Harnessing Prophecy
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy…but the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. – 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3
These verses of Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian church, are so fascinating. Having given time specifically to the overwhelming significance and necessity of love in chapter 13, his very next challenge to his readers in chapter 14 is to actively desire and pursue the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And Paul takes it a step further in expressing that we are to especially desire and pursue the gift of prophecy. Why does he highlight and emphasize prophecy?
For many today who grew up in more traditional church denominations, the crazy, unusual gifts – like prophecy, words of knowledge, tongues and the interpretation of tongues, healing, miracles, distinguishing between spirits – are relics of the past that were only for the New Testament church. Many Bible teachers today will say that these gifts are no longer needed because we have the Bible.
At Beltway Park, we could not disagree more. As a church, we believe that all the gifts spoken of and seen in action in the New Testament are active and available to followers of Jesus today. And there has never been a more needed time for all the gifts than now, especially prophecy.
Prophecy is being prompted by God to speak the right word at the right time in the right way. When a believer in Jesus gives a prophetic word to another person, they have received a download from our Heavenly Father for another person that is timely and needed and that strengthens, encourages, and comforts. They are communicating God’s heart and specific message to that person. God uses prophecy to speak through His sons and daughters to those willing to listen. In this sense, a prophetic word is usually not about predicting the future (though sometimes there are elements of this in the word).
We all need a prophetic word, and on some level, we are all able to give a prophetic word. While some people have an elevated gifting or anointing in prophecy (meaning they operate in this gift at a heightened level), every person can hear from God and give a right word at a right time in a right way to another person. Every person can be prophetic on a basic level, just like every person can teach or instruct on a basic level (while some have a heightened gifting or anointing in public speaking, teaching, and communication).
If you take Paul at his word, do you dare to ask God for a prophetic word for someone you know? Do you risk desiring and pursuing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially prophecy?
Today’s Prayer: Lord, will you give me the right word at the right time to be given in the right way to someone I know? Will you help me strengthen, encourage, and comfort someone today through a prophetic word? I’m listening.
Today’s Challenge: Ask God to give you a prophetic word for someone you know, and ask Him to show you when and how you are to give it.
