Willingness and Availability
Willingness and availability are basic factors we must have to operate this gift. With these attitudes, Francis stressed on the following:
Believers must have the strong desire to release and to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Believers must be sensitive to God’s movement and prompting. Believers must recognize when the Holy Spirit is speaking about a certain person or matter. Believers must understand the right timing in order to make known of specific information. Believers must pray and practice ministering these words of knowledge in an edifying manner.
Believers must be willing and prepared to accept teaching, correction, and even rebuke from those God placed authority over us, to oversee our ministry. Believers must take responsibility for the effects of the words of knowledge that they have delivered or spoken. Thus, they must make sure these promptings are from God.
According to Francis, knowledge is the answer to ignorance. Paul noted on the significance of being informed. It is the same premise for this gift. In order to test that the promptings are from God, we need to make sure the words of knowledge we are speaking are aligned with God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will not prompt you to speak lies or to cause people to sin. The Holy Spirit will move you to speak words that are against the Word of God. You can test this by studying and meditating on the Word of God, as well as by seeking God.
There are different ways that a person with this gift can develop it. We are responsible for our gifts. It is our responsibility to make it grow, with the intention to use it for God’s greater glory. One of the tips involves observing other people who flow in the gift of the words of knowledge. Be an objective observant and learn from their positive and negative points. Emulate the good, and try to improve the bad with your personal growth.
We also need to have the right attitude towards such a gift. Sometimes, our attitude is, God’s sovereignty will move us to use the gift while we do nothing. While it is true that we are nothing with God’s power and without his grace, God does not overpower us and force us to move beyond our will.