Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
In the journey of Christian faith, a profound distinction exists between intellectual understanding and spiritual insight. While human wisdom and academic knowledge have their place, believers must seek a deeper, more transformative form of understanding: revelation knowledge. Revelation knowledge is not merely information absorbed through study or deduction. It is divine insight imparted directly by God, often through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, or personal spiritual encounters. This supernatural understanding transcends human intellect, penetrating the heart and spirit of the believer.
As we navigate an increasingly complex world, the need for this divine insight becomes ever more crucial. It serves as a compass in times of confusion, a source of strength in moments of weakness, and a beacon of truth in an era of relativism. But why exactly is revelation knowledge so vital to the Christian walk? What makes it indispensable in a believer’s life? This article delves into the essence of revelation knowledge, its biblical foundation, and the transformative power it holds for those who seek it. Be blessed as you read!
Revelation knowledge is not natural knowledge or acquired knowledge. It’s not the knowledge you get from academic learning or from studying academically or reading books. Revelation knowledge differs from academic knowledge, which is learned in school through tests and requires forced memorization. Gaining knowledge is essential for everyone. For instance, many of us need to learn how to drive a car and perform various tasks. Acquired knowledge doesn’t come by revelation; it’s not spontaneous and is not something that is simply given to you. Instead, you must sit down to learn from another person or from a book. Some parts of our lives are like that, but there are things that you can receive directly from God that do not come through another person.
So how do we get revelation knowledge? God can supernaturally impart knowledge to you, and that’s referred to as revelation knowledge or fresh revelation. It’s an act of revealing or communicating divine truth. It’s something that is revealed by God to us. Revelation knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit and that’s in agreement with the word of God. As you meditate and pray over the word, the Holy Spirit will bring revelation to you. This is the knowledge that comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, revelation knowledge is the knowledge that you only get by the Holy Spirit that cannot be obtained otherwise. Revelation knowledge is higher knowledge. It’s knowledge higher than natural or academic knowledge, and it comes by the Holy Spirit. This is what you need above all other knowledge. To get revelation knowledge is to hear God’s voice.
Why do we need revelation knowledge? What we truly need is to hear God’s voice and receive fresh revelation. Hearing God’s voice is essentially gaining revelation knowledge. If we could truly hear God’s voice, many of the problems we face could be avoided, and this applies to all of us. If we could genuinely hear God’s voice, we would be able to avoid the majority of the issues we are currently experiencing. God has got a perfect plan for every single person. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10)
" All revelation knowledge must be based on and conform to the word of God. "
Therefore, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). There is nothing you are facing that the Lord does not have an answer for. However, you must be able to hear His voice, receive direction, and learn to obey. “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). Hearing God’s voice is just absolutely essential, and this shouldn’t be unusual. This ought to be the normal experience for every one of us. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:4-5).
All revelation knowledge must be based on and conform to the word of God. If you receive revelation knowledge but it contradicts the word, it did not come from the Spirit of Truth; it came from the spirit of error. There’s a Spirit of Truth and there’s a spirit of error. 1 John 4:6 says, “We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error”. John says, “those who hear us.” When he refers to “us,” he is talking about those who have written the word of God. Essentially, he is saying that those who listen to the word of God embody the spirit of truth, while those who do not listen are influenced by the spirit of error. It’s important to note that the word of God was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will never contradict the word.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). That word inspiration means it’s God breathed from the spirit of God. John 16:13 says this about the Holy Spirit: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come”. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth and he’s going to guide you into all truth, but what is truth? Jesus answered that in John 17:17. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by your truth your word is truth”. In 1 John 5:7, we’re going to see that the word of God and the Holy Spirit are in complete agreement, they’re never going to disagree. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one”.
These three are one in agreement. Some people may claim that they received a special revelation, saying they heard the Holy Spirit, saw a vision, or received some kind of message. However, if you check their claims against the scriptures and find that they don’t align with the Word – or worse, contradict it – then you can be certain that those revelations did not come from the Holy Spirit. Some people today claim that you don’t need the Word of God because you have God’s Spirit and a personal relationship with Him through that Spirit. However, without the Word of God, you wouldn’t even know that Jesus exists. The Word of God serves as a balance and a standard; it is essential for discerning what is true and what is not. How would you know if you’re hearing from God or from another source if you don’t have a standard by which truth can be judged? That standard is the word of God. Therefore, it is crucial to learn how to evaluate what you receive from God based on the Word.
