Think of the Son sitting with the Father today, and imagine the conversation they are having about you. Christ sits at the right hand, the Father well pleased with Him and us. Just as He intercedes for us, and speaks redemption on our behalf, so the Spirit testifies of Christ’s finished work in our hearts, allowing for us to prophecy redemptive and edifying words over others.
Prophecy is a throne room conversation. Prophecy is not some excuse for misguided mud flinging. Prophecy is not my opportunity to correct what I deem inferior behaviour in someone. Prophecy is not dirt extraction, it is calling out true worth and value. Prophecy edifies, uplifts, brings life and forgiveness, covers and sustains.
Throughout the Old Testament, as God sent His prophets, He would initiate with words such as “tell them I alone am Holy,” and often He would remind them that they are His children, subsequently sending His prophet to His people with a message that He is God and has a heart’s desire longing for His children to draw close. It is the same today, prophecy’s goal is ultimately to reveal God. It was then, and is still a love
transaction from God’s heart to yours. Prophecy is Him tugging on your heart strings, initiating connection.
Under a new covenant, He reminds us to still pursue and desire the gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12: 31 we read, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way,” where we are reminded that Christ has provided a new and better way to operate. This is the end of chapter 12, which is then followed directly by the famous LOVE passage -“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” The new and better way is to love. We can prophecy, we can pray, we can heal, we can give, but it means nothing if we cannot love people. Love does not insist on having it’s own way. If I minister in love, I am essentially giving you what you need, not what I think you need. Love exceeds all.
1 Corinthians 14 is a passage commonly used to support sin centered prophecy, advocating for the exposing of hearts. Lets read it, “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” Did you notice the sinner on his face recognised God as the people prophesied. Again, God was revealed in prophecy. Prophecy ultimately displayed the reality of God among His people! Imagine speaking words that demonstrates a living God to the listeners. We point to God, we exhort to righteousness, we remind of holiness, we call up higher. We build up people, while we tear down only arguments. Hold each other up to the standard of the truth of Christ. He is love. You are loved. Speak as if you believe in the value Christ bought another for. Speak as if you believe.
How would bones come alive if life was not prophesied. How would Jesus rise from the dead if resurrection was not spoken before the foundation of the world. Do you believe? See the value in yourself. See the worth of others. Do not join the accuser in speaking lies over yourself and others. Speak what is true, speak Christ life. Speak only that which edifies and is full of grace.
