Spiritual Gifts: Prophecy

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Romans 12:6

The gift of prophecy has three important elemental features to it. These features are derived from the meaning of the word prophecy. Firstly, prophecy means to predict the future. Because GOD is the only One who knows the future, it follows that those having the gift of foretelling the future must be of GOD. The qualification must be that every prophecy must come true: otherwise he is a false prophet (Deut 18:21,22). Secondly, the word prophecy has reference to the Bible. “ For the prophecy came not in old time …” 2 Pet 1:21. Thirdly, the word prophecy means also the message of GOD. Therefore a man can also be one that speaks the word of GOD, a preacher.

The outstanding qualities of a man with the gift of prophecy include the following: the ability to identify the intentions, to discern the right from the wrong in any situation, the need to speak the message of GOD, the need to reprove sin, a working knowledge of the scripture, and the willingness to be broken in order to get right with GOD. These people would be the christians who always ask the questions about the morality (right and wrong) of any situation that happened, they would need to oftentimes interject to insert their views as to whether it is righteous or not. They often appeal to Scripture for their authority and they can be seen as being unfeeling, harsh, unsympathetic and uncompromising.

Paul admonished these prophets to use their gifts according the faith that God has granted them. “Proportion” has two words that mean intensity, and the word spoken. The reference Paul had was that the prophets should speak according to the intensity of the words that they have received. If the word of GOD emphasised separation from sin, the prophet must emphasise separation from sin. If the bible verse focused on the love of Christ, the prophet must preach the love of Christ and if the word of God teach service, then the preacher must preach the service to the Lord. If the Scriptures advocate baptism and obedience, then the prophet must emphasise baptism and obedience to the Lord. The prophet must be faithful to the message of the Lord, despite being misunderstood many times.

Because the message of the prophet can be searing, and convicting, it must be tempered with love and grace, “for truth came by Moses but TRUTH AND GRACE came by the Lord Jesus”. John 1: 14. He must not back down from his posture of truth that He has received from the Lord: that would be high treason! He would not and he cannot be unfaithful to the message of faith he has received. But he needs to have compassion as he preaches because although the hearers are hardened, or backslidden in their hearts, yet condemnation will not assist the sinner back to the Lord but the grace of Christ.

Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then be faithful to the message that you have received from the Lord and share it. Be compassionate to the hearers and love them. May the Lord give many more prophets to Ambassador Baptist Church.