Revelation Gifts ~ Word of Wisdom ~ A Silver Lining

In this post, we will look at the first Revelation Gift: The Word of Wisdom.  As I wrote before when I was seeking my gift tools: “I should have used my zeal to seek and ask for wisdom, first.  Wisdom in all its forms.  The wisdom spoken of in Proverbs 2:1-11 and 3:1-26.  And the wisdom God will give to each of us liberally if we ask: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  (James 1:5)."

So, what is the gift titled Word of Wisdom?   I found this explanation very helpful from Word of Wisdom - Gift of the Holy Spirit (christcenteredmall.com):

“The gift of the Word of Wisdom is the application of knowledge that God gives you (I Corinthians 2:6-7). This type of wisdom is a gift which cannot be gained through study or experience and should by no means try to replace them. The gift of the Word of Wisdom is seeing life from God's perspective. As a Christian uses this gift, he begins to develop a fear of the Lord. This is the "beginning of wisdom" according to Proverbs 1:7.

The gift of the Word of Wisdom is also the revealing of prophetic future; it is speaking hidden truths of what is not known. It is a supernatural perspective to ascertain the divine means for accomplishing God's will in a given situation and is a divinely given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in problem solving…The gift of wisdom is the wisdom of God. It is the supernatural impartation of facts; it is not natural. You can't earn it. It is received from God through prayer (Ephesians 1:17).  The gift of the Word of Wisdom works interactively with the other two revelation gifts: knowledge and discernment.”

It is speaking a certainty from God.  I liken the gift to silver-lining a truth from the Holy Spirit as encapsulated in this Proverb: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  (Proverbs 25:11).

“Specifically, the Word of Wisdom is a gift that is designed to enable those who receive it to know things that would otherwise not be known to them. This gift manifests itself as a supernatural impartation of future knowledge.”  From: The Word of Wisdom | Discover What It Is, Its Purpose, and How to Activate It (curtlandry.com)

Why is this gift used by the Lord?  There are numerous reasons why He may use this gift but in short: to warn; to prepare; to advise; to counsel; to assure us of a future event.  It is meant to build up and to edify the Lord’s Church through Believers (and the user, personally). 

How is this gift used by the Lord?  Sometimes, I have confused prophecy with this gift but through my studies on the subject, I found it can work in conjunction with prophecy.  The Word of Wisdom can come through a vision, dream, or the voice of the Lord (in your mind or audibly).  Remember, the series on Hearing & Discerning God’s Voice?

Hearing & Discerning God's Voice Series – Believe Miracles Are for Today (believemiraclesr42day.com) 

In addition, the Word of Wisdom is used greatly in intercessory prayer if done correctly.  The Lord’s intercessor waits to hear God on how to intercede for a person or a situation (into the future) instead of praying out of one's own spirit (for current circumstance).  The gift operates through prayer and waiting to be used as a tool for God’s purposes.

An Example of Word of Wisdom in practice.  The Word of Wisdom was in operation when I was called upon to warn a believer of a future thief in his midst.  Here is the story.

I recall being at my shampoo bowl when I heard the Lord speak to me of a fireman who quit his job and moved to St. Louis to start a business.  I remembered him being a believer.  How did I know it was him?  Well, I didn’t know what the man looked like, so I didn’t see his face.  I only knew of him because my husband mentioned him.  I had a ‘knowing’ in my spirit it was the fireman who left the job. 

I received a ‘word’ where the Lord addressed a situation of someone who would be stealing from the former fireman.  Then, God provided scripture addresses along the same lines.  I dutifully typed up the letter and I mailed it; I heard nothing.  Within a few months, the fireman called my husband and told him that his bookkeeper was stealing money from his company and the warning God had provided panned out.

I was thankful that this former fireman took heed and watched after being alerted by the Lord of a thief in his business.  A faith builder for me but more importantly, this man of God saw firsthand, how God cared for him.

In conclusion, I have assigned the color silver to this gift.  Wisdom has long been associated with silver, think of the analogy of wise people aging with silver hair.  In addition, it is often used in the context of God’s refining.  Silver is said to be refined to remove any impurities as a symbol of how God will refine our hearts to make them fully devoted to Him.  The Word of Wisdom can refine us; purify us and prepare us for His purposes. 

With your wisdom and your understanding, you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries.   (Ezekiel 28:4).