We continue to examine the gifts God gives us to live our lives to the fullest. While Wisdom usually comes with age, it is also a Gift of the Spirit. With Wisdom comes the ability to make godly choices and to help others do the same. King Solomon is an example of this gift. During his reign, two mothers came to him for justice. Each held a child in their arms, but one child was dead. They stand before the king, arguing about to whom the living child belongs. And Solomon says: “Bring me a sword. Cut the living child in two and give half to one and a half to the other.” The real mother speaks up — “Give her the child so he will live!” And Scripture says, “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given…they saw that he had wisdom from God…”. We will never have to make such a decision but be assured that any spiritual wisdom comes from the Spirit of God.

Discernment is yet another special Gift of the Spirit. Discernment helps us to trust our intuition and feelings about another person. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes: “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…”. This passage is a strong reminder to help us recognize good from evil.

Continue to study His Word, consider His gifts, and he promises that He will be with you…every step of the way.

About the author: Previously the priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid for 21 years, Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is now the Priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.