In looking at what the Bible teaches on The Gift of Prophecy we can see that it is all about building up the people of God in such a way that they can function to the glory of God. There are things that only prophecy can do for us. Therefore we do need to take heed to this important gift that God has given to the Church today.

In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 we read of Paul advising Timothy on the importance of remembering the prophecies that had been spoken over his life previously:

“This charge (“a proclamation, public notice, command, especially as a military term, a general order” – Bullinger’s; “an extra message”) I commit (“to put alongside of”) unto you, son Timothy, according to (“in relation to, as stated by”) the prophecies (that is the Prophetic Word) which went before on you, that you by them (the Prophetic Words) might war a good warfare (“military service; a military expedition, campaign” – Bullinger’s)”;

“Holding faith (“firm persuasion, the conviction which is based upon hearing, not upon sight or knowledge; a firmly relying confidence in what we hear from God in His Word” – Bullinger’s), and a good conscience (“a knowing with one’s self, consciousness; the being one’s own witness; the testimony to one’s own conduct borne by consciousness, especially the consciousness man has of himself in his relation to God” – Bullinger’s); which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck (“ruin, destruction” – Collins)”:

“Of whom is Hymenaeus (see 2 Timothy 2:15-18) and Alexander (see 2 Timothy 4:14-15) whom I have delivered unto Satan (“the adversary, accuser”), that they may learn (“to educate, discipline, instruct”) not to blaspheme (“to drop evil or profane words, especially to revile God or divine things” – Bullinger's).”

In the above Scriptures we see that the purpose for the Prophetic Word is threefold:

1. That by it we may war a good warfare. The prophetic word enables us to be aware of who we are in God’s purposes, and that Satan wants to render us ineffective in the Kingdom of God to stop us from fulfilling those purposes. We resist him accordingly.

2. That we will hold on to faith. That faith is the principles of God, the Scriptures, and that believing that makes Christianity a living reality in our lives. That faith enables us to know the God of the Word as well as the Word of God!

3. That we maintain a good conscience. The state of our conscience determines how courageous we will be in obeying that which God speaks to us. The truth and power of prophetic words enable us to deal to the negativities that try and “dull” our conscience and therefore stop us from rising in faith to do the works of God.

• The Prophetic Word imparted into us gives us “keys” or the strategy to know how to stand against the enemy of our souls, Satan. (Planning strategy ~ knowledge).

• The Prophetic Word makes us strong to stand against all enemy attacks in all its many forms. (Inward strength to face the enemy in his plottings and actions against us).

• The Prophetic Word helps us to mature the Christian Church in divine order under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (Imparting God’s victory into others.)

How we need to stand true to God in the aforementioned points!

These principles given by the Apostle Paul to Timothy contain serious instructions on how to survive as a Holy Spirit-filled Christian believer. We ignore prophecies to our own hurt ~ Rodney W. Francis.

Bible  Readings:   1 Corinthians 14;  1 Timothy 1:18-20.

Please Pray This Prayer:

 

"Dear God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I ask You to help me to get much more serious about Spiritual Gifts operating more freely out of my life. Your Word tells me that I should and can prophesy, and so I ask You to stir and liberate me to be able to minister this beautiful gift to build up the Body of Christ. Help me to deal with all those negativities in my life that are not allowing me to function more fully in Your Spiritual Gifts. I really do want to be an effective and fruitful minister of Your Gospel in my day and generation. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen."

The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry,   New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.