How can we use prophecy to "strengthen, encourage, and comfort" others today? The Heart of Prophecy Today 1 Corinthians 14:3: “But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.” God designed prophecy to build up His people. When the Spirit prompts a timely, biblically faithful word, the result mirrors the heart of Christ—people become stronger, braver, and more settled in the Lord. What Prophecy Is—and Isn’t - A Spirit-given message that aligns with Scripture and applies it to a present need. - Spoken in normal human language; not new canonical revelation. - Never contradicts the written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). - Aimed at blessing others, not elevating the speaker (1 Peter 4:10). - Tested by mature believers and held up to Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). Strengthening the Church Prophetic words “edify” or strengthen—literally, “build a house.” They do this by: - Re-anchoring hearts in unchanging truth (Romans 15:4). - Re-minding believers of their identity in Christ and their spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). - Re-focusing the body on mission and perseverance (Hebrews 10:24-25). - Real-life example: Acts 15:32—“Both Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers”. Encouraging Weary Hearts Encouragement stirs fresh courage when fatigue sets in. Prophecy accomplishes this by: - Highlighting God’s promises in a personal, timely way (Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10). - Pointing out progress others may not see in themselves (Philippians 1:6). - Releasing hope during trials, assuring that God is actively working (Romans 8:28). - Prompting concrete next steps that keep faith active (James 2:17). Comforting the Hurting Comfort addresses sorrow, loss, or fear with the tenderness of God: - Reminding the broken of God’s nearness and compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). - Bringing specific Scriptures that speak into grief (Psalm 34:18; Revelation 21:4). - Communicating that the Lord sees and understands (Genesis 16:13). - Redirecting focus to eternal hope, soothing temporal pain (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Practical Steps for Speaking Prophetic Words - Saturate yourself in Scripture daily; prophecy flows from a heart full of the Word. - Pray for love-filled insight before you speak (1 Corinthians 13:1-2). - Listen carefully—to God and to the person. - Share simply, humbly, and clearly. - Use language such as “I sense the Lord may be saying…” to leave room for testing. - Let the church family weigh the word; allow feedback. Safeguards: Testing and Accountability - Measure every word against the Bible—God never contradicts Himself. - Submit prophetic impressions to church leadership (Hebrews 13:17). - Observe the fruit: genuine prophecy produces peace, holiness, and unity (Galatians 5:22-23). - Refuse manipulation, personal agendas, or attention-seeking (3 John 9-10). - Hold fast to what is good; release what proves inaccurate (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Living It Out Together When believers faithfully steward prophetic insight, the church becomes a refuge of spiritual strength, contagious courage, and deep comfort. Grounded in the unchanging Scriptures and guided by the Holy Spirit, we speak life into one another—until the day we see the Lord face to face. |
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