Seeing Clearly in a Confusing World
The Spirit gives insight that leads to wise action.
In the fall of 2020 I received a prophetic vision after arriving in Milwaukee, WI. Later, I realized that I was to write a book called The Unknowns Rising. The message was clear and urgent, yet the path from vision to finished book felt anything but straightforward. Doubts pressed in hard. Was this really from God? Was I the right person? How would the pieces come together?
The Spirit’s gifts of wisdom and discernment became my lifeline through every stage. They guided the decision to begin, the timing of release, the choices in publishing, and now the Q2 2026 podcast tour campaign to share the message. That same Spirit who closed some doors and opened others is the One who continues to direct the work today at unknownsrising.com.
Understanding the Source
The gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 include graces specifically designed to bring light into complexity. Paul writes to the church,
“For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:8 NASB).
A few verses later he adds “to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10 NASB). These are not mystical add-ons for the super-spiritual. They are essential equipment for every believer who desires to walk in step with God in a world full of competing voices.
Paul’s Story: When the Spirit Closes and Opens Doors
The book of Acts gives us a vivid picture of this gift in operation. In chapter 16, Paul and his team traveled through Phrygia and Galatia. They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they tried to enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. Then, at Troas, Paul received a vision in the night of a man from Macedonia pleading, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Immediately they concluded that God was calling them to preach the gospel there. The doors that closed in Asia led to an open door in Europe. Churches were planted, lives were transformed, and the gospel advanced in ways that still bear fruit today.
This is discernment and wisdom working together. The Spirit gave both restraint and direction. Paul did not push through closed doors or ignore the vision. He listened, adjusted, and acted.
My Story: The Unknowns Rising
I lived a similar pattern when the vision for The Unknowns Rising first came. The call was clear, but the execution required ongoing sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading. There were seasons when doors closed unexpectedly and other seasons when a quiet word of wisdom or knowledge cut through the fog and showed the next faithful step. Pressing through the doubts was never about pushing harder in my own strength. It was about listening, discerning, and obeying. The same grace that carried Paul forward carried me through writing, publishing, and now the podcast tour.
Discerning Spirits in Our Day
One aspect of this gift is the ability to distinguish between spirits. Not every spiritual impression or teaching comes from the Holy Spirit. Some arise from our own thoughts and emotions. Others come from cultural or even deceptive sources that can appear attractive or powerful. Discernment helps us test what we encounter against the truth of Scripture and the character of Jesus. It guards our hearts and the hearts of those we influence.
Many believers today, especially those hungry for the supernatural, encounter a mix of genuine hunger and distorted expressions through media, online spaces, or spiritual practices detached from Christ. The Spirit’s gift of discernment is a safeguard. It allows us to embrace what is true while rejecting what leads to confusion or bondage.
Wisdom and Knowledge for the Decisions We Face
The word of wisdom often surfaces as strategic insight, a sense of how to approach a situation or the right timing for action. The word of knowledge may bring specific understanding that clarifies a problem or reveals a path forward. These gifts operate in ordinary moments as well as extraordinary ones. A difficult conversation at work, a choice about a relationship, a parenting decision, or a step of faith in ministry can all be shaped by the Spirit’s insight.
The same was true for me when I faced the decision to write The Unknowns Rising and later when I planned the podcast tour. I did not have to figure everything out on my own. I was invited to ask, to listen, and to trust that the Spirit who directed Paul is present to direct us.
Today’s Activation
Before you face any decision today, pause.
Invite the Holy Spirit to highlight what is true.
Ask for the word of wisdom to see the larger picture and the word of knowledge to understand what you need to know. Be still long enough to sense the peace or the gentle nudge that comes from Him.
Then move forward in faith, knowing that clarity often grows as we take the next obedient step.
We are learning together what it means to rely on the Spirit’s guidance in real time. These gifts are not distant concepts. They are part of the inheritance we have received in Christ.
On Friday we step into a topic that many find both fascinating and deeply personal, one that often raises questions especially among younger believers seeking a more intimate walk with God. We will explore the gift that allows the Spirit to pray through us when our own words fall short, opening a pathway to communion that goes beyond what we can understand with our minds. It is a gift that has brought comfort, power, and connection to countless hearts across generations, and we will approach it with biblical depth and practical encouragement.
The same Spirit who grants discernment and wisdom is the Spirit who invites us into deeper places of prayer and presence. May you see with clarity and walk with wisdom today.
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