The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy Defined
to speak forth the message of God to His people
Greek word: prophetes (‘pro’=forth; ‘phemi’=to speak)
Example of How Gifting Must Be Used According to God’s Purposes and Ways
Servant #1: He was a retired pastor who no longer did much preaching, but often would lead in the pastoral prayer. You could still hear the pronouncements toward sin and righteousness as he prayed about the social woes and problems in the church. Often your own heart would be brought under conviction as you listened to his prayers filled with Scripture about God’s desires for His people.
Servant #2: He worked with young people in his church. His lessons tended to focus on what he saw wrong in their lives. His heart was for them to grow in the Lord and to live holy lives. Though well-intentioned, his persistent and strong emphasis on the sin in their lives caused students to feel put down.
Both of these servants had the gift of prophecy. They couldn’t help but see the contrast between what should be and what was in people’s lives and speak up. They felt compelled to speak forth the Word of truth into a situation. Yet, you see a different outcome in the lives of those to whom they spoke truth.
Lesson to be learned:
Let’s remember that spiritual gifts must be used through God’s power and line up with His purpose and principles. The ultimate purpose of any gift is for the common good and building up of God’s people. Gifts can be misused which was happening in the church of Corinth. 1 Corinthians 14 specifically states that the use of the gift of prophecy is to be done for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and consolation. It is not simply about saying what you believe needs to be said or bringing people under condemnation. It must be coupled with grace for people to get beyond simply feeling condemned. Jesus, who left us an example, was full of grace AND truth (Jn. 1:14). We are to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).
Get this example of the spiritual gift of prophecy in use, along with 20 other gifts, in the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use. In addition, the handbook suggests spiritual gifts most typically used in 16 broad ministry areas and 27 specific tasks that may need to be accomplished in most of those areas.
Thank you so much for this – I had ZERO idea I had this spiritual gift. Now the distinction between these two approaches you show above succinctly captures where I am with others, and what I am doing wrong with friends and colleagues and especially my husband and my children (not believers). Since becoming a Christian two+ years ago, I am full of zeal and love to talk about nothing more than the Lord, but need to be much more sensitive to the above! I know I apparently have worn some of them down, and actually have lost one close friendship to just exactly what is described above. OH!! how this has blessed and illuminated for me what I need to study and put first in my heart…grace grace grace! Thank you so very much for these discernment-filled examples.
I praise God for your teachable spirit. Understanding these tendencies is a starting point to making changes. Truth is ever so important but so is grace. You might want to read the article, Grace & Truth – Not a Matter of Balance. If you make a conscientious effort to stop and pray and think about BOTH grace and truth, it should help you in future relationships. I pray you keep that zeal but that it is tempered with grace in its expression.
Thank so you much
I think I have fallen into the #1 category many time, although I’m no pastor I do get opportunity to do an opening prayer each week for a good 15 minutes and I’ve had people tell me unusually often how when I pray they feel a strong stir or the atmosphere changes. Young and older have told me this so many times but I could never really understood what it all meant.. even my Pastor has made tons of comments, even once making a reference to me praying like I’m 90 yrs old (experience with God)….
I would’ve never thought it was because of this gift, but sir God did show me Jer 1:5 many many years ago and I am just coming to the understanding that I have been called to this ministry.
Thank You for the explanation, as I have been asking God quite a bit to make it plain to me if this is real.
I praise God He has used this post. As your experience has shown, God can use the spiritual gifts He has given us even when we have not yet identified a gift within us. The key is that we yield to Him in whatever we do. Knowing our gifts, however, can be helpful to keep us on track with His design in our lives whereby we bring glory to Him as we are used by Him to build up others.
I struggled with it for a very long time. I heard many sermons about prophecy misleading people, people who claim to have this kind of ministry have ulterior motives, and quite frankly the atmosphere is not usually set for the certain things to go forth… I have also been used quite a bit in the gifts of tongues with the interpretation (which is not ironically held back)
Is there anywhere else you might be able to direct me as far as direction these types of things could lead… I am very serious about the gifts and the ministry God wants me to operate in
Yes, K, there are definitely guidelines God gives for the use of spiritual gifts. Think about it. He devotes an entire chapter, 1 Corinthians 14, to the two gifts you mentioned. For God to devote so much space to it lets us know that it matters to Him so we need to take note of what He says and line up with Him. GOD defines the use of spiritual gifts not our experience, background, or personal bents. The problem is that so much of what is happening does not line up with God’s Word.
You might find some direction on the page Ministry Areas Using Your Spiritual Gifts. It gives some broad ministry areas gifts might fit under and some specific tasks within those. God will use all of who you are, not just your spiritual gifts, so your personality and passions will factor in as well. Perhaps, if you haven’t already done so, you might want to read the section on Finding Your Best Fit in Ministry.
I haven’t read over them all but I did skim and saw that you included the DISC assessment here, which I’ve actually done at my job and I am definitely a strong S.
I will keep that in mind as well “God will use all of who you are, not just your spiritual gifts, so your personality and passions will factor in as well.”
…and you’re right, God will use the gifts how he sees fit regardless of what anyone says, as they are majorly important to the church body.
I really appreciate this time and this site. I have most certainly been blessed today. Shared it with my wife also who is a teacher and has gifts in administration as well… She definitely saw herself in the descriptions. I will share this with whomever I can.
May God use this material in anyone you send this way. Thanks.
To my very surprise “my top of the list was the gift of prophecy and exhortation”! At first I did not understand why. But as I continued to read the picture became clear.
In 2010 my marriage of 18 years came to end, as a results of my husband wanting out, and my life as I knew it ended. But what I thought I knew I realized I didn’t! That was the discover that I believed in God but I did not have a relationship with him. In this dark hole of depression God reached in and saved me…I have never been the same since. With this came my journey/passion for my Lord and creator! Everyone wanted to know, see and hear how I had managed to lift myself up…and I happily explained. I continue to look for opportunities to include my faith and my belief in God, but the most interesting part is, people seek me out just to hear the word and words of encouragement and comfort.
With that said I read diligently Gods word so that I may have the knowledge to help, teach, and encourage what God wants us to do with our lives. I pray often for God to give me the ease of articulating his word, which is where I struggle with the lack of self confidence.
With that said I thank you for the quiz and the explanations of each gift and the tools that can be used to help us strengthen that gift or gifts. Once again thank you!
Ruby
You are most welcome, Ruby. I praise God for your testimony of God’s grace and how He is using you to His glory. I encourage you to continue your devotion to God’s Word and keep trusting God as you use your gifts. The key to remember is that spiritual gifts are special divine empowerments the Spirit gives us to be used by Him. Depend on Him to work through you as you use the gifts and self-confidence will not have to be an issue because it is about what He does through you, not your abilities. Keep praying, trusting Him to work through you. In different situations like you described of people seeking me out or even when someone asks a question in the classroom, I silently and quickly call out to God to give me what He wants me to say before opening my mouth and then trust Him to come through. If you truly believe spiritual gifts are divine empowerments then you yield to Him and trust Him to work through you. May God bless you and continue to use you to His glory. — Phyllis
I was astonished at the outcome of this profile when I took it. 13, 14, 15 on Teaching, Exhortation, and Prophecy. I could not have predicted that. I published my scores online at aloha-friday.org/archives/4162 and shared this test and screening site with many subscribers. I have some serious and sobering reevaluation to do regarding responsible application of these surprising charisms. Today’s post comes toward the end of a series on Stewardship, and your notes, comments, guidance, and access to information have confirmed and at the same time challenged my thinking about what a pleasant and useful yoke our Lord has provided. I am in awe over his generosity!
Hello, MBN. I’m glad the spiritual gifts test results and content on the site has been both confirming and challenging. That’s a good thing because God will undoubtedly use that to take you beyond where you are in your walk and service. Certainly the high scores in teaching, exhortation, and prophecy indicate that He wants to use you in communicating His Word. Of course, that can be verbally but also in writing (i.e., your website). Your communication should be systematic (gift of teaching), applicational (exhortation), and forthright about what God wants people to know (prophecy). There are many ways that can all come together. May God use you to His glory!