Patti Brunner shares the use of the wonderful charism of Expression of Wisdom as she prayed for a young boy who is healed from life-threatening bone cancer. Truth of the Spirit explains this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit in “Word of Wisdom Charism of the Holy Spirit”. For audio player, video link, and for the script please continue reading.
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Link to TOS145 Life Changing Choices & the Supernatural Wisdom of God:
https://www.PatriarchMinistries.com/145
Script of Episode 203 Word of Wisdom Charism of the Holy Spirit
The Lord told me earlier today about the gifts of Word of Wisdom and Prophecy. He said, “My Child, you are aware of these gifts; you apply them all the time. My children would benefit as you share the daily use and also the ministry use.” The ministry use of the “Expression of Wisdom” comes forth as we pray for others. Word of Wisdom or Discourse of Wisdom is identified as a charism by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is a supernatural insight given to the members of the Body of Christ which reveals God’s timing and method of ministry in a given situation. It explains or illuminates a given revelation such as a Word of Knowledge, Discernment of Spirits or the communication of revealed Prophecy. This is not the same as wisdom we gain from our experiences in life or intellectual pursuits. It is not to be confused with the Baptismal gift of the virtue of wisdom. But a ‘Word of Wisdom’ is a supernatural revelation of God’s timing and method of ministry in a given situation.
Welcome to Truth of the Spirit and Word of Wisdom Charism of the Holy Spirit. I am your host, Patti Brunner. Today we will talking about discerning and recognizing this gift of grace from God. St. Paul wrote in his letter I Corinthians 12: 8-10, “To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; 10 to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues.” [NAB]
The Lord taught me this: “When the Holy Spirit gives Words of Knowledge and Words of Wisdom it is to share truth with individuals or groups. … Words of Wisdom work closely with Words of Knowledge because they provide the ongoing discernment of revealing and praying the truth. These do not reveal past issues but rather are in the ‘now’ and coming events. Discernment of calling by the Lord to follow the Way to benefit others and the Church are often brought forth. We are one body in Christ. When one member suffers we all suffer. And also, when one member is lifted up and set on a course of healing, ministry or developing a closer relationship with the Lord the whole body is benefited and lifted up. This glorifies God and strengthens the Church. … Each soul is of utmost importance in the kingdom of God.”
God is Love. God is Wisdom. As God allows his presence to manifest within us we label that “grace”. The Church helps us to recognize different types and different levels of grace. Catechism of the Catholic Church #733 tells us, ““God is Love” and love is his first gift, containing all others.” Quoting Romans 5:5 it explains, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Catechism of the Catholic Church #1988 continues this teaching as it says, “Through the power of the Holy Spirit we take part in Christ’s Passion by dying to sin, and in his Resurrection by being born to a new life; we are members of his Body which is the Church, branches grafted onto the vine which is himself: [God] gave himself to us through his Spirit. By the participation of the Spirit, we become communicants in the divine nature.” That is an incredible fact isn’t it!
Last Saturday night at my parish I heard Catholic Evangelist Evan Lemoine discussing Theology of the Body from Saint Pope John Paul II as he explained that for God to reveal himself to us God created a “body”. Through people we learn about God’s attributes especially love. By the way, as I was prompted, inspired, to share this from Evan, I loaded my personal email to search the spelling of his name; instead my podcast email loaded and there was an urgent prayer request that was posted only 3 minutes earlier. I had not checked that inbox since last month! God’s prompting to act a certain way—to use Evan as a reference—was a revelation of God’s Wisdom. We use our free will to act on that grace, then the Lord allowed the prayer need to be known and God gave more grace as I prayed for healing for the petitioner. As I prayed in Tongues for the petitioner the Lord suggested to me by Expression of Wisdom how to specifically pray. It went beyond what was requested—to pray for more than was requested. (Later that day this need, this extra need, was affirmed by an MRI by the petitioner.) I then answered a second email that had a different prayer need and the Lord reminded me of advice a mentor spoke years ago that was perfect for this person, too. God reveals his attribute of Wisdom to us directly and through others.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph #798 teaches, “The Holy Spirit is ‘the principle of every vital and truly saving action in each part of the Body.’ He works in many ways to build up the Body in charity” including “by the many special graces (called ‘charisms’), by which he makes the faithful ‘fit and ready to undertake various tasks and offices for the renewal and building up of the Church.’ [252]”
The next paragraph, #799, says, “Whether extraordinary or simple and humble, charisms are graces of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefit the Church, ordered as they are to her building up, to the good of men, and to the needs of the world.”
If you have never heard of charisms or the charismatic Expression of Wisdom, let me be the first to tell you about it! The Holy Spirit is pouring out these graces whether you can identify them or not. Without understanding of these graces you might try to reject them, or even call them weird. Without understanding of their usefulness, a refusal of acceptance goes against or rejects God’s generosity.
The greatest of God’s gifts is Love. When we pray for people, it is with love in our heart.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph #800 makes it pretty clear: “Charisms are to be accepted with gratitude by the person who receives them and by all members of the Church as well. They are a wonderfully rich grace for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ, provided they really are genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit and are used in full conformity with authentic promptings of this same Spirit, that is, in keeping with charity, the true measure of all charisms. [253]”
This is where what you don’t know can hurt you. The enemy tries to imitate Words of Wisdom through occult methods such as horoscopes and Ouija Boards. These are not from God and can be a gateway to trouble like Adam and Eve followed in the Garden of Eden after listening to the deceitful wisdom of Satan.
What are we to do? Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph #801 explains,”It is in this sense that discernment of charisms is always necessary. No charism is exempt from being referred and submitted to the Church’s shepherds. ‘Their office, not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast to what is good,’ [254] so that all the diverse and complementary charisms work together ‘for the common good.’ [255].”
Through charisms we can immediately pray God’s perfect will for a situation. Often God also gives Words of Knowledge and Words of Wisdom to edify the person for whom we pray. Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph #951 teaches about the “Communion of charisms.” It says, “Within the communion of the Church, the Holy Spirit ‘distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank’ for the building up of the Church. [482] now, ‘to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.’ 483”
If each person of the Church is given the manifestation of the Spirit, do we need to camp out on our Bishop’s doorstep to allow him to discern them? Remember the key phrases of discernment: “The common good!” “in keeping with charity, with love, the true measure of all charisms!” The shepherds of our Church have given us scripture and catechesis, especially the Catechism, to hold up as a litmus test for charisms. Is it divisive? Does it cause anxiety? Does it lead to sin? Probably not authentic! Does it lead you to peace, into a deeper relationship with God? Does it line up with Church teaching? Sounds like it may be ok. Like all private and personal revelation the Words of Wisdom need discernment. When in doubt, check it out!
When I am asked to meet with someone for healing, I always ask for the Lord’s help and protection. The Lord often gives me Words of Knowledge and Words of Wisdom to use for efficacious prayer. In a previous episode I spoke about Words of Knowledge. Those are God’s inspiration about things that have already happened. Let me give you a good example of the Lord providing charisms to build up the Church. Quite some time ago, I was asked by a friend to meet and pray with a young Catholic boy battling with a recurring cancer in his leg. I’ll call him Mickey. I immediately started praying. The next day I recorded this in my journal. “I prayed for him [for Mickey] in my heart during the evening. I felt your anointing through my leg and it seemed to be for him. I accept your healing for him, Lord. My friend is going to try to arrange a family prayer time on Friday evening. Lord, I know that your will is for health and wholeness. I know you want only good for us. But I do not know your specific will for Mickey and his family. Teach me, Lord, how to pray with them. We choose complete healing Lord. Is that your Will? Show me how to abide fully within You in this matter. Give me your words of love to speak. In your mercy, give us grace, your grace to overcome all infirmity in your love, grant this family a fullness of your Presence and healing love.”
I then recorded the Lord’s response to me: “My child, bind those negative things you hear. The naysayers try to rob my power. My child, completely surround yourself in my grace and stay within my protection. I will anoint you to carry my blessings to the people but you must stay within Me. Do not let the others brag on your intercessory prowess – teach them it is the glory and grace of the Lord. Remind them who to give honor and praise. When hope arises so does doubt. Bind the doubt in the hearts of man. Teach how to trust, as my Son Jesus taught over and over. Teach them the goodness of God and the desire to abide in Him (in Jesus). I will send gifts from my Spirit to give you as you need them.” I then asked the Lord, “Will you send Wisdom?” The Lord responded, “As you request. Remember to pause and listen. I love my children and I beckon them to my side.” I asked, “Lord, teach me to pray for Mickey.” The Lord then said, “Listen to my Spirit. You will be guided. Prepare yourself not with “knowledge” but with Truth. Accept it. Breathe it. Dwell within it. You have chosen a path that will lead you past much darkness. Keep your eye on the Light of Jesus and He will be your saving beacon in the sea of darkness. Listen and learn. Listen and be fed. Do as I have commanded. Whatever you need to know will be provided.”
The meeting had been delayed and so it gave me more time to soak the issue in prayer. The Lord gave me these Words of Wisdom: “My child, comfort those who stand in darkness. Bitterness against me must be let go of. Scrape away each sore of past bitterness. Repent the unawareness of God’s love and mercy. Blame and revenge are not of the Lord. Only in the final judgment will total awareness of causes be clear. Forgive the ones you blame. Increase the blood flow, My Blood, to heal these and all wounds.” Then I asked, “And the root, Lord? How do we chop the root of this illness?” The Lord replied, “My child, you must show discretion I will not expose the sins of my children to others. Listen carefully, then choose your own words of repentance. Call upon blessings to replace curses.” I recorded in my journal this prayer, “Lord, I forgive them. I ask for the effect of these sins to be broken by Mickey’s Baptism and completely restore him as your child. I rebuke the evil one’s hold on his life. I accept Mickey and his family as part of my own as we are part of Your Body, Lord. Forgive us all, O Lord. Welcome us into the banquet of your Love, and restore to us our bodies in perfect health. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ!”
As we gathered to pray the Lord told me to include his extended family in the prayer. After we gathered, the Lord let me know that there was a generational emotional issue; this is an example of Word of Knowledge of the past. As we prayed the Lord inspired me with specific wording for my prayer for healing as the entire family gathered around the young boy to pray. It was totally new for them to pray this way. This is an example of Word of Wisdom on the best way to pray.
Romans 12: 2 says, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
A few days after we gathered for prayer for Mickey, I recorded this thanksgiving in my journal: “Lord, I thank you for the healing prayer session Friday evening with Mickey and his family. I especially felt your anointing at the mention of the soaking prayers up to that moment and I ‘saw’ the cancer be lifted off his bone. I thank you, Lord, that every particle will dissipate and not attach anywhere else and he will be completely restored. I trust in your goodness in this matter and I know his next report from the Doctor will show remarkable improvement. Thank you, Lord, for pulling this family together in hope and prayer.” I didn’t ever see the family again but four years later my friend told me that Mickey remained cancer free. All other youth in his test group of this particular recurring cancer had died. Several years later, he was still in complete remission. The Lord, in His great mercy, heard our prayers for healing. And the Lord bestowed on us the various gifts of the most Holy Spirit to guide and help us.
1 John 4:16 says,“We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.”
Over the years the Lord has continued to bestow His gift of Expression of Wisdom as I have prayed for others. At times He has inspired me to bind negative words that have been or will be spoken about a situation, to break the power of a diagnosis by a professional that is blocking the faith of the person, to bind mute a deceitful spirit. The Lord has inspired me to speak certain encouraging words that remind the person of his love. The Lord has directed me to ask an intercessor to envision taking the person into the presence of God. The Lord has directed me to place my hand on a part of the body that needs healing. The Lord has directed me to support a person’s body that is about to go limp under the power of the Spirit. The Lord has directed me to ask the person to do something that hurt a lot before but now will not as they step forward in faith. There is no end of ways the Lord sends forth the Expressions of His Divine Wisdom to rescue us and share his love with us.
1 John 4:13 says, “This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.”
A ‘Word of Wisdom’ is a supernatural revelation of God’s timing and method of ministry in a given situation. As we remain open to this gift of the Holy Spirit we can implement God’s will through our faith and our freewill to listen and act upon the inspiration. Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph #768 reminds us, “So that she can fulfill her mission, the Holy Spirit ‘bestows upon [the Church] varied hierarchic and charismatic gifts, and this way directs her’. Henceforward the Church, endowed with the gifts of her founder and faithfully observing his precepts of charity, humility and self-denial, receives the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God, and she is on earth the seed and the beginning of that kingdom.”
We can identify various charisms in the ministry of Jesus; he shows us the way the Holy Spirit works in us and through us. Jesus shared the Word of Wisdom that Lazarus was not dead, even though he had been obviously dead for three days. Through Expression of Wisdom, Jesus knew that the power had gone out to heal the woman with the hemorrhage and he turned to her and spoke to her about the healing. Jesus used the gift of healing by laying on of hands and also by proclaiming healing from a distance; sometimes asking his Father to heal and sometimes he commanded the healing. We can also identify other charisms in Jesus’ ministry. He used words of knowledge in evangelizing the woman at the well towards inner healing, [John 4:17-27]; to know there was a coin in the fish to pay the taxes [Matthew 17:27], and to know about the synagogue official’s daughter [Mark 5:36-40]. Jesus used the gift of faith to rebuke and quiet the storm and to walk on the water. Using the charism of miracles, of mighty deeds, Jesus healed the withered hand (Luke 6:6-10), created an eye for a man who was blind from birth, and multiplied the loaves and fishes. Jesus used the charism of prophecy to reveal the coming of his passion, death and resurrection and also to communicate with God. Using discernment of spirits he identified when demonic activity was causing infirmity and He cast out demons. Jesus groaned in the Spirit –the gift of Tongues—[Mark 7:34] before healing the deaf mute. He uttered mysteries to his Father as he set himself apart and prayed with the Spirit. By all this he taught us how to use these charisms.
The Holy Spirit gives us the graces or charisms to do the same thing Jesus did. You can see in the Acts of the Apostles [Acts 5:1-9, Acts 3:1-10] and other New Testament books how the Church received the Holy Spirit and used the charisms to build it up. Jesus tells us that if we are believers we should be laying hands on the sick and have them recover.
[Mark 16:15-18] “He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Jesus instructs us through a revelation, a Word of Wisdom, that proclamation of the Gospel and use of charisms should be connected for believers. Are you a believer?
You’ve been listening to Truth of the Spirit and the Word of Wisdom Charism of the Holy Spirit. I am your host Patti Brunner. You can read the script of this episode at PatriarchMinistries.com/203. If you would like to know more about the attribute of the Wisdom of God we recommend episode 145 “Simple & Life Changing Choices & the Supernatural Wisdom of God.” Our channel also offers many episodes on the gifts and the charisms of the Holy Spirit. We invite you to subscribe, it’s free. We invite you to check out some of our previous podcasts and the playlists of the various series available on our YouTube channel and on our website PatriarchMinistries.com. And then, come back for more. With the Holy Spirit there is always more! Amen.
