The Purpose of Prophecy
In order to prophesy in a healthy way, it is imperative that we understand the biblical purpose of prophecy. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are a few thoughts on this important topic.
Prophecy is to glorify God and serve others
All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to people for the purpose of serving other people. By making others our focus, God is glorified.
1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
There’s a beautiful line in this scripture above: as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Peter is writing about using spiritual gifts to serve others, and in this context, he highlights the need to take care of God’s grace when we are serving others. It is an incredible insight that we should be grace-focused in our approach to the operation of spiritual gifts. It’s always about God being clearly seen, and when He is, He is glorified.
Prophecy glorifies God and serves others when we speak the very words of God. This is important. Prophecy is only prophecy if it is authored by God. Prophecy is not our thoughts or our desires for people. Prophecy is God’s intention for people, and it is this that we are to speak to others.
Prophecy is to make us more like Jesus
God wants to build Christlikeness in His people.
Romans 8:29 (NIV) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
The word foreknew means to know beforehand, to foresee. God is omniscient, that is, He knows everything, including who will chose to accept His free gift of salvation. We must never forget that it is God’s will that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9).
Once people respond to the gospel, God’s desire is for them to become exactly like Jesus. The word predestined means “to limit in advance, to determine before”. The word conformed means “jointly formed, having the same form as another”. God has determined beforehand that those who accept Jesus will be formed into the same image as Jesus – that’s the only limit He puts on His children!
When we prophesy, we are partnering with this ultimate desire of our heavenly Father.
Prophecy is a declaration of who we are in God
We see many examples of this truth throughout Scripture. God calls people into a divine purpose before the people thought they were ready. God knew what He had placed in people while their lives were presently declaring the opposite. God did this with Jeremiah. Moses and Gideon.
God also frequently did this with the Children of Israel through the words of the prophets. Effectively, the message heard was, “Because you’re My people, be holy even as I am holy; I’ve called you to be like Me.”
God now does the same thing with us, including through prophetic words! Prophecy is a declaration of who we are in God before we see any evidence.
Prophecy is more about who people are in God than it is about what they will do for God. Prophecy is not so much about “You will do this…” Prophecy is more about “In Christ, you are this…” The purpose of prophecy is calling out of people what God has placed in people. Prophecy is partnering with what God is building in people!
A great activation of prophecy is to ask God, “Father, how do You see this person?” Then build into their lives by speaking out what Father shows you.
May God be glorified as we serve others through the gift of prophecy.
