The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

The Ephesians did not have the spirit of wisdom and revelation, which is why Paul did not cease to make mention of them in his pray­ers. Ephesians 1:15-17.

They had faith and love for all the saints. These were precious things, of course, but it was simply not enough. They needed to have the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they would not become an easy prey of Satan’s wily attacks.

Our relationships with each other give rise to many and various difficulties that cannot be solved without wisdom. The temple of God, which is the habitation of the Spirit, is now being built for all eternity. It is made up of people who were taken out from among those who are nothing, in order to be worked on in the church, according to the laws of wisdom. It is God’s will that this great work shall be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10.

We can love one another and rejoice greatly in the Lord—in which is great strength—but joy needs to be united with wisdom, so that the church can be the house of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15.

There was no lack of joy when Saul was anointed and made king. Then all the people rejoiced. 1 Samuel 10:24. This joy should have been a source of power for godliness, but it did not turn out that way. It ebbed away, and “the natural man” began to rule. This is how groups of believers have come together throughout the centuries, but then their “unity” disintegrated because of a lack of the spirit of wis­dom and revelation.

We cannot be satisfied with having only faith, joy, and a good conscience. We must continue to fight the good fight of faith and take the kingdom of God by force. There is no stagnation in the kingdom of God. Jesus compared it to a seed which is in a state of continual development and growth. Matthew 13:31-32.

Jesus increased in wisdom. Luke 2:52 and Isaiah 11:2. There is no other way for us to increase either. Wisdom is only gained through the fear of God. Deuteronomy 33:8-9. Our joy can increase, and we can develop our gifts, but we can only grow spiritually by wisdom and the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10. We can all attain to maturity in godliness, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13-14.

We can overcome the passions of the flesh by being crucified with Christ; but we need to be mature and have the spirit of wisdom and revelation and enlightened eyes of the heart, so we are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14; 1:18.

It was bro. J. O. Smith’s wish that the word of God that was spo­ken might awaken a desire to receive the spirit of wisdom and reve­lation in some of the listeners. This continues to be an active and fer­vent wish in the church.