Wisdom: Spiritual Gifts Definitions, Scriptures, and Ways to Serve
[If you have not already done so, please take a moment now to take this free spiritual gifts assessment. Once you have your results, come back to this and the corresponding 22 blog posts for a detailed description of each of the gifts, focusing on your own as well as becoming familiar with all of them so you can spot and call them out in others.]
Wisdom
Those with the gift of Wisdom use God-given information by applying it to specific situations, providing guidance to individuals and the church. People with this gift typically can see the right course of action in the midst of otherwise confusing or overwhelming circumstances that paralyze others. Often, input from those with wisdom can shift a group’s direction or help guide someone toward greater clarity. The use of the gift of wisdom is less about authority and more about humility—rooted in truth and the guidance of the Spirit, which others usually recognize as such.
Scriptures that reference Wisdom or show someone exhibiting this gift:
Genesis 41 (Joseph);Exodus 16 (Jethro, Moses); Exodus 31, 35 (Bezalel and Oholiab); 1 Kings 3 (Solomon); 1 Kings 7 (Huram); ); 2 Chronicles 2, Acts 6 (Stephen); 1 Corinthians 12; Colossians 1 (Paul);James 3.
Questions on the assessment that pertain to Wisdom:
People look to me for counsel when there are decisions to be made.
I can usually see the wise course of action to take.
I am rarely confused about what next steps to take in challenging situations.
Some words that describe people with this gift:
Guide
Perceptive
Spirit-led
Astute
Good judgment
Insightful
Potential negatives to this gift:
Can begin to have pride the people seek him/her out for advice.
Can begin to think the gift is infallible—that he/she is always right.
Can have a hard time following a leader who ignores what he/she says.
Some possible ways to serve using this gift:
Needed in all ministry areas and on all teams!
Adult Education teacher
Sunday School teacher
Elder/deacon
Finance committee
Prayer team
Spiritual gifts advisor
Counseling ministry
Personnel Committee
Stephen Ministry
At home, at work, with neighbors, etc.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis.
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