7 Ways Words of Knowledge Are Received

One way God reveals His will to His children is through a word of knowledge that tells about a past or present event.

This is God’s “right now word” He gives in order to meet a need or give direction. People refer to this as “reading someone’s mail” because of the incredible insight into others’ lives. This amazing gift changes people, but it can also make us unpopular with those who don’t want us to know their secrets. God reveals this so we can understand “the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3 NKJV).

So what exactly is a word of knowledge? To be clear, the gift we are talking about here is not the gift of knowledge, but the “word of knowledge.” The word of knowledge is a revelatory gift from God. It is God’s people getting a glimpse into the thoughts of God that reveal His heart, His ways, and His plans. A word of knowledge is supernatural knowledge, revealed knowledge, given to an individual from God Himself. It has nothing at all to do with increased IQ levels or human intellect. It has everything to do with supernatural knowledge, given by God, to an individual for the sake of edifying and/or equipping another. A word of knowledge is received when Holy Spirit enlightens someone by transmit- ting His specific, supernatural knowledge to them on something that they would have no ability or means to be able to know about with their own limited intellect. A word of knowledge is when God supernaturally imparts comprehension of a current or past situation to you that you would not otherwise know. As believers, words of knowledge are to be used in love to minister what heaven is saying to earth today—more specifically, what divinity wants to communicate to humanity.

I am convinced there is a voice from heaven that doesn’t require words. All that is required is that we listen. A word of knowledge is knowledge from God that can be for you personally or for the people around you. It is one of the revelatory gifts and has been known to manifest with a sense of urgency. There are several ways that a word of knowledge can manifest in the lives of believers.

The key to hearing the voice of God is faith. Scripture tells us that we are to prophesy according to our faith. Romans 12:6 (NLT) tells us, “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.” There is no “secret sauce” or shortcut to growing in the gift of words of knowledge. It requires taking risks consistently and learning what it feels like when He is speaking and what it feels like when He isn’t. Basically, we learn to flow in words of knowledge through trial and error. Words of knowledge require both faith and boldness. I love to celebrate with the recipient when the word of knowledge is spot on and confirms something with them. However, when I’ve missed it in the past with words of knowledge and the word doesn’t connect with an individual at all, I’ve realized that this gift also requires humility to admit when you’re wrong.

One biblical example of a word of knowledge was given to the apostle Peter during a vision he was given while in Joppa. Acts 10:9-16 (NKJV) says:

The next day…Peter went up on the housetop to pray…he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

His vision was an impartation of knowledge. He began to comprehend a revelation that was released through Christ’s blood. While Peter pondered the vision, God imparted another word of knowledge to him through a voice. Acts 10:19-20 (NKJV) says, “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.’” Many believers operate within a word of knowledge without even realizing it. If this sounds familiar, it could mean that you have the gift of a word of knowledge waiting to be released, stretching out the tent of God’s kingdom.

Seven Ways to Receive Words of Knowledge

The word of knowledge is just one of the several spiritual gifts listed in the Bible. We looked at that earlier in 1 Corinthians 12. Our heavenly Father, through the power of Holy Spirit, can cause us to function in any of the gifts for His purposes. The word of knowledge can be operated in for several purposes, including but not limited to physical and emotional healing and discerning spiritual matters. The Lord desires to use every person who has given their life to Jesus Christ for kingdom purposes. The best way to begin to understand that you and I too can operate in these gifts is to learn how each gift operates. These gifts can manifest at any moment, as God chooses. Our job is simply to cooperate!

Unfortunately, the Bible doesn’t provide much instruction or information about operating in spiritual gifts. But if you look carefully, there are some hints. The prophets of old saw “pictures” or heard “sounds.” They picked up on the things of God in the realm of the imagination.

Does God still speak through the senses? I believe that He does. I have found that the Lord sometimes enlightens the deep recesses of our minds. I would like to point out some of the different ways that people receive words of knowledge today.

1. See It

One way to receive a word of knowledge is by seeing an image or picture. God will point something out that needs to be acted upon whether He allows us to see it physically with our own eyes, or it could be seen in our mind’s eye through a vision.

2. Smell It

We have had several people in our congregation who have been allowed by the Lord to smell certain things during worship, prayer time, or during baptisms at the North Georgia Revival. One gentleman got into the water, and when I asked what he was in the water for he confessed a lifestyle of homosexuality. Once he was prayed for and immersed, this intense, putrid smell came rising up off of him. My senior pastor, Todd Smith, and the guest evangelist speaking that evening, Pat Schatzline, both have said they actually smelled the spirit of homosexuality leaving his body. Sin is saturated with a stench.

3. Think It

Another pathway to receive words of knowledge is through our thought life. Suddenly you just sense that you know something that you were previously not aware of. You receive understanding from heaven. You may receive a word of knowledge by seeing letters or a word, or maybe the Lord shows you someone’s face in your mind’s eye. These all give you a point of engagement with the word of knowledge.

4. Say It

Sometimes while exhorting, testifying to, or praying for an individual, Holy Spirit-inspired words will begin to flow out. These are spontaneous utterances that the speaker may have not even realized were being said.

5. Read It

Another way that you may receive a word of knowledge is by seeing letters or a word in your mind’s eye. This phrase gives you a point of engagement.

6. Feel It

Sometimes unusual physical sensations or bodily impressions reveal important things. God is not afraid to speak through the natural realm.

7. Dream It

While at rest at night, God can also communicate with you. Nocturnal visions can be invigorated with insights from God.

Words of knowledge can be challenging. Nevertheless, I would encourage you to be open to hearing from God in visceral ways. This can stir the heart and open the door to incredible things.