The Gift of Prophecy (2)

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for another Monday and that He is our very present help in trouble (Psalm 46v1).

Primary Text

“To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); …” 1 Corinthians 12v10 (AMP)

A prophecy is “saying what God has determined to do, either in the immediate or in the future. Ordinarily, it is reading the mind of God on certain issues” (Adeboye, 1997, p. 64). God gives prophecies through the Holy Spirit giving the gift of prophecy, through a prophet, and through the Word of God. However, while God inspires prophecies, there are also prophecies that come from the devil and his agents (Acts 16v16-17), and from people themselves (Jeremiah 23v16-17). That’s why there are false prophets who might tell you what is true perhaps about your past, but their solutions are usually not in line with the Word of God, and their motivation might be for money, or influence. One characteristic of a true prophecy is that it will always come to pass, no matter how improbable it sounds. Isaiah 9v6-7 (KJV) says “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” These verses of Scripture are one of many that foretold the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and they came to pass. A true word of prophecy from God will always come to pass, and it would not contradict the Word of God.

Supplementary Text

“Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.” 1 Thessalonians 5v20&21 (KJV)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word and Your ways. We thank You for how You continue to speak to us. We thank You for being our God. We pray that You will help us to be discerning about prophetic utterances, to judge that which is of You and that which is not, in Jesus name we pray, amen.

Reference

Pastor E.A. Adeboye (1997). God the Holy Spirit. Lagos: Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.