The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Why I’m Praying for Knowledge and Wisdom First

Why I Never Learned Much About the Holy Spirit

I’ve been in church my entire life, yet somehow the Holy Spirit wasn’t someone I heard much about growing up. Maybe I missed those sermons, or maybe they just didn’t stick. Either way, it feels like this part of the Trinity was a mystery for most of my life.

Thankfully, we serve a God who’s never done teaching us. You’re never too old to learn something new, and if you’re open, the Lord will put people and messages in your path to help you grow. That’s exactly what He’s been doing for me lately.

The Holy Spirit Is a Person, And He Brings Gifts

I still remember the moment I first heard someone say, “The Holy Spirit is a person.” It was like my brain had to reboot. I knew about the Father and the Son, but the Holy Spirit always felt a little… fuzzy. The idea of three-in-one was hard to grasp when I was younger, and if I’m being honest, it wasn’t much clearer as an adult.

But now, I understand that the Holy Spirit is not only my advocate and helper, He’s also the giver of some incredible gifts.

The Nine Spiritual Gifts from 1 Corinthians

As I was reading in 1 Corinthians, I came across this passage that really opened my eyes:

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)
⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Did you catch that? Not one, not two, but nine gifts! That’s like a spiritual party favor bag straight from heaven. Here they are:

• Knowledge
• Wisdom
• Faith
• Healing
• Miraculous Powers
• Prophecy
• Discernment
• Speaking in Tongues
• Interpretation of Tongues

The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts to each of us as He sees fit. We don’t all get the same ones, but each one is powerful in its own way.

Why I’m Starting with Knowledge and Wisdom

Now, I love gifts. I love giving them, and I really love getting them. But rather than be greedy (lol), I decided to start by asking the Holy Spirit for just two: knowledge and wisdom.

To me, those go hand in hand. I can have knowledge about a situation, but without wisdom, I might not know what to do with it. That’s why I’m praying for both, because what good is knowing something if I don’t have the sense to apply it the right way?

As Miles Kington famously said:

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”

Miles Kington

Exactly.

Where Do We Get Knowledge and Wisdom?

• Knowledge is everywhere: Google, schools, books, podcasts, sermons, and conversations. We’re drowning in it.
• Wisdom? That’s a rarer gem. And it’s one the Holy Spirit wants to give us, if we just ask.

You might already know what your spiritual gift is, or maybe you’re like me and just now realizing there are nine waiting to be explored. Either way, don’t be afraid to ask the Holy Spirit for help. He wants to equip you. And He knows exactly which gifts will bless you and those around you the most.

So, if you love gifts like I do, start praying. You never know what the Holy Spirit might have wrapped up just for you.

To God Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

Let’s End with a Prayer

Holy Spirit,
I invite You into my life today with open hands and an open heart. Thank You for being my helper, my comforter, and the giver of gifts. Lord, I pray for the gift of knowledge, that I may understand Your truth. And I pray for wisdom, that I may live it out with grace, courage, and love. Help me to discern the gifts You’ve placed in my life and to use them to glorify You and serve others. Teach me to walk in step with You every day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.