Rom.16v25,26. Col.1v26. 1Cor.15v51-53. Those who know these hidden truths have a responsibility to tell others. 1Cor.3v1,2. 4v1,2.

God's plan for the ages. Eph.1v21 2v7. 3v11.

The Greek for "eternal purpose" in Eph.3v11. is "plan for the ages." God had a plan for all ages before He started His creation, an incredibly complex and wise plan. Every age up to the Great White Throne judgement has been a preparation for the ages of ages after that great judgement. During the preparatory ages, God is setting the free wills of His creatures and proving that love is the only thing that can make community life a blessing. At the great White Throne every mouth will be stopped, for God will show the perfect justice and wisdom of His dealings, and will prove by past history His loving rule and the rule for love, mutual happiness in community life is quite impossible. The Bible tells us of the following ages, the angelic ages in heaven; the earth under angelic rule, which ended with the judgement of the earth after Satan's fall; the very short age of divine communion with man in Eden; the age of divine forbearance which ended with the flood; the age of human government in the light of the flood, which ended with Babel; the age of promise, started by the promise given to Abraham; the age of law; the present age of grace; the Millennial age of stern judgement, which ends with the Great White Throne judgement of all free-will creatures; this is followed by endless ages of ages, when God shows His children men and angels the everlasting joys reserved for them. After the captivity in Babylon a period started called the times of the Gentiles, this will continue right up to the establishment of Christ's Millennial kingdom. During this period God is allowing men's own failure to demonstrate the fact that no matter which person or nation rules, happiness is impossible without His loving rule and the rule of love.

The whole of God's great plan of the ages revolved around God's central purpose of creation, redemption in Christ, without which no creation would have been possible, Christ's death was fore-known and planned before the foundation of the world. Rev.13v8. Titus.1v2. We are also told of other hidden purposes of God as children of God, Mk.4v11. Mt.13v11. Lk.8v10. Rom.11v25. 16v25. 1Cor.2v7. 4v1. 13v2. 14v2. 15v51. Eph.1v9. 3v3,4,9. 6v19. Col.1v26,27. 2v2. 4v3. 1Tim.3v9,16. Rev.1v20. 10v7. 17v5,7. We are also told of Satan's purposes and plans. 2Thes.2v7-12. Rev.2v13,24. Is.14v12-14. Most of Satan's children are deceived by their master, we are beloved children of God, and our Father does not deceive us, he tells us His hidden secrets. The Scriptures also reveal Satan's plan to ravage and destroy the earth, and how he will try to compel all the earth to worship him by brute force and violence, how different from the beautiful and lovely desires of the great God of love.

God told many of His Old Testament and New Testament saints of purposes of His which were hidden to other people, Enoch had Christ's second coming revealed to him, Jude.v14.; Abraham had the revelation of Christ's first coming Jn.8v56.; Daniel had the revelation of the first and second coming of Christ, the great judgement throne, and coming ruling world empires, Dan.9v20-27. 7v1-16.; and the apostle John and the apostle Paul received equally astounding revelations of the plans and purposes of God, Revelation all. 1Cor.15v51-53. 2Cor.12v1-4. These are but a few who experienced the revelation of God's plans and purposes. The wonderful thing is that we have been told these plans and purposes and will have a part in their fulfilment, and will enjoy during the ages of ages the wonderful plans of our heavenly Father and unsearchable riches of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph.2v4-7. 3v8,14-21. Hallelujah!

2. To warn of future divine Judgement.

a. Noah warned of the flood. Gen.6v18-22. The proofs that the flood was universal are:-
1. If it had been a local flood there would have been no need for an ark. Noah built a ship of almost 20,000 tons in weight, as large as some modern ocean liners, it was quite unnecessary for a local flood.
2. We are told inGen.7v19,20., that the water covered all the high mountains.
3. We read in Gen.7v11,24. and 8v2., that the foundations of the great deep played a part in the flood, this speaks of ocean depths.
4. The flood continued for one year, and it was seven months before Noah could venture out of the ark after grounding on Ararat. Gen.7v11 with 8v4,14.
5. The Scriptures tell us that all men outside of the ark died, Gen6v17. 7v21-23. Mt.24v37-39. Lk.17v26,27. 1Pet.3v20. Only a universal flood can fit the words of Peter in 2Pet.3v3-10., Peter says that the wicked will be destroyed by fire at Christ's coming, as the flood destroyed them in the time of Noah.

b. Abraham warned of the destruction of Sodom and the other cities of the plain, Gen.18v17-33. 19v12,13., by Jehovah the Son, angels perform the judgement, v13..

c. Elijah foretells Ahab's death. 1Kings.21v17-27. This frightens Ahab into a measure of repentance, but Micaiah confirms Elijah's prediction after further sin and rebellion against God by Ahab. 2Chron.18v1-34. 1Kings.22v1-39.

d. God told many prophets to judge Israel and Judah by captivity. 2Chron.36v15-21. Ezek.9v1-11. Is.10v5-27. God used the cruel Assyrians and Chaldeans to perform His purpose of judgement.

e. Christ warned Jerusalem of judgement, but to no avail. Lk.19v41-44. Mt.23v29-39. He also warned that Jerusalem will reject God's witnesses in favour of Antichrist and will again perish for it. Lk.21v20-24. Rev.17v15-18.

3. To give divine direction before, or during, natural catastrophe or national disaster.

a. Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and averts disaster. Gen.41v1-44.

b. God rewards the faithful great woman of Shunem by preserving her in famine, she is directed to leave the land while the famine lasts, she has her property restored after the famine by the king. 2Kings.4v8-17. 8v1-6. God rewards her for looking after Elisha.

c. Agabus warns of a coming famine and the saints make plans to meet the coming trial. Acts11v27-30. Famine in the Scriptures is often stated to be the result of judgement from God. 2Sam.21v1-14. 24v13.

d. Paul warns of a storm by word of knowledge and guides the storm by word of wisdom. Acts.27v9-11,21-25,30-34,44. God can deliver us in time of accident.


4. To give divine direction and deliverance in time of persecution and danger.

a. David is protected from Saul, "abide not in the hold." 1Sam.25v5,6.

b. The three kings delivered from sure defeat when fighting Moab. 2Kings.3v4-27.

c. The wise men, Mary and Christ directed from danger. Mt.2v12,13,19,20.

d. Christ postpones His visit to Jerusalem, being warned of a plan to arrest Him, He goes up late to escape arrest, the soldiers which are sent to arrest Him when He starts preaching don't do it because of His mighty anointed preaching. Jn.7v1-10,44-53.

e. Paul is warned to flee from Jerusalem just after his conversion. Acts.22v17-21.

f. Jeremiah's guidance from God is rejected, the result is death for all. Jer.42 & 43.


5. To give divine defence in trial or persecution for Christ's sake.

Sometimes we can answer our foes by exposition of Scripture truth as Paul did in Acts.24v24-27. Col.4v6. 1Pet.3v13-18., or by giving our testimony as Paul did in Acts22v1-24. 26v1-31., and sometimes our own wisdom can show us the way to answer as Paul did in Acts.23v6-10.. However, in Lk.12v11,12. and 21v12-15., Christ tells us that in murderous persecution WE MUST NOT PREMEDITATE WHAT TO ANSWER, for the Holy Spirit will guide us what to say in the hour of trial, this is obviously not a premeditated clever answer but the impartation of divine wisdom. The writer has had the experience of saying things which were not in his head, you listen to yourself answer people, or you receive a flash of divine illumination beyond your capacity or outside your knowledge to answer people with. This is obviously what happened to Peter in Acts.4v8-14., he was filled with the Holy Spirit and his answer and the divine wisdom imparted to Peter and John gave them a boldness and assurance that amazed the Sanhedrin and they could only threaten them, they were unable to answer them. v16-22. 5v17-42.

Probably Christ Himself had the same experience when He answered His opponents in Mt.21v23-27., when He was asked the source of His authority, and in Mt.22v15-22. when His foes tried to trap Him over the lawfulness of tribute to Caesar. However, His answer to the Scribes and Pharisees in Mt.22v23-33,41-46. was by Scriptural knowledge.

In Acts.6v10. we read that Stephen had such wisdom and power given to him by God that his foes were unable to answer him, they had to bring false witnesses to lie about Stephen and pervert justice in an attempt to smear his character, however, so great was the presence of God with his faithful servant that Stephen's face was transfigured and like the face of an angel. In Acts.7. we see that Stephen's defence was Scriptural, his dynamic conclusion was the result of a remarkable fullness of the Holy Spirit. 7v55. When God told the Sanhedrin through Stephen, of His reaction to their rejection of His purposes, they killed Stephen, so we can see that when God gives His wisdom and power to us in persecution, there is not always deliverance, but there is always a mighty witness. Rev.2v13. Antipas my faithful martyr.

D. Gee tells in his book on spiritual gifts, of a Scot's covenanting lass, on her way to a secret meeting of Christians, who was accosted by dragoons who were after the Christians, they asked where she was going, she answered that she was going to hear her elder brother's will read; the dragoons told her that they hoped that she would receive a goodly portion. She was speaking of the blessings that come through the death of her elder brother, Christ, and His will was His Word and promises. Heb.2v11. 9v14-24. God can deliver us, but if He does not, He is still with us, and if our foes kill us, they only send us home to Father and heaven and our Saviour all the sooner. Death to the Christian is gain. Phil.21v24. Hallelujah.

6. To give divine direction in the work of God.

a. It can reveal and confirm a call from God to work for Him. Moses, Exod.3v1-13.; Gideon, Judges.7v1-11.; Isaiah, Is.6v8.; Jeremiah, Jer.1v1-9.; Paul, Acts.9v10-17. 13v1,2.. It is only when God calls a person into His work and spiritually equips them that things really happen, for where God guides, He provides and equips. There are far to many people in the ministry who have had no real call from God, and there is a tremendous emphasis upon human ability instead of God's divine call and equipment.

b. It can reveal God's strategic plans. Elijah, 1Kings17v1. 18v1-46.; Joshua, Joshua.5v13-6v5. It seemed folly, but it worked because God was in it.; Philip, Acts.8v26,29.; Peter, Acts.10v1-48.; Paul, Acts.13v2. 16v6-10.; 3,000 missionaries, Acts.2v5.; The man born lame healed, many converts, Acts.4v4.; Christ's ministry was directed by revelation, Jn.5v19,20.. How we need to rely on God's plans and not on our own, to many people ask God to put His seal of approval on their plans.

N.B. A word of wisdom can show us how to serve God, but it is not manifested to direct another person's walk with God, e.g. Jn.21v22. "what is that to thee? follow thou me." In Acts.13v2. a word of wisdom confirmed what God had already told Paul and Barnabus, they received specific guidance direct from God, others confirmed it in a general and vague way. More direct and specific words of wisdom can be given by God in an emergency to preserve people from danger. Acts.20v22,23. 21v4,10-14.

c. It can reveal God's appointed shepherd, leader, or apostle. Saul, 1Sam.9v16.; David, 1Sam.16v6-13.; the twelve apostles, Lk.6v12-19.; Paul, Acts.9v15,16.;

d. It can reveal the solution to a church problem. Acts.15v13-29. However, this does not rule out discussion, "it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us." 15v28.

e. To judge or correct sin or a wrong attitude so that God's work can prosper. The apostle Peter's sectarian views were corrected by a revelation of God's purposes for the Gentiles. Acts.10v9-22,30-48. Ananias and Sapphira are exposed and judged by God for their sin. Acts.5v1-11. The churches in Revelation are corrected and encouraged by Christ. Rev.2 and 3.

f. To reveal blessings that are to come. Abraham, Gen.12v1-7. 17v1-8.; Jacob, Gen.25v23. 28v15.; the promised blessing of the Holy Spirit, Acts.2v16-21. with Joel.2v28-32.

g. To help in home, family life, work or business. God loves to enter our everyday life and meet our needs for divine guidance and direction. 2Kings.4v1-7. Lk.5v1-11. God loves to comfort and assure His saints when they are troubled. Wxod.33v12-17. Josh.1v1-9. Jer.1v4-10. Acts.23v11. 27v22-24. 2Cor.1v3-7. Rev.1v9-18.

f. To help God's people in time of war. One of the staggering things about the history of Israel is the way God helped the Israelites to defeat their foes by divine guidance and power. They were only victorious when they followed the divine purposes and plans, and the Church will only be victorious as it follows the divine purpose and plan.


Some special points to watch over words of wisdom.

a. The time factor in prediction, you may think a prediction or promise from God may be accomplished in days or weeks, when it will be fulfilled in years. !pet.1v10-12.

b. There will sometimes be a great discrepancy between circumstances as they appear and God's word of wisdom for the future, and one may experience a real fight of faith until God's promise is fulfilled. Lk.4v1-13. Eph.6v10-20. Heb.6v12. 10v32-39.

c. Unless God tells you to do something in a word of wisdom, wait until God fulfils His purposes, don't try to fulfil them yourself.

d. A prophecy of judgement may not come to pass because a person or persons repent and put things right with God or man, Jonah.3v9,10.; likewise a person may not die who God has said will die, because of a new consecration and prevailing prayer by themselves or others. Is.38v1-22. Promised blessing may also be withheld by God because of sin. Ps.95v8-11. Ezek.18v20-32. 2Cor.6v16 to 7v1.

e. God never intended that we should divorce the manifestation of spiritual gifts from abiding in Christ, keeping God's Word, and praying through, and this is particularly true of the word of wisdom, the greatest of the gifts, it is the love-filled, Christ-centred life, that will minister and fulfil God's purposes and blessing in the way that God intends. Jn.15v1-17. N.B. v7,12,17. The prayer of faith, with or without tongues usually precede any powerful manifestation of this gift, or any other gift of any importance. Let us never divorce great grace from great power. Acts.4v33.


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