Word of knowledge

https://odb.org/MY/2023/04/12/the-caller

1 Samuel 3:3-10 shows us how God spoke to a young Samuel, who was then mentored by Eli, and how Samuel, while hearing the voice, did not recognise it as the LORD speaking to him. It was only the third time after being instructed by Eli that Samuel answered and asked the LORD to speak, for His servant was listening.

This well-known story of Samuel occurred during a time when prophets were spoken to by God in an audible voice. Not really of general application as these prophets were specially chosen people during those ancient times to become the voice piece of God, an oracle, to His people, the children of Israel.

In our modern context, in the era of the church, post the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we too can hear the voice of God in our spirit through the Holy Spirit, who was given to us as our Helper. The Holy Spirit convicts and prompts us when God speaks and gives us an understanding of what God is saying to our hearts.

Initially, as we embark on this journey in relating to God, the Lord mostly speaks to us for us. It can be through the Word or just a prompting of our hearts. Of course, the prerequites are righteousness and forgiveness. If we are unforgiving of others, God can’t really speak to us.

But as we mature in the faith, God may also speak to us for others. We could be God’s messenger for someone else for God to convey His message for that person through us. We may call this a word of knowledge as it is the Lord who gave us knowledge of what is happening in the spiritual realm and if He wants us to convey a Word to another person, we have become in a way a prophet for God. We could be conveying a prophesy, which is a message of things to come from God or just a word of encouragement when that person is going through something that no one knows except God.

To start this ministry and activate this spiritual gift, we could call or meet up with our close friends and relatives and offer to pray for them. As we pray, God may give us an idea of what is happening in their lives and in the spiritual realm. The Lord’s compassion and love will flow as we pray, and as we operate in the word of knowledge, that person’s faith will be strengthened because the knowledge of his situation will cause him to be confident that it is indeed God speaking through us. It will certainly boost his confidence in his walk with God. Go ahead and be that oracle for God for the lives of others! Amen!