Recently I read that a Word of Knowledge concerns things or events that were true in the past or are true now. Prophecy concerns things or events that will be true in the future. This may be an oversimplified description of the two, maybe. Also, there might be some overlap between Prophecy and Word of Knowledge, such as an event in which a word of knowledge leads to a prophetic declaration.
(Not all English translations use the term "Word of Knowledge". Some versions call it a "message of knowledge" and some call it an "utterance of knowledge". But the examples I'm sharing should leave no doubt about what I'm writing about.)
Now to me, the Word of Knowledge listed in First Corinthians chapter 12 verse 8 is very specific revealed knowledge, not just inspired insights (such as scientific or medical breakthroughs which are valuable, too, and for which we thank the Lord.) Therefore, I had been looking around and had found an example in Luke chapter 2 verses 25-32 of what is a classic example of a Word of Knowledge.
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Another example, in which the word of knowledge led to a prophetic declaration, is found in Acts chapter 5 verses 1-11.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
OK, here's another example. A few days ago, the worship team at my church led a song in which the words were as follows: "It may look like I'm surrounded, but I'm surrounded by You." So, I immediately (really!) thought of Elisha and his servant in a city called Dothan. This is found in Second Kings chapter 6.
8 Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.”
And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Yes, it looked like Dothan was surrounded, and indeed it was surrounded by the Syrian army. But more importantly, it was surrounded by the Lord's army!
Now Elisha was a very colorful character, and I mean that in a good way! You can read about him in Second Kings chapters 2 through 9. The Lord God kept telling him things, and Elisha had faith to believe what he was told! He was given many words of knowledge; he spoke them out, and they proved to be true!
Now do people still receive words of knowledge? That is, does the Lord God continue to tell people specific facts today, things they have no way of knowing, no way of figuring it out?
Well, it is written in Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8: " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." So, He hasn't changed and He doesn't change, and that's a very good thing! Father God doesn't change either!
Therefore, I believe He continues to share words of knowledge.
OK, this can be abused. People can pretend they're receiving a word from the Lord God. Also, people might think they are receiving supposedly "prophetic words" at a seance! But NO! Stay away from seances! In fact, stay away from all of the occult!
However, through it all some Words of Knowledge and some prophetic declarations really are legitimate! Well, how can we know which are true, which are legitimate?
In First John chapter 4 verse 1 it is written: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
So how do we test the spirits? In short, we get the Peace of God on what is said! Or else we reject it! And that takes time! The very first step to take is to get to know the Lord God Himself through the written Word of God, that is, the Bible! Ask Him to reveal Himself to you! I believe He will, if you can receive it.
All scripture quoted here is from the NKJV.
Blessings!
Larry Carroll
