I became momentarily angry on a recent morning when I read a headline on a piece of "junk" email that came to me. The headline read, "5 Signs You'll Get Cancer." I say "junk email" because that is how I felt about it. Yet it was on an otherwise very credible email list I'd subscribe to.
After settling down, I refused to read even another word. I don't appreciate headlines that put fear into people and I'm certain some people will read that headline and then rush to read all the signs that PROVE they'll get cancer. However well-intentioned this "health email" was, from my perspective, the possibility to cause fear with that headline, and that story far outweighed any solution they might have to offer.
Why am I telling you this?
Because, this is an example of what NOT to do, when sharing communication from the Holy Spirit...and
because what this headline did to the reader (in this case myself),
causing fear, frustration and more – is the very opposite of what
today's prophet (or prophetically gifted person) – inspired and
empowered by the Holy Spirit – will be seen doing!The Scriptures in the New Testament clearly say that in 1 Corinthians 14:3: "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them."
I know that many of you, just as I have, have encountered a prophetic word that has sent confusion, fear, embarrassment or shame – coursing through your mind, spirit and your soul. The likelihood is NEARLY 100% that this prophetic word, or your understanding of it, was not from the Lord at all. If you've received such a word, take it to the Lord. It is likely the Lord will tell you, "That wasn't Me saying that Word to you!"
Godly revelation has certain attributes – James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy."
The revelatory gifts include, but are not limited to – a "word of wisdom" (1 Corinthians 12:8), a "word of knowledge" (1 Corinthians 12:8), and a "word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19). Any of the revelatory gifts, just like the gift or use of wisdom as in the above passages (James 3:17), is meant to edify, build up, encourage, be peaceable, be gentle, full of mercy, and so on... Except for very emergency situations, New Testament/New Covenant prophets will be seeking to bring comfort to you.
Can
you imagine a prophet or prophetically gifted person coming to your
church, calling someone out of the congregations and saying, "I'm going
to prove to you that you have cancer and here are the 5 signs in your
body that you're experience so you'll know that I'm right that you have
cancer!" No, of course not. That "prophet" would last five minutes in
your church before he was thrown out on his ear. Most people reading
this would intuitively know that God just wouldn't do that through a
prophet TO ONE OF HIS KIDS!
What? I Am Allowed to Covet Prophesying?
Once you realize that prophesying to others is about edifying and
building them up, you're going to want to prophesy yourself, am I right?
Remember this Scripture:1 Corinthians 14:3 "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them."
When I first looked into the way the King James Version translated this approach to prophecy, I was both surprised, delighted, and I couldn't wait to share it with others... Here it is:
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order."
Now, it's important to remember that just before "covet to prophesy" the Apostle Paul, in the same passage, has just told the reader in 1 Corinthians 14:3 "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them."
Taken together, the reason you are not only allowed to covet but ENCOURAGED TO COVET PROPHESYING TO OTHERS, it that it is a gift that encouraged, strengthens, and comforts the hearer.
What Does Covet Prophesying Do For Me?
Under the Old Covenant (Old Testament) we are told not to Covet "Your
neighbor's wife, his cattle...OR ANYTHING THAT IS YOUR NEIGHBOR'S." 
But
under the New Covenant (New Testament) there is one thing specifically
mentioned that it is JUST FINE to Covet and that is Prophesying. When
you see someone building up others, encouraging them in their walk, and
you say to yourself, "Man, I'd LOVE to have that gift. I truly WANT the
same thing he has (or she has) of prophesying to others. I just covet
that gift." I'm telling you (today's reader) that the Bible itself is
telling you (my paraphrase) "this is OK to Covet...this is one thing you
SHOULD COVET." Another version describes it as in 1 Corinthians 14:1, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy."In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14, if we are told in several ways to Covet, to earnestly desire or eagerly desire the gift of prophecy, the purpose of that instruction from the Lord becomes obvious. Why would God tell you to Covet or earnestly desire that which you could not have? He wouldn't!
This means the very thing you COVET and EARNESTLY DESIRE, if that thing is PROPHESYING, then that is a GIFT openly available to you and you should begin to practice hearing the Lord for yourself and for others.
To learn to prophesy is a gift that grows over the LIFETIME of a Believer, but it you start today and you begin to practice that gift under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, then that is one gift you can already say, "I HAVE THAT GIFT! I desired it EARNESTLY because God told us to desire it earnestly, and now I'm already beginning to learn to encourage and build up many in the Body of Christ through the gift of prophesying to others!"
Blessings,
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com
Email: info@elijahlist.net
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com
Email: info@elijahlist.net
2 comments:
Well Art katz the difference between the simple gift of prophecy and the prophet. john baverescripturallydefines exhortation and the book of cor states when honoured in text. the sins of an inquirer or and unbeliever may be revealed in 1 cor 1 14 and then also . It might be appropriate before Jesus comes to warn leaders about not ever allowing or attempting a 1 cor 1:14and remind them 5 ministries where to equip and mature the saints and by dissalowing biblical training services in which God may move thru His people. It is written they where not to grieve vex or quench the Holy Spirit but let God move as God in His own house realizing God has given each a gift severally as he wills. Church wasn't meant to be a social spectater sport
When covet to prophecy comes up instruction as to is always a great idea.In the bible the law is used if used lawfully and there are guidelines when taking the whole council of Gods Word. Quote art katz in His message the disciplene of Godly Speech. Art brings up a good mention. To be so locked into one truth biblically that one can’t comprehend another when God wants to move may be to ultimatly go against the way God would choose to move because of that truth.So lets use youngs literal translation. Lay hands speedily on no man lest ye share in his sin. Laying on of hands, or trying to do mighty works because of our perception in His name apart from His direction not asking if God is the source of sickness death(communion ) or tribulation(rev) and thereby taking authority in His name and remiting what He has done. as cor states he may be judging someone.Also job is in the new testament the greek Word for chastening studied to the last two root words suggests God also might train in this way.As to cor 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 2nd the law is good if used lawfully As to training despise not chastening my son hence take the prophets of old and job as an example. The greek Word paideia-1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment) From παιδεύω (G3811) -1) to train childrena) to be instructed or taught or learn b) to cause one to learn 2) to chastise a) to chastise or castigate with words, to correct1) of those who are moulding the character of others by reproof and admonition b) of God1) to chasten by the affliction of evils and calamities c) to chastise with blows, to scourge1) of a father punishing his son 2) of a judge ordering one to be scourgedLuke 12:46-48-shall be beaten-g1194-1) to flay, skin2) to beat, thrash, smite rev 2 g2347-1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits From θλίβω (G2346) 1) to press (as grapes), press hard upon2) a compressed way a) narrow straitened, contracted3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress Akin to the base of τρίβος (G5147) a worn way, a path From tribo (to "rub", akin to teiro, truo, and the base of τράγος (G5131)-male goat, τραῦμα (G5134)) -a wound. That being also I have record of this happening to a national speaker. Well if one comes before the Lord with an idol in His heart God has been known to let the inquirer in the old testament hear what their heart wants and judge the prophet
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