Prophecy

Sometimes you need to be reminded what to PRAY for...

Paul is going to spend the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians convincing us to put the gift of prophecy near the top of our list!

Paul tells us to desire and seek the gift of prophecy in a loving heart.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV) Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

When it comes to tongues or prophecy? Paul says choose prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV) Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
(Not to be lost on that passage is Paul's desire for all of them to speak in tongues as well.)

But he clearly wants them to prophesy more...

1 Corinthians 14:19 (ESV) in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Paul uses the word for prophesy 28 times in the New Testament. No place more frequently than 1 Corinthians 14. So what is this gift we should be asking for?

The New Testament scriptural definitions for prophecy are many.  They are:
a. “to proclaim a divinely imparted message” (1 Cor. 11:4–5)
b. “to foretell” (Mk. 7:6; Lk. 1:67)
c. “to bring to light something that is hidden” (Mk. 14:65)
d. “to teach, admonish, comfort” (1 Cor. 14:3, 31)
e. “to glorify God ecstatically” (Acts 10:46–47)

I once heard a pastor say it this way: It's the ability to speak about things the way God sees them.

Prophecy can do a lot of good for the church. It builds, encourages and comforts.  Prophecy can turn the heart of an unbeliever into a humbled repentant believer.

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (ESV) But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

That's one powerful gift. To see the words of your mouth be used of God to change the heart of someone else so drastically. Amazing!

So how are we doing seeking what the Bible tells us to seek? I think many people avoid prophecy because they've seen the weirdos on TV doing it and it turned us off. Others of us may have had a bad experience where we were embarrassed. Paul makes it clear, the Holy Spirit is in the building and convicting business, not the embarrassing business. God wants to change your life, not put you to shame.

Perhaps we need to ask God for this gift apart from our preconceived notions or even in spite of them. After all, we are told to ask for THIS gift. Perhaps our churches would be stronger and advance further if we operated more regularly in this wonderful gift.

PRAYER:

Father I'm going to ask for what Your Word tells me to ask for. I'm asking You for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to work in my life today as you see fit to accomplish your purposes. I especially ask for the gift of prophecy to build up the Church. Help me to work with the Holy Spirit's leading and prompting. In Jesus' Name. Amen.