LEARNING TO LISTEN:
TO THE VOICE OF PROPHECY
The gift of prophesy can b described like this: “One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3)” “Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort (NIV)
Eccentricities in Doctrine and Methodology
As any parent with a toddler knows, toddlers do strange things. According to (ToddlerBehavior.org), toddlers can only communicate with words to a certain degree and must resort to other methods beyond that. Toddlers are also by nature curious and want to exert their independence whenever possible. Some toddler behaviors are weird, but perfectly normal and will be outgrown as they get older.
Curiosity
Toddlers love to see, hear, touch and even taste new things. Children at this also like to put their fingers up their nose. Other than their bodies, toddlers also pick things up off the ground, grab things off shelves at the store, climb on furniture, unload the cupboards and drawers and test out buttons on the TV or remote control. Wives beware… men never outgrow this one.
Head Banging
Parents Magazine reports that head banging is a common toddler behavior. Most use it to soothe themselves when they are upset, especially at bedtime because the rhythm is comforting to them. Parents beware… they are getting ready for teenage music.
Tantrums
Throwing a temper tantrum is a hallmark behavior of toddlers. Tantrums are a good way for a child to get her caregiver’s attention since she isn’t always able to effectively communicate her needs. Toddlers use a tantrum to show they are upset, tired or hungry. Wives beware…
Strange Eating Habits
Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters. Some toddlers will refuse to eat anything but a few favorites while others will willingly eat certain foods on certain days and refuse them on others. A toddler requires fewer calories at this age because his growth slows down so he may just not be hungry. Other children will refuse to eat to exert their control. Wives beware…
Being Naked…
In some church circles prophetic people have been allowed to function unchecked (prophetic personality/eccentricity) often because leaders have been intimidated by their sometimes powerful gifting. This lack of accountability has allowed some to develop unbiblical ideas and ways and pass them off as normative and valid.
- It is not necessary for them to be accountable to human leadership because they answer to God alone.
- They are given the liberty to speak dogmatically on extra biblical issues or on nonessential matters because, supposedly, they have received divine revelation.
- They are permitted to rebuke harshly people in public settings without following the biblical principles of confrontation because they are really “filled with the Spirit” and are directly led to do so.
- It’s ok for them to use hyperbole-exaggerated statements, in order to create an atmosphere of “faith” for their gift to work. (Jeff Jansen)
- It’s permissible for them to draw undue attention to themselves because they are the special conduits of God.
- Ordinary believers may not approach them because they are too important and must not be distracted from their communion with God.
- They are allowed to engage in behaviors and bad character that others couldn’t get away with because they are “anointed vessels” that must never be touched by any criticism. (Todd Bentley)
I) INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GIFT
Prophesy, because of its nature, is perhaps the greatest of the gifts mentioned in the book of Corinthians chapter 12:8-11, for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to
another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Paul told us to: “set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy (preaching God’s message) (1 Corinthians 14:1) “desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy” Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy
It is significant that prophesy is the only gift and office mentioned in all three gift lists (Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians)
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul mentions prophesy or its bearers three times alone, indicating the importance Paul must have placed on it as a gift. Also, 1
Corinthians 14 is almost entirely devoted to Paul’s insistence that prophesy is the preferred way of communicating to the church in supernatural
utterances during corporate gatherings
Preference is accorded because prophesy is intelligible, whereas glossolalia is unintelligible, although both are forms of inspired speech, “I would like everyone of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather (prefer) to have you prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:5)
For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:31)
On the other hand, Paul made it clear in 12:29 that not all were prophets, Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?… Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Definition: ‘the gift of speaking God’ messages (1 Corinthians 12:10) ‘to another prophesy” to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues
Prophesy means prediction, forth-telling, public exposition
There is a distinction between prophesy and prophets
The gift of prophets is the gift of full time leadership to the body
The gift of prophesy is the gift of inspired utterance(s)
The gift of prophets is for a rather small body of people (dora)
The gift of prophesy is for the whole body “you may prophesy one by one (1Corinthians 14:31)” For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged
The difference is seen like this: all who have the office will prophesy; but all who prophesy do not have the office:
1) It must be according to the faith we have, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith (Romans 12:6)
This stresses the importance of prayer, understanding of Scripture and level of infilling of Scripture
2) Must be limited and judged, Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge (1 Corinthians 14:29) Let 2 or 3 speak
a) Rules of order
b) Right to discern
3) All my prophesy, For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged… I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification… If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret (1 Corinthians 14:31 & 14:5, 27)
All believers can be used
4) Those who are used by the Spirit in prophesy must be willing to take instruction and be corrected, If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet
or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37)
REASONS WHY WE PROPHESY
a) It builds the church when done correctly
b) It includes the non-tongue talker (tongues are for interpretation)
c) It communicates effectively the claims of the Gospel
II) PROPHETIC WORDS BE PERSONAL APPLICATIONS OF THE VOICE OF GOD INDIVIDUALLY
Look at the way Paul spoke to Timothy
A) Paul found Timothy on his second Missionary journey while traveling through Lystra and Derbe
Paul wanted to bring him with him – the Elders gathered and laid hands on Timothy – a prophesy came forth with an imparting of a gift
B) Later Paul would write to Timothy from prison urging him to “not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed (given) through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the Elders, Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership (1 Timothy 4:14)
C) A second time Paul writes to encourage the use of this gifting as says, “I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands (2 Timothy 1:6)”
Let me comment on the principles that are being issued in these passages: They suggest that prophesy is not fulfilled automatically, but operates on the foundation of the Old Testament where we read that: “at one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a Kingdom to uproot, to
pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent (repent) concerning the calamity I planned to
bring on it (Jeremiah 18:7-8)”
The abatement of judgment principle can also reversed: “or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a Kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in my sight by not obeying my voice, then I will think better of the good with which I have promised to bless it (Jeremiah 18:9-10)
Most often, prophesy functions to confirm what the Lord is already subtly impressing upon our lives, hearts and minds.
Foundations for Prophesy: Overreliance on Prophesy for Personal Guidance
The reality of prophetic power of God can be very emotionally intoxicating to us.
Once people experience it and are benefited, sometimes greatly, from it, they are tempted to think that it is supposed to operate for them in every situation of life. This is a big mistake
God is a father, not a dictator. Sometimes He will dictate orders to us in the broader context of fathering us. But more profoundly, He wants to transform us within so that we “catch” His thoughts and feelings by becoming more like Him and having His attitudes and perspectives incorporated deeply in the fiber of our beings. He wants us to “prove” His good, acceptable and perfect will through the renewing of our minds more than by guiding us through prophecy.
Rom 12:2
Powerful encounters and experiences do not ensure obedience of those to whom they come. At their best they are simply divine invitations to obedience.
God wants to integrate His heart, mind and will into our souls and through our bodies in a psychologically sound way. God wants us to intelligently want, internally desire and personally own His will for us.
The communication of this will of God is often a gradual more thorough process than just receiving verbal orders.
God wants to form us in the process of informing us, and in fact this personal formation takes precedence over the acquisition of prophetic knowledge. In other words: Character, Character, Character; before the gift, gift, gift (Michal Sullivant)!
III) PROPHETIC WORDS MAY COME IN PRACRICAL TERMS
Luke the Doctor/historian records how a Jerusalem church was made aware of a coming famine during the reign of Claudius
He went to Antioch and spoke to the believers about the revelation. The result: an offering was taken and sent by Paul and Barnabus
The Jerusalem church was spared the ravages of the famine by the words of the prophets, And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30
This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:27-30)
Prophesy can be seen as a pronouncement of both judgment or salvation with the word
1) (START) PURPOSE OF THE EFFECTS OF PROPHESY
a) The building up/edification effect – spiritual strengthening – for the weak – to remove fear
b) 1 Corinthians 14:3 the exhortation – encourage – pushing into a deeper walk, But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men
c) The consolation – comfort – healing of the distress, sorrow, persecuted, and suffering
We live in a world of brokenness – lives –homes – ambitions
People today do necessarily need sympathy or pity, they need comfort
Prophesy goes beyond teaching, guidance, forth-telling, rebuke and criticism
It is for edification, exhortation and comfort
2) ESSENSE OF PROPHESY
Namely the conviction of sinners and their confession, “God is truly among you (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you
Prophesy for Paul was not so much a prepared sermon as it was word of revelation from God
It could be formed into a message/sermon, but it is always for a specific occasion or situation and it is formed spontaneously and its utterance is always for the building up of the body
3) Testing of a Prophet
Prophets have to be tested theologically – they are measured by the revelation of the Old Testament and the New Testament, If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant and All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (1 Corinthians 14:37-38 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
True prophesy and prophets will always gladly submit to the final authority of Scripture
It isn’t a new revelation or truth for the church – rather it is a harmonic expression of Scriptural truth
There is also a confessional test – (1 Corinthians 12:1-3) Jesus is LORD – this is not just a verbal confession – it is a contextual confession – does it embody the spirit of Jesus, His life and ministry?
There is a practical test – is it balanced between judgment and grace?
There is a moral test – both in content and in the lives of those prophesying
When someone attempts to speak prophetically, the persons motives can be pure and the platform may exist for risk taking as people grow in the gifts, but there are no guarantees a ‘thus says the LORD’ really is a ‘thus says the LORD’
The gift of prophesy can be described like this: “One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3)” “Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort (NIV). When we analyze prophesy in the light of this passage, we see that it places prophesy on a level we can all understand and participate in as we are directed by Holy Spirit
Prophesy can come in the form of preaching and teaching, prophesy can also come in the guise of the unobtrusive ways that Holy Spirit guides us in the mundane, day to day aspects of life
On occasion, the person who is prophesying may not even know that they are indeed speaking a ‘living word’, yet the hearer (gifted one) will
Most of us think of prophesy coming forth in authoritative tones. The authority in and of a word of prophesy does not lie in the voice’s strength, volume or in the eloquence of the speaker who is intoning ‘thus says the LORD…”
A message can be given with loud volume, and it can be given casually and softly with each carrying the same weight. The authority of the word is found in the confirmation in the hearer’s heart
When someone attempts to speak prophetically, the persons motives can be pure and the platform may exist for risk taking as people grow in the gifts, but there are no guarantees a ‘thus says the LORD’ really is a ‘thus says the LORD’
