Prophesy

Read 1 Corinthians 11:17 thru 14
 
1 Corinthians 14:1-3 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
 
YOU may think this doesn’t apply to you. Most don’t speak in tongues, and who claims to be a prophet?
   But this is about teaching God’s word, a task we all are to do. To prophesy means to foretell the future and also to speak under divine inspiration. This gift is not confined to professional preachers and perhaps some who teach regularly. To speak God’s inspired Holy Bible’s is a call to each Christian. Jesus’ command to make disciples can be fulfilled through only reading the Bible and keeping it to ourselves. We must be of faith to trust the power of God’s Word. You can begin by reading God’s Word aloud to yourself to hear how it becomes more alive. Oftentimes, one will become inspired and empowered as one speaks the Word. Gifts from God may come more clearly when you say it aloud. And remember, Jesus promised help for your testimony, “But I will send you the Advocate, the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” (John 15:26)
   This is what happened with Peter at Pentecost and the other apostles and evangelists in the first century. No one had the gifts to prophesy before that time. Then God unleashed his power to those who stood up to speak of Jesus. The Spirit will testify through your mouth and your life, too, as you speak God’s Word. The more you say it, the more complete will be your prophesies, your teachings, from God’s Holy Word to tell of God.
   The gift of tongues is a more personal gift the Spirit uses for you to praise God. It is not given for evangelism or teaching. The “unknown” tongue is a language the person will not know. It is not unknown in the sense that no one in the world has ever spoken it. This, of course, does not build up the church for the learning of God’s Word. But it will build up the believer God has so gifted. Tongues can be a joyous gift to draw one closer to God.
   1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes each gift from God is for building the church. It is your responsibility to understand your gifts and use them. Remember, the Holy Spirit is waiting to help you.