Gifts of the Holy Spirit 6

The Word of Wisdom

by Pastor John Hamel

We’re studying the Revelation Gifts.  These are Gifts that REVEAL something. 

We’ve seen the Word of Knowledge.  We’ve learned that it has to do with the past and/or the present, only. 

In this study we will look at the Word of Wisdom. 

The Word of Wisdom is a Supernatural revelation from the mind of God.  It is unrelated to human wisdom.  It has to do with people, places, events or things.  It always, and only, deals with the future, never the past or the present. 

Let’s look at an example of the Word of Wisdom from the Ministry of Jesus.  Here Jesus is instructing Peter as to how they were going to pay their taxes.  Jesus is doing the talking. 

“Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them [the tax collectors], go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” (Matthew 17:27)

Peter did as he was instructed.  Lo and behold, it was exactly as Jesus said it would be.  The very first fish that Peter caught had a coin in its mouth.  Jesus knew that it would be the first fish.  He said so.  He knew it would have a coin in its mouth.  He said so.  Actually, the word Jesus used for coin is “stater.”  That is a coin that is equivalent to approximately $4.00 plus, today.  That was exactly enough money to pay both Jesus’ and Peter’s taxes.  Jesus knew that this was going to happen just ahead of Peter.  That’s why what Jesus predicted would be classified as a Word of Wisdom.  The Word of Wisdom always, and only, has to do with the immediate or distant future.

The Word of Wisdom is considered by many to be the greatest of all nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Greatest because it reveals what God would have someone to do and oftentimes how it will turn out.  Greatest because it actually reveals future events.  What could be greater than God revealing His future plans to someone?  What could possibly be greater than Almighty God actually giving someone direction right from His Throne Room in Heaven?  Now that’s GPS.  And I don’t mean Global Positioning Satellite.  I mean God Positioning Saints.  God Positioning Saints for success.

I was once making plans to move immediately from Las Vegas, Nevada to a Midwestern State to attend Bible School.  Someone had actually just offered to write me a check for ten thousand dollars to foot the entire bill. However, down in my gut I knew something was wrong about that offer. I went to the Lord about it and while on my knees in prayer, I was suddenly caught up in a trance.  

I found myself standing on an ocean dock in what appeared to be a tropical environment. There were palm trees everywhere and a cool ocean breeze. Before me was a giant sea-going vessel in dry dock.  It was a bit of a “rust bucket” actually.  There were many men seated in captain’s chairs hanging from ropes, scraping and painting all over the massive white, rusted vessel.  I'm not sure how long I stood there watching in fascination as the men worked diligently to prepare this vessel. I had no idea in the world where I was. All I knew was I was experiencing great joy standing there in the sun of this unfamiliar paradise.

Suddenly I was aware of Jesus standing directly beside me.  I looked at His hands and He was holding what appeared to be a small pad and a pen as if He were taking notes about something.  It could have been a palmtop and a stylus He was holding before Him.  After all, everything in Earth is just a replica of something in Heaven. (Romans 1:20)  I asked Jesus regarding the rusty, unprepared vessel, “What is it?”  He answered, “It’s you.”  I knew immediately I was being prepared for something and this was symbolic of whatever that was. I also knew that whatever I was being prepared for I was not ready for! So I just asked Jesus outright, “When will it be ready?”  Jesus answered kindly, “In nine months.” 

I should have been disappointed but somehow disappointment just never seems to be an option when you’re in the presence of Jesus. (Unless you're being rebuked.)  I felt pretty good standing there beside Him in the sun looking at that giant vessel symbolizing me and my rusty, unready condition.  Suddenly I came out of the trance as quickly as I had entered into it.  I was still on my knees just as I had been prior to the trance. I may only have been caught up in that paradise for minutes but it sure felt much longer.

I knew that Jesus had just personally told me that I would not be going to Bible School until the next year. This was a Word of Wisdom because it concerned the future.  I was also presently an unready vessel for His purpose.  This was a Word of Knowledge.  It is not unusual for these two Gifts to operate together. 

Jesus was telling me to not go to Bible School immediately as I had planned.  His plan and purpose for me was to wait and go the following year.  I was not to leave for another nine months.  He needed to do further work in me before I would be ready to fully benefit from that experience.  I obeyed Him and the metaphorical rust scraping and painting continued over the next nine months.  

I also knew to refuse the ten thousand dollars. Somehow, the visitation of Jesus had graced me to do just that. As it turned out, that individual was trying to make improper inroads into my life with that money. They soon became my enemy. The Lord knew this would occur.

The following year I proceeded to Bible School as He had instructed.  Four families ultimately paid my tuition, housing, transportation and all other expenses.  I never asked any of them for anything.  The Lord put it on their hearts to offer it to me.  When God guides, God provides.  When it's God's will, it's God's bill.  Had I gotten ahead of His timing and disobeyed what Jesus had told me in the vision I’d have been sunk!

The Word of Knowledge and the Word of Wisdom can come to us in many ways.  They can come through a dream, an inward picture, an open vision, a trance, God’s still small voice, God’s authoritative voice, a simple inner knowing, through other human beings, through an Angel or even through Jesus Himself delivering a Word to us.  Visit our Faith Building Bible Study Centre for fifteen detailed lessons on “Supernatural Biblical Guidance.” 

However these Revelation Gifts come, if we will obey what God is revealing, we’ll get the blessings and God will get the Glory.

Be Blessed … John and Barbara Hamel