The spiritual gifts of knowledge and teaching

Those gifted with teaching can explain God's word and truth with unusual effectiveness.

Jesus exemplified this in the Sermon on the Mount. He honored the Old Testament but explained its message with clarity. It was understandable and applicable to his audience—and still to us today.

For teachers, be careful not to become like the Pharisees. Their teachings were overly confusing and lifted themselves up. They prized legalism over truth, status over understanding. As a teacher, pray that you also rely on the Spirit’s guidance, not just on commentaries (which are important). Teachers will be judged with even more strictness.

For others, engage with teaching. Consider talking to teachers about their material in conversation. They will probably enjoy it. Reflect on biblical teaching and pray for ways you can apply teachings you’ve heard or read. Not only pay attention, but lean on the Spirit to act it out.

Read about Jesus showing this principle in Matthew 7:28–29 and in the Sermon on the Mount in Mathew 5–7.

The Spirit’s gifting of knowledge means understanding and sharing the deep truths of God's word and will.

Others will look to people of knowledge for understanding, wrestling, and engaging in complex truths. Although knowledge is a personal gift, remember that God will use it to bless his people.

Remember that the Lord gifted you with knowledge for others, not just for your own pleasure and interest. How can you spread that knowledge to others? Can you help write the curriculum for Bible studies? Will you help others wrestle with skepticism?

Pray that the Lord will guide your pursuits and that you will see opportunities arise to share uplifting ideas. Be wary of pride and arrogance. Follow Christ’s perfect example of humility. Don’t allow yourself to idolatrize knowledge; it will always be limited.

For others, find inspiration from those with the gift of knowledge who are passionate about the Bible. Allow yourself to be challenged by their knowledge. Judge them lightly; what appears to be arrogance may just be a passion for truth (Hosea 4:6).

Daniel has the gift of knowledge and shows it by advising kings in Daniel 5:13–31.