Wise Use of Spiritual Gifts
Spirit of Prophecy is the Spirit of Jesus is the Spirit of Truth! Revelations 19:10: “ And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Testimony is defined as evidence given judicially or generally; a record, report or witness of Jesus, our Lord. Spirit is defined as a current of air, a breath ( blast ) or a breeze . By analogy or figuratively a spirit can be (human) the rational soul; (by implication) a vital principle or a mental disposition, etc.; or (superhuman) an angel or a demon; or (divine) like God, Christ's spirit or the Holy Spirit .
John 15:26: “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me.”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Jesus says of Himself : “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) Acts 16:7: When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia , but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
Philippines 1:19: Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
The Spirit of Prophecy is the Spirit of Jesus, is the Spirit of Truth! It comes each time two or more gather in His name.
The spirit and gift of prophecy and the office of a prophet
The spirit of prophecy is the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of Truth and the prophetic all stimulating a person's life. This happens with the Holy Spirit's obvious attendance. It is usually felt physically or emotionally and has dynamic influences on the beliefs, thoughts and emotions of an individual. This spirit is open to any and all believers.
See 1 Corinthians 14 1- 4: Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
The spirit of prophecy operated in 1 Samuel 10:9-13: So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samue,l that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. And it happened, when all who knew him formerly saw that he indeed prophesied among the prophets, that the people said to one another, “What is this that has come upon the son of Kish ? Is Saul also among the prophets?” Then a man from there answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” And when he had finished prophesying, he went to the high place. I open our services by inviting the Holy Spirit to come, fill us, cover us and lead us into all truth. He is not denied access to His people and will come along side to care for us. That might be uncomfortable. We have a high number of folks who show up here on Sunday and respond to the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit is active in someone's life, there are some attributes that are uncontainable and uncontrollable and should not be quenched.
Prophecy is one of the many gifts of God given to His children.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11: There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. The office of prophet is the governing post in the church and the chief trainer in this attribute of the works of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-13 ">: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 1 Corinthians12:27: Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
There can be training in the prophetic and prophecy, which comes from the office of a prophet. One might have the “gift” of prophecy and all believers can prophecy in the presence of the Spirit of Jesus.
But let's take a short look at the problem of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14 23-28: Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 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. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Prayer Language Read 1Corinthians 14 , which begins: Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth. If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him. But when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you're letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.
Ezekiel 13: And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord !'” Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord . They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord !' But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The Lord says,' but I have not spoken.”
Build the wall, fill in the gap? Prophetic people will.
Ezekiel 22:30: ">“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” Nehemiah 6:1: ">When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates … Isaiah 58:12: Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 61:4: They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Psalm 106:23: Therefore He said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, To turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.
How does one keep pure in their prophesying?
Psalm 51:10-12: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Ephesians 5:26: …that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word … . Titus 3:5: … not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit …. Romans 12:1&2: ( NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Give yourself physically to God as an offering = BODY Do not allow yourself mirror the worlds attitudes = WILL Be changed by the word of God taken into your mind = MIND Then experience the good, pleasing ways of God = EMOTION |