Jesus saith unto here, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. (17) The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said I have no husband: (18) For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. ~ John 4:16-18 KJV

How did Jesus know all this information about the woman at the well? Did he hear gossip about her? No, this information was actually revealed to him. This passage is a perfect example of a Word of Knowledge in operation. Jesus was able to have a background knowledge about this woman at the well without ever having met her before. The gift of the Holy Spirit is one that can reveal something about a person to let them know that it is God revealing this information. Remember that Jesus did not perform any miracle or heal anyone until he received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and this occurred simultaneously after he was water baptized.

There are five reasons why the Holy Spirit would use a Word of Knowledge to work through another person:

1. He will warn people
2. He will inform a person
3. He will work to expose or reveal hidden things
4. He will work to confirm things
5. He will reveal God’s power in knowing secrets

A new testament example can be found when Peter knew the deception that Ananias and Sapphira did.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, (2) And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (3) But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ~ Acts 5:1-3 KJV

In this instance, the Holy Spirit gave a Word of Knowledge to Peter regarding the sale of the property Ananias and Sapphira made. No one knew it but the Lord and the couple. This was a secret that was exposed. Why they dropped dead is a Jesus question. It is not clear why this happened. This is the only instance in the bible this incident occurred. We could come up with a few probabilities but then again that would only be a guess. So let’s make sure to always be honest and don’t lie to a man or woman of God under the unction of the Holy Spirit.