Prophecy

Prophecy is one of the most powerful gifts God has given to His people. It is not just an Old Testament phenomenon—it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, available and encouraged for believers today. 1 Corinthians 14:1 urges us: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” The prophetic is not about fortune-telling or wild predictions; it is about hearing from God and speaking His truth to encourage, strengthen, and guide others. Prophecy is meant to build up the church, confirm God’s will, and reveal His heart to His people. In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes the prophet Joel, declaring that in the last days, God will pour out His Spirit, and sons and daughters will prophesy. This means that prophecy is not reserved for a select few—it is a spiritual gift available to all who walk in the Spirit. When we seek God and ask Him to speak, He is faithful to reveal His heart and will to us. Prophetic words can come in different forms—through Scripture, dreams, visions, or a strong impression in our spirit. The key is to test every word against the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) and seek God’s wisdom in how to steward it. God is still speaking today. Are you listening? How to Walk in the Gift of Prophecy 1. Desire the Gift • Ask God to give you a prophetic sensitivity to hear His voice. • Scripture: “Eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1) 2. Stay Rooted in Scripture • Prophecy will never contradict God’s Word. Test all prophetic words against Scripture. • Scripture: “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) 3. Develop a Listening Heart • Spend time in prayer and quiet before God, asking Him to speak. • Scripture: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:9) 4. Speak in Love and Encouragement • Prophecy should always build up, encourage, and strengthen others. • Scripture: “The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3) 5. Trust the Holy Spirit’s Leading • If God gives you a word for someone, pray about when and how to share it. Trust that the Spirit will guide you. Why Prophecy Matters Today • It Confirms God’s Will – Prophetic words can affirm what God is already speaking to someone. • It Strengthens the Church – It encourages believers and builds up faith. • It Draws Us Closer to God – The more we seek to hear His voice, the deeper our relationship grows. Question to Ponder: Have you asked God to speak to you prophetically? How can you develop a deeper sensitivity to His voice? Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of prophecy and the way You speak to Your people. Help me to desire and steward this gift with wisdom, humility, and love. Open my ears to hear Your voice, and teach me to speak only what aligns with Your Word and Your heart. Use me to encourage and build up those around me, and let my life be a reflection of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.