June 11, 2024
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3
By the grace and mercies of God, every Holy Spirit filled believer can manifest the gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of the Church “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” - 1 Corinthians 12:7. 1 Corinthians 12: 8 - 11, lists these gifts and tells that their expression in the life of every believer is at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, for He gives them according to whom He chooses - 1Corinthians 12:11.
Now these gifts form a vital part of our lives, and they are all important. Unique among them however is the gift of prophecy. Apostle Paul recommends that we desire all the gifts but places emphasis on the gift of prophecy “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy” - 1 Corinthians 14:1. He explains why we should in verse 3 of 1 Corinthians 14 saying “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men”. Within the gift of prophecy lies the ministries of edification, exhortation and comfort for the benefit of the Church.
Prophecy is a divinely inspired utterance. The Greek word from which prophecy is translated means to speak for (or to) another. In Biblical and spiritual contexts, prophecy is a Holy Ghost inspired utterance that speaks the will of God “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” - 2 Peter 1:21.
A common misconception about prophecy is that it is foretelling (or predicting) the future. While most prophecies in the Bible were about future events that would take place, a better way to understand it is that those who prophesied spoke the will of God - 2 Peter 1:21 - and God’s will is about things to come because He declares the end from the beginning - Isaiah 46:10.
Prophecy is a divinely inspired utterance.
The will of God is the Word of God. To prophecy therefore is to speak, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the will of God which is the Word of God. Paul says that prophesying speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to all men. Edification means to strengthen, to uplift spiritually, or to build up. Exhortation means to strongly encourage, caution earnestly, admonish urgently or persuade someone to do (or not do) something.
Comfort is to console someone in distress, to ease or alleviate pain or grief. When we speak to one another, the Word of God and one (or all) of these three ministries, edification, exhortation and comfort are present within our speech, and we are under the power of the Holy Spirit, we may not be speaking ordinarily, we may be prophesying.
Song of Worship
Welcome Holy Spirit be here with Your presence
Fill me with Your power
Live inside of me
Welcome Holy Spirit. Song by Oasis Worship
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you because you freely give them as you see fit. I pray that your Holy Spirit finds and makes me a worthy administrator of the gifts that you bestow upon me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: Ezra 1-2