The gift of prophesying is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible. It is a gift given by the Holy Spirit to believers, enabling them to deliver God-inspired messages for the edification of the church and the guidance of God’s people. In this study, we will explore 1 Corinthians 14:1 and examine the meaning of the gift of prophesying, its importance in building up the church, and the need to seek spiritual discernment in evaluating prophecies.
The Meaning of the Gift of Prophecy
In 1 Corinthians 14:1, the apostle Paul writes, “Follow love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially to prophesy.” This passage calls our attention to the fact that, among spiritual gifts, the gift of prophesying is of great importance.
The term “prophesy” can have different meanings in the biblical context. It involves the communication of divine messages under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The prophet is a mouthpiece for God, conveying His words to the people. The gift of prophesying is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, allowing believers to speak directly from God.
Although we often associate prophecy with predicting the future, biblical prophecy is much broader. It may involve revealing spiritual truths, encouraging, exhorting, correcting, and directing the lives of believers. The main purpose of the gift of prophesying is to edify, encourage and comfort the church, directing it to the will of God.
The Importance of the Gift of Prophecy in Building the Church
The gift of prophesying plays a crucial role in building up the church. When exercised correctly, it brings spiritual growth, faith strengthening, and direction to the community of believers. It is a valuable tool for bringing God’s revelation and knowledge to God’s people.
In the verse of 1 Corinthians 14:3 , Paul states, “ But he who prophesies speaks to men, edifying, exhorting and comforting.” Through prophecy, God speaks words of edification, encouragement, and comfort to His people. Prophetic messages bring direction, insight and divine wisdom to face the challenges of the Christian life.
The gift of prophesying is a means by which God communicates with the church. It enables believers to hear God’s voice and share His words with others. When prophecy is properly received and applied, it brings about unity, growth, and transformation in the lives of believers and the church as a whole.
Spiritual Discernment as a Tool for Evaluating Prophecy
While the gift of prophesying is a precious gift, it is critical to seek spiritual discernment in evaluating prophecies. Not all words spoken in the name of God are genuine, as there are false prophets and misleading messages. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the ability to discern what is true and in line with the Word of God.
1 John 4:1 warns us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This passage reminds us of the importance of testing prophecies and examining them in the light of God’s Word. Spiritual discernment enables us to distinguish between the true and the false, allowing us to receive only what comes from God.
Spiritual discernment is not just intellectual knowledge, but a skill that must be pursued and cultivated. We should pray for God’s wisdom, study the Bible, and seek the counsel of mature spiritual leaders. It is important that we are always alert and vigilant so that we are not deceived by false prophecies.
The Purpose of the Gift of Prophecy
The gift of prophesy has a specific purpose in the life of the church and in God’s plan for His people. 1 Corinthians 14:3, reveals that the purpose of the gift of prophesying is the edification, exhortation, and comfort of those who hear the prophetic message.
Prophecy has the power to build the church, strengthening believers in their faith and spiritual growth. It brings encouragement to persevere through the difficulties and challenges of the Christian life, as well as loving correction when needed. Furthermore, the prophecy brings comfort to those who are going through times of pain, loss, or uncertainty.
Through the gift of prophesying, God reveals and directs His people, enabling them to live according to His will and purpose. Prophecy can also bring revelation of spiritual truths, awaken repentance, and call to obedience.
The Need to Pursue Spiritual Discernment
As mentioned earlier, it is essential to seek spiritual discernment when dealing with the gift of prophesying. While it is a valuable gift, there is an urgent need to discern between the genuine words of God and false prophecies. Spiritual deception is a reality, and the enemy seeks to distort the truth and confuse God’s people.
In addition to personal discernment, it is important for the church to exercise corporate discernment when evaluating prophecy. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 exhorts us: “Do not despise the prophecies. Examine everything. Hold fast to the good.” We must carefully examine prophecies, measuring them against the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
When it comes to prophecies, it is important not to judge the prophet himself, but the prophetic message. In 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, Paul exhorts us that we are not to despise prophecies, but to examine them carefully.
When evaluating a prophecy, we must consider its consistency with the Word of God. The Bible is our basis for discerning the truth of a prophecy. If a prophecy contradicts God’s Word, we must reject it. In addition, we must consider the prophet’s fruit and whether the message is in line with the character and nature of God.
However, we must be careful not to fall into the extreme of judging hastily or dismissively. God’s Word instructs us to examine prophecies with discernment, but also to withhold what is good. It is important to remember that not all prophecies are perfect as they are transmitted through human vessels which are fallible.
Rather than judging the prophet, we should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern the message. We should pray and ask God to give us wisdom and discernment to evaluate prophecy according to his will.
To pursue spiritual discernment, we need to be intimately connected with God through prayer and Bible study. The Holy Spirit enables us to discern truth and identify any deception. It is also important to seek advice from mature and wise spiritual leaders who can guide us through this discernment process.
The Quest for Building the Church
The gift of prophesying should be exercised with the primary aim of building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12 instructs us, “So you also, as you desire spiritual gifts, strive to have an abundance of them for the building up of the church.” This passage reminds us that spiritual gifts are given for the building up of the body of Christ, not for personal exaltation.
In exercising the gift of prophesying, we should seek the spiritual growth and strengthening of the church as a whole. We must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and speak words that build up, encourage and correct according to God’s will. The building up of the church should be our main objective when using spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophesying.
Verses about the Gift of Prophecy
In addition to 1 Corinthians 14:1, there are other verses in the Bible that address the gift of prophecy and its importance in the life of the church. Let’s explore some of them:
1 Corinthians 12:10 – “To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, to discern the spirits; to another, the variety of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.” This passage highlights that the gift of prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” In this verse, we see that prophets are mentioned as part of God’s plan for building up the body of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 – “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the prophecies. Examine everything. Hold fast to the good.” This passage emphasizes the importance of not discounting prophecy but examining it in the light of God’s Word.
Prophecy in the Bible and the Major Prophets
The Bible is full of examples of prophecies and prophets that God used to convey His message to His people. Some of the major prophets in the Bible include:
Isaiah – Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet who brought messages of warning, exhortation, and comfort to the people of Israel. His prophecies pointed to the Messiah and contained promises of redemption and restoration. A relevant verse about the importance of the prophet Isaiah is found in Isaiah 1:1: “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem.”
Jeremiah – Jeremiah was a prophet called by God to warn the people of Israel of God’s impending judgment due to their disobedience. He also prophesied about the new covenant that God would make with his people. In Jeremiah 1:4-5, we find a crucial passage that reveals Jeremiah’s calling: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I chose you; before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you a prophet to the nations’”.
Ezekiel – Ezekiel was an exiled prophet who received visions and messages from God. His prophecies addressed God’s judgment on sin, Israel’s restoration, and the vision of the future temple. A significant verse that highlights Ezekiel’s call is in Ezekiel 2:3: “ Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, I send you to the Israelites, to the rebellious nations that rebelled against me; they and their forefathers have revolted against me to this day’”.
These are just a few examples of the many prophets mentioned in the Bible. Each of them played an important role in delivering God’s message and guiding his people.
Conclusion
The gift of prophesying is a valuable spiritual gift that God gives to believers for the building up of the church. It is a means by which God communicates with His people, bringing direction, encouragement, and correction. However, it is crucial to seek spiritual discernment when evaluating prophecies so that we are not deceived by false prophets.
We should always seek to build up the church by exercising spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophesying. Our search for spiritual discernment and our intimate connection with God are fundamental for us to exercise this gift correctly and effectively.
May we follow the example of the biblical prophets, transmitting God’s messages with love, humility and integrity, always seeking to build up the body of Christ.
