The Gift of Prophecy Today
In 1 Corinthians 12, a passage labeled “Concerning Spiritual Gifts”, the Apostle Paul tells us to not be “uninformed”. He goes on to say that although there is a diversity of spiritual gifts given to us by God in Jesus through His Spirit, they all originate in the same God, the same Lord. They are all empowered by Him—and are to be seen as “manifestations” of the Spirit. The gift of prophecy is contained in this list as one of the gifts given by God “just as He determines.” Paul also includes wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, discernment, tongues, and interpretation in this list.
Paul says (1 Corinthians 13:2) that if the gift of prophecy is used (or any other gift, for that matter) without love, that the gift is worthless. In addition, when the church in Corinth was eagerly desirous of the “flashy” gifts like speaking in tongues, Paul selects prophecy as the gift that they would do better to desire—since it provided an understandable message for the people (1 Corinthians 14:1, 6) without needing “interpretation.”
Prophecy is the gift that God uses to convict His people of sin and their need for repentance. Prophecy today is the Holy-Spirit-empowered ability to speak God’s Word—truth—into a situation, calling them to turn back to God, warning of the consequences of not doing so, and reminding people of God’s promises and of His justice and judgment. Knowing the right timing to speak a word from God depends on the person with the gift of prophecy being prayerful and sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.
Although the focus of questions around the spiritual gift of Prophecy usually is about future-telling, the primary role of the prophet was not and is not this focus. Even when prophets were able to tell people what would happen, the message was always to correct, to encourage to repent, and/or for teaching purposes. Always, the prophet’s message was to return people to a right relationship with God.
At times, prophets may see visions or dream dreams that God will infuse with meaning and prophets will need to explain—or translate the sense to those listening (Daniel, Joseph).
Whenever someone claims to have the gift of prophecy, it should always be put to the same test as other gifts. Words said by a prophet are always consistent with God’s Word and His character. Spiritual maturity and fruit of the Spirit should be evident in how the prophet lives and delivers messages. God’s use of a prophet is out of loving concern for His people—and the prophet conveys that love as well.
We are hearing modern day prophets—calling us to confession, to repentance, to return to God—to His standards for justice, equality, love for Him and for our neighbors. They sometimes, like in days gone by, seem intense, strident, angry, persistent. This IS the job of the prophet. To get our attention. To remind us. To call us to our better selves in Jesus. Are we listening?
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.