Hidden Treasures – The Presidential Prayer Team

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:8

When you receive a gift, much of the time it is of temporary value – a card, cash, a book, something for your house, car, or another material thing. The apostle Paul spoke to the Church at Corinth with the more permanent gifts in mind. The unique quality of the gift is that its source is the Holy Spirit and the gift is unique to you.

In today’s verse, Paul writes of wisdom and knowledge. The first does not always follow the other, but there are indeed some saints who have a special ability to study Scripture and discover the full meaning of passages, individual words or phrases, and the truths presented in them. Some scholars such as C.H. Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, H.A. Ironside, and others have conveyed that knowledge in commentaries written to provide understanding for believers.

Wisdom involves an understanding of who God is and what He requires of you, and the ability to use that knowledge in your everyday decisions. Not everyone is a scholar, but in your consistent study of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will reveal truths to you that will allow wisdom to guide you. “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly” (Colossians 3:16). The world will try to deceive you, but you can be encouraged as you stand firm in the faith. In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

Pray today for those in this nation, both citizen and leader, who have yet to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Only then will the Spirit of God bestow on them His unique gifts that will provide true wisdom and understanding to make the decisions necessary for the good of all.

Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:8

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Colossians 1:1-10

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

⁶Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

⁸See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.