The Gift of Prophecy

Text: 1 Cor. 12:10
More Lessons: 1 Cor. 14:3-5
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 34-36

Prophecy is inspired utterance in a known language. It is not conceived by human reasoning or thought. As with the other gifts of the Spirit, genuine gift of prophecy will point to Jesus as Lord. The manifestation of prophecy is not to elevate or magnify man or to show that a man is powerful and gifted or even to prove that a man is a genuine man of God. The gift of prophecy is not to prove anything; it is to glorify Jesus. Any prophecy that is always creating division in the Body of Christ is wrong, ...he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to EDIFICATION, and EXHORTATION, and COMFORT: 1 Cor. 14:3. A true prophecy will edify, exhort, and comfort people, helping them to be better Christians. Some people who supposedly speak by prophetic utterance never speak comfort to the Church. They never edify or build up the Church—they give only denunciations and terrify people with predictions of doom. That is not the gift of prophecy in operation.

Believers are to be guided by the Word of God. Prophecy is to edify, exhort and comfort (1 Cor. 14: 3). Notice that prediction and guidance are not even mentioned here. Even though prophecy might tell things of the future, the primary purpose of prophecy is not prediction but edification. There is a vast difference between the gift of prophecy and the prying into the future by fortune-tellers, whether ‘in the world’ or on the pulpit. Some predict which football team is going to beat the other one or which number will win in a pool all in the name of prophecy. But God is not in the business of doing that because I don't see how that edifies the church or bring men to Jesus. The Spirit of God can tell us things if He wishes but a man that has an opinion on every issue in the name of prophecy has gone astray.

The simple gift of prophecy must not be confused with the office of a prophet. It is not everyone who prophesies that is a prophet. The Bible says to desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy; And for ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted: 1 Cor. 14:1; 31. So we know that everyone and anyone can be used by the Holy Spirit in the gift of prophecy but that doesn't mean to go and open a church and put the title 'Prophet' before his name.

The office of the prophet is strictly a calling into ministry. Ephesians 4:11 says, He gave SOME Apostles, SOME prophets . . .. I pray that God will endow you with His gift of genuine prophecy and also give you wisdom and maturity so that you are not to be carried away by fake manifestations.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to cleanse His Church of all false prophets.
* Pray that your heavens will remain open for revelations, comfort and strength.
* Pray that you will not miss your way into the hand of any fortune teller in a prophet’s cloak.

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