Word of Knowledge – Is it Abundant Today?
Many in the New Apostolic Reformation claim that the “word of knowledge” should be abundant today.
What is the “Word of Knowledge?”
What is the “word of knowledge?” It is generally understood to be when the Holy Spirit imparts direct and specific revelation to a person without the person acquiring the knowledge through their senses or natural reasoning. The knowledge is typically described as a strong impression. It is considered to be a spiritual gift. The “word of knowledge” is related in practice to prophetic revelation.
Is the “word of knowledge” abundant today?
If the supernatural gift of “word of knowledge” were so abundant today among those who claim to “move in that area,” why does God speak multitudes of things throughout the week but not reveal critically important information?
For example, why did God not tell Joyce Meyer, who frequently claims to “hear from the Lord,” anything about her personal bodyguard having an affair while plotting to strangle his entire family to death?1
Why did God withhold the knowledge from C. Peter Wagner that his NAR World Prayer Center co-founder Ted Haggard was using drugs and having sex with male prostitutes?
The “word of knowledge” is either hopelessly unpractical or, more likely, these people are not really exercising the gift that is being described in the Bible.
Conflicting “Word’s from God?”
There is also the issue of conflicting “words from the Lord.” In Lizzy’s words, “I had believed to have heard from the Lord that I was going to meet my future husband at this church.” Leaders from her church confirmed her “prophetic word.” But after sharing it with her prospective husband (whom she barely knew) he replied that “he believed God was telling him to pursue another young lady, that God told him to marry someone else…”2 She reports that this experience is common.
Of course, this does not prove these supernatural gifts have ceased. But it does show there are people today who think they have the “word of knowledge” and/or the ability to receive divine revelation but really do not.
Where is Christian discernment?
God has commanded each Christian to “test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21). In other words, God commands skepticism. He has told us there would be “many deceivers” (2 John 1:7).
Christians have a God-given duty to remain skeptical of anybody who claims to have the ability to receive revelation from God, especially when such revelation is said to be on par with OT prophets and NT apostles. How many things should be tested? The Bible says all things. Only what passes the biblical doctrine test should be held onto. Not everyone who claims to have a spiritual message should be implicitly trusted, not even angels (Gal. 1:8). “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God…” (1 Jn. 4:1). Everything must be compared to the Word of God (Acts 17:11).
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- “Audrey Barrick, “Joyce Meyer’s Ex-Bodyguard Convicted of Murder,” The Christian Post, May 7, 2011, https://www.christianpost.com/news/joyce-meyers-ex-bodyguard-convicted-of-murder-50138/. ↑
- “Leaving the Nar Church: Lizzy’s Story (Part 1),” Pirate Christian Media, accessed July 8, 2018, https://bereanresearch.org/leaving-nar-church-lizzys-story-part-1/.