The Gift of Prophecy
Those who have the gift of prophecy are those who make known the mind, will and intention of God. The gift of prophecy must always reveal God’s will and God’s heartbeat. The gift of prophecy may include making known God’s opinion, instruction or encouragement in written or verbal form. It can also include declaring those things that God sees taking place in the future.
According to Strongs, the definition of the word prophesy as used in 1 Corinthians 14 is: “To prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, or to predict.” It means “to foretell future events especially pertaining to the kingdom of God, and to declare and thing which can only be known by divine revelation.”1
As with any spiritual gift, there are different expressions and levels of operation within the gift of prophecy.
There is a belief about spiritual gifts – especially the gift of prophecy – that we just get whatever gifts God gives to us. So, can we all receive the gift of prophecy, or is it just for a select few? You might think that you have no say in the gifts that you have; rather you simply receive the gifts that God gives to you. But that is a belief that is restrictive, not releasing.
God’s Word teaches us about the gifts of the Spirit. It says in 1 Corinthians 12:11, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” But now let’s have a look at another scripture that is so releasing. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
So how do we reconcile these two scriptures?
The importance of Love
It is essential to have love when we are using or desiring the gifts of the Spirit. But why is this so important? Because according to 1 John 4:8 & 1 John 4:16, God Himself is love. Paul is instructing us to follow God Himself (He is love) and to follow the way that Jesus sacrificially loved people.
This is so important to God, that He would say to us all, “If you can’t reflect My heart, please don’t use My gifts.” But does God really take it this seriously? The following verse answers this question with undeniable clarity:
1 Corinthians 13:2 says, If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Without a motivation of love, spiritual gifts cause more damage than they do good. But with the right motivation of love, hope and life is released to people through the gifts of God that reflect the heart of God.
Prophecy and Heart Motivation
The gifts of God and the heart of God must not be separated. Many people excel in the gifts of God, yet some don’t accurately reflect the heart of God.
1 Corinthians 12 is all about ‘one body and many members’. This chapter focuses on the incredible gifts of God. Then we have 1 Corinthians 13 which is the famous chapter on love. As we head into the next chapter on spiritual gifts and spiritual language (1 Corinthians 14), there is the all-important opening verse, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
Paul is making it clear that love must always be the motivation for using spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophecy. If your heart’s desire is to strengthen, encourage and comfort people you can follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy.
So, ask Father for the gift of prophecy. And ask God to hear His voice clearly. These are prayers Father loves to answer because He loves to do people good!
Do you want to develop your gift of prophecy? Perhaps you’re not sure where to begin? ‘Growing in The Prophetic’ will give you practical and in-depth training on the role of prophecy, prophetic leadership, how to hear the voice of God, discerning prophetic insights, and operating in your prophetic gift.
This biblical prophetic training course will deepen your foundations and take you to the next level in your gift and ministry of prophecy. Whether you are new to the gift of prophecy or aspiring to the prophetic office, this course will be inspiring and empowering for you.
1. Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: King James Version. 1995. Updated ed. La Habra: Lockman Foundation.
