Knowledge & Teaching | Spiritual Gifts

God doesn’t care what our skill set is. He doesn’t care what we are naturally gifted in. What we think we should do could be completely opposite of what God wants. John Bunyan, for example, was a son of a tinker. He was not well learned, yet, God used him to preach and eventually write books, one being his most well known Pilgrim’s Progress. His depth of spiritual knowledge and teaching is powerful. Often we see those called to be preachers when… it’s one of the farthest things from their mind.

As with the other spiritual gifts, I want to go over what scripture says so that you can see what the Bible says on these topics. I’m trying my best not to add anything. This study on the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to encourage you to examine yourselves in Jesus. To see Him, to know Him, and to ask Him for direction in where He is leading you.

The spiritual gifts of knowledge and teaching I think are ones many people like to give themselves self-credit on. But having knowledge doesn’t mean we have the spiritual gift of knowledge. Being able to teach doesn’t mean we have the spiritual gift of teaching. This doesn’t mean those without the gifts cannot have knowledge or teach. 

Every single person needs spiritual knowledge. Even if we are not in a teaching position, we should be influencers with the light of Jesus Christ.

(NIV) 2 Peter 1:05, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge…”

Spiritual Knowledge

(NIV) 1 Corinthians 12:08, “To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit…”

Spiritual knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit in order that we know Jesus better. It is not a knowledge we earn on our own. (Ephesians 1:17, 4:13, Isaiah 11:02, Colossians 1:09, 2:02-03)

(NIV) 2 Peter 1:03, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

(NIV) 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”

Spiritual knowledge is needed for everyone. It equips us and reveals to us truths of our Savior. It helps us draw closer to Jesus, to not only follow His ways but understand them.

Some may be gifted to share things the Spirit reveals through the knowledge Jesus gives them. This is to build up and benefit the church body. Reading many books, writing books, and/or taking classes on spiritual topics does not mean someone has the gift of spiritual knowledge. This is something only the Holy Spirit gives us it cannot be learned by ourselves or through others. 

Spiritual Teaching

(NIV) Romans 12:07, ” if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach..”

Regarding the headship of the church, teachers are listed third after apostles and prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28).

Being a teacher is a very important role, one we do not always take as seriously as we should.

Not everyone is called to be a teacher because teachers are held to higher accountability. 

(NIV) James 3:01, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

In 1 Timothy we see a warning against false teachers. As scripture warns knowledge can make people prideful, teaching seems to have some of the same effects.

(NIV) 1 Timothy 1:06-07, “Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

Not everyone who wants to be a teacher should be a teacher, and it’s important we seek the Lord in every spiritual matter and gift.

The goal of instruction is shared in the verse before talking about false teachers and shows us the requirements for instruction.

(NIV) 1 Timothy 1:05, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (Romans 12:09, 1 Timothy 1:19,  3:09, 1 Peter 3:16, 3:21)

The people who do not want to be teachers often seem to be the ones the Lord uses. The ones who do not want to be heard. Those who do not want the spotlight.

What matters is the Lord must be our first Source in every single thing. We must not step ahead of Him and be willing to surrender any dream to Him. His plan is far better than anything we could come up with. ❤

-For A Full Look On Gifts and What Has Been Covered So Far see this post (list is at bottom). 

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What is something that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you?

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