Written by Darijo Sehic

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:8; Mark 2:6-8; John 1:45-50

The gift of the word of knowledge comes from the Greek expression logos gnoseos. Gnosis signifies deep understanding of reality rather than mere information, while logos refers to the spoken word. Together, they express a specific utterance of knowledge given by the Holy Spirit at a particular moment. It is a God-given ability to convey a message, aligned with scripture, that brings supernatural insight into hidden aspects of a situation or an individual’s life.

Those with this gift receive insights, images, or visions that cannot be reached through natural observation. Dedicated to scripture and truth, they share these insights with humility, recognizing that this knowledge is a gift from God. They are characterized by discernment, attentiveness, and a reflective nature.

What does this look like in real life? How do you know if you have this gift, and how do you develop it?

I deeply believe God delights in revealing our gifts. However, He cares far more about developing a Christlike character defined by agape love. Gifts without love are of little use. As we grow in love, it is crucial to step out and cultivate those gifts today, rather than waiting until we reach a certain level of spiritual perfection.

Ever since I came to faith in Christ, there were moments when I simply knew things about people or situations without understanding how.

During my first year of theological studies, I served on the counseling team at a David Wilkerson evangelistic crusade. I prayed for a scripture verse to share with people during the altar call. Wanting to find a verse that could be like a prophetic word for people, I chose Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery: “Neither do I condemn you; go and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:1) I figured this was a safe, encouraging verse.

One evening, I approached a young man my age and told him I believed God had a word for him. When I read those verses, his eyes filled with tears. He revealed that he had just read that exact story in John 8:1-11 the previous night. He was trapped in the world of prostitution and desperately wanted out. This was confirmation that God did not condemn him and was calling him to a new life. As deeply as this impacted him, it was also a powerful confirmation for me that God still works this way today, and that He had entrusted me to develop this gift for His glory.

At times, these words of knowledge would expand into prophetic words or express themselves through songs I wrote. People would later tell me how they were comforted by specific lyrics that described exactly what they were going through.

If you have similar experiences, the best path forward is to speak with mature believers who can offer guidance. Read biblical literature, but above all, immerse yourself in scripture and prayer. Intimacy with the Lord is far more important than the gift itself. If we follow Him, He is faithful to complete the good work He started in us until the day of His return.