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WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

Spirituality is not measured by word-of-knowledge as you have presented it.
It is measured by the knowledge of The Word. (Heb. 5:11-14)

It is clear that the descriptions listed are not examples of"word-of-knowledge" gifts.

Breaking down your examples tells me that:

- Examples 1 and 2 rely on discernment of spirits, another gift in the list.
- Example 3 is a combination of a natural gift (practical diagnosis based on experience)to identify a root/block; and a presumptuous approach to knowing The God's inscrutible Will -- of claiming healing on demand, in ones selection of time and mode, and against The God's allowing of sickness according to His purposes.

(One ought not to presume to heal sicknesses thinking that ones prayer will cause healing. You ought not pray for instant healing when/if you don't understand whether: (a) God intends the individual's soul and body to be parted; (b) God is using the sickness/mishap toward chastisement until the individual capitulates; or (c) it is simply an event that The God will use to show and develop compassion through experiencing the common ailments.)

- Example 4 is claiming access through prophetic revelation (also nonexistent today), combined with expecting discernment of foreknown plans apart from intelligent analysis. That sounds like just intuition, a hunch, not a spiritual gift.

Furthermore, Examples 5 and 6 require ESP, reading someone's mind -- which only The God can accomplish -- and foretelling. Neither are spirit faculties available to regenerated believer-disciples today. Don't be intimidated into believing that one can receive explicit information of future events. This is not in operation today.

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It is important to point out here that none of the examples present a definition of the term "word-of-knowledge" nor do they even illuminate one's understanding, from examples in the Bible, of what an application of the gift "word-of-knowledge" looks like. In essence, they apparently are worthless, simply being drawn from someone's imagination--fabricated and unbiblical--to prop up bad doctrinal suppositions.

Having a Bible like mine, one sees in the New Testament that the direct quotations directly from the Old Testament are shown in a different typeface, so the reader can immediately observe how often these were employed. Both Jesus and all the apostles used this "word-of-knowledge" throughout their ministries by which revealed mysteries to form NT doctrine and foundations. Now that all the former OT mysteries were revealed through "word-of-knowledge" the Holy Ghost had no reason for the further use of it; hence it was discontinued when "That which is Perfectly Complete," the discernment of the Canon of The Bible, had arrived and was settled.

From that point the spiritual emphasis shifted from using charismata in the completion of The Bible, to the current employment of the Spiritual Gift of The Perfectly Completed Bible in advancing the Work of His Kingdom! Guidance by His Voice emanating from His Holy Word is not only available to all, but needed daily by all for the Filling of The Holy Spirit in one's daily walk.

Here are some definitions of what word-of-knowledge was, as a spiritual gift, not natural talent, according to reliable commentators:

- Matthew Henry:

To another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; that is, say some, the knowledge of mysteries (1Co_2:13): wrapped up in the prophecies, types, and histories of the Old Testament: say others, a skill and readiness to give advice and counsel in perplexed cases.

- Jamieson Faussett Brown (abbreviated)

word of knowledge — ready utterance supernaturally imparted of truths ALREADY REVEALED ... Wisdom or revelation belonged to the “prophets”; knowledge, to the “teachers.” ... Knowledge relates to things that are to be done. ... wisdom is not, like knowledge, said to “pass away” (1Co_13:8)

- Adam Clarke:

By the doctrine of knowledge we may understand either a knowledge of the types, etc., in the Old Testament; or what are termed mysteries; the calling of the Gentiles, the recalling of the Jews, the mystery of iniquity, of the beast, etc., and especially the mystical sense or meaning of the Old Testament, with all its types, rites, ceremonies, etc., etc

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The implementation of word-of-knowledge was the knowledge of The Word, to reveal the mysteries that were hidden in the Old Testament, but revealed in the New Testament through the inspiration of New Testament writings of men thoroughly steeped in the inspired writings of the Old Testament. Once revealed, these mysteries were explained to all by The Holy Spirit, and once done, we have everything that The God wished us to have for faith and practice. Therefore, the mission of this spiritual gift was over. Everything that it was required to do has been done, and according to 13:8, its use was stopped. It is not in the current panoply of Spiritual tools.

What part of this is not understood and accepted, except by those wanting instant Bible solutions without proceeding in Bible training??

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If one wishes to use the Bible spiritually and wisely, it is good to remember that the Bible without The Spirit is powerless; The Spirit without the Bible is mute; and that a text, taken out of context, and misused, is a pretext -- usually to expound a lie. Look at what Satan did in the Temptation -- he misquoted and misapplied Scripture, and was firmly admonished. It's been said that the most dangerous source of earthly evil is a devil with the Bible in his hand.

Be warned, all.

The Corinthian church had serious schisms which both books addressed--persistent carnal divisions and bickering--a deep-seated spiritual error, perpetuated by undiscipled and ignorant members of the gathering. Divisionism and puffing up of self destroys unity of mind and purpose that The Christ wishes for His Church to have at all times!(John 17).

But in Corinth it was necessary for these heresies to be trotted out and dealt with, that those in the company which were approved be clearly identified. (1 Cor. 11:16-19)

And so we have seen throughout this topic a great deal of misuse of The Word by apparently undiscipled commenter(s) who seemingly cannot recognize or meet accepted expositional standards, or will not accept Bible truths that are carefully presented. Pastorbillrandles in this topic brought attention to this critical topic of exposing examples of legitimate and illegitimate handling of The Word. Perhaps its a good time to proceed more cautiously since the hidden issues have been brought to light, and some recommended corrections have been proposed.

With that in view, let me suggest to review 1 Cor. 3:1-4, eh?

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

Pray for your pastors, teachers, and disciplers that they and you may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever (2 Pet. 3:18). Pray for more disciples and unity in The Faith. Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.(Mt. 7:14)