This week we are continuing our investigation of supernatural spiritual gifts.  I believe it is important to know the real biblical gifts so we can distinguish between the true and the false occult copies.  If the church does not teach about the real gifts, the church can get trapped into believing the false ones.
Of this the Apostle Paul says, “Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (I Corinthians 12:1; see vss. 2–11).
   
FOUR KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE
   
First: natural human knowledge is on the increase.  The book of Daniel says of the end times (that began 2,000 years ago): “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4 KJV).

As of 6,000 years ago, by horseback and horse drawn carriage, the fastest a man could travel was about 25 miles per hour.  Travel under these conditions was limited to 1,000 miles per person per year.

“At the turn of this century, however, transportation aids such as the automobile, diesel powered locomotives, airplanes, and even rockets have increased the distance man can travel per year from 1,000 miles to 25,000 miles per person per year.

In 1962, John Glenn, Jr., a U.S. astronaut, circled the earth in 1½ hours. That’s 12,000 miles in 1½ hours” (Dr. Gary Fisher, “Increase of Knowledge and Travel,” Lion of Judah Ministry Website).

Second: This fallen world’s supernatural knowledge. I have seen on television a professed psychic telling a new widow that her husband is right there in the room wanting to speak to her.  He then begins relaying a message, to the biblically unaware widow, with the supposed words from the dead.  She begins to cry and think this is real.

The man is an individual practicing spiritism or spiritualism.  “This is the attempt to get into contact with the ‘spirit world,’ especially with departed relatives and friends, through the help of ‘spirit guides’ and mediums. This is the cruelest of all satanic deceptions, and the one that is peculiarly abominable to God.” For more details see the book, “The Holy Spirit and You” a Guide to the Spirit-Filled life (Bennett, 2005, p. 45).
   
Third: True intellectual knowledge goes to the level and depth of ancient wisdom as revealed in Scripture.  “ . . . Ask God that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God . . .”  (Colossians 1:9,10).  We pray for knowledge, and we study the Bible for knowledge. 
   
One of the reasons I enjoy writing for The Edmonds Beacon is that it provides an extra opportunity to dig into the Bible weekly.  I’m also helped by studying the Scripture in Hebrew and Greek. The Bible is our best guide for successful living, yet how many of the sixty-six books have we seriously studied?
   
Fourth: The Supernatural Gift of the Word of Knowledge was often manifest in Jesus’ life.  For example, He had a divine appointment with a Samaritan woman one day.  He asked her for water, and then asked that she bring her husband to Him.

She said, “I have no husband.” 
Jesus gave her this Word of Knowledge: “You have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband” (John 4:18 KJV). 

She then witnessed to her whole town about Jesus. “Come, see a man, who told me all things I ever did: is this not the Messiah? (KJV mod). 

Jesus was an exciting person to be around.  He set people free everywhere He went. 
We’ve looked at gifts of Wisdom, and Knowledge. 
Next time tune-in for the Gift of Faith.