"Word of Knowledge"

[JP1283]

In the Bible, it says that when an unbeliever hears a word of knowledge or prophecy, the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. I've dealt with a man in my past who claimed to have a 'word of knowledge' about me (God supposedly showed him things about me that apparently were embarrassing and he didn't want to tell me them in front of his family.) This bothers me a lot, and I was wondering, what do you guys think a word of knowledge is? Cold reading? Have any of you dealt with something like this?

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

Well, for Peter Popoff, the "Word Of Knowledge" was (and apparently still is) a radio transmitter stuck in his ear while his wife on the other end reads "prayer cards" with the sucker's information on it.

As for your acquaintance, I say call his bluff.

 

[l0rca]

In the Bible, it says that when an unbeliever hears a word of knowledge or prophecy, the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. I've dealt with a man in my past who claimed to have a 'word of knowledge' about me (God supposedly showed him things about me that apparently were embarrassing and he didn't want to tell me them in front of his family.) This bothers me a lot, and I was wondering, what do you guys think a word of knowledge is? Cold reading? Have any of you dealt with something like this?

Some people actually do hear the word of God. I don't know how it works because it hasn't happened to me, but I pray to hear it.

If he has something God has passed to him, it's important for you hear it. It could change your life, but maybe he needs some double-guidance from you in order for you to recieve it? Or maybe God has told him that you have to do something be worthy of it first?

Whatever it is, I'm excitied for you, and I hope things work out well, and the path of light opens.

 

[drkitten]

Some people actually do hear the word of God.

Yup, I believe Kent did in Real Genius.

Of course, a) that was fictitoius, and b) it was actually a radio receiver that had been installed in his braces as a prank by some of his college buddies....

 

[ntech]

I've dealt with a man in my past who claimed to have a 'word of knowledge' about me. God supposedly showed him things about me that apparently were embarrassing and he didn't want to tell me them in front of his family.

JP, think about it. Do you really believe that he heard the word of god? I would hope not. If you don't then you realize that your acquaintance has a serious mental issue and it would worry me to even be around him. If you believe him to be harmless then it is at very least insulting. I would tell him he needs help.

 

[Skeptic Guy]

In the Bible, it says that when an unbeliever hears a word of knowledge or prophecy, the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. I've dealt with a man in my past who claimed to have a 'word of knowledge' about me (God supposedly showed him things about me that apparently were embarrassing and he didn't want to tell me them in front of his family.) This bothers me a lot, and I was wondering, what do you guys think a word of knowledge is? Cold reading? Have any of you dealt with something like this?

Sounds like a crock and I certainly wouldn't let him get you alone to tell you what he knows so as not to embarrass you in front of your family. He sounds just a wee-bit creepy to me.

 

[Brown]

If the "word of knowledge" pertains to health, then the path to take is an easy one.

Say, "I should make an appointment with a specialist immediately, shouldn't I? Tell you what: if the specialist confirms your word of knowledge, I'll pay his bill, but if he doesn't, you'll pay the bill. Agreed?" (Be sure to use the word "specialist," which sounds much more expensive than "doctor.")

Then make him squirm. If he balks at the idea of putting up his own cash to back up his claim, then say "Oh, so what you said was just bullsh**, eh?"

It is typical of pseudoscientific seers, whether religious or not, that they want to stick their noses into the business of others, and they absolutely do not want to accept any responsibility for being wrong.

 

[Soapy Sam]

In the Bible, it says that when an unbeliever hears a word of knowledge or prophecy, the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.

Have you a citation for this?

My opinion is that this person is a con merchant. If he has anything to say , let him say it, not hint.

If he has only generalities of personality description to offer , he is a fraud, but possibly self deluded. If he has specific instances of behaviour, dates and times and hard data, then he is either a crook, a detective , a stalker , or he hears voices from god.

In any of these cases, I advise you to avoid him and if necessary report him to the police. At the least, if you choose to hear him out, RECORD his spiel, so you can analyse it in detail afterwards, for inconsistencies, error and accuracy.

 

[drkitten]

Have you a citation for this?

As a quotation, it appears in no major translation of the Bible.

As a concept, the idea of a "word of knowledge" appears in 1 Corinthians, chapter 12.

The idea of prophesy revealing "the secrets of [an unbeliever's] heart apepars in 1 Corinthians,
chapter 14, verses 21-25.

21 ¦ In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will
they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on
his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

(Quotation from the Authorized (King James) version. In the RSV, it's mostly the same:

21 ¦ In the law it is written, "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."
22 Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Thanks DR. Like many bible quotes, it makes little sense to me. My rewrite-

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, And asks for the prediction before the result, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, but he's right unless the prediction is spot on, which has not happened yet.