Giver and Gift

Many believers quiver with undefined expectations at the mention of this word—Prophecy!

Did you know that prophecy is the most mentioned spiritual gift among the others that we see recorded in the Scriptures? While the New Testament does not necessarily list the spiritual gift in order of importance, we usually find this gift near the top every time it is listed.

To understand this gift thoroughly, we need to start from its basic definition.

What is Christian prophecy?—a revelation from God, a direct one for that matter; a prediction about the future sometimes, a warning. This gift was active from the day of Pentecost—the day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, also called the birthday of the church. The Pentecost event was in itself the fulfillment of an ancient prophesy.

Joel 2: 28-29 says,

28 “And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

Joel’s prophecy was cited by Peter on the Day of Pentecost to explain what was taking place. Even Paul gives a lot of emphasis on prophecy. We read about it in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

In this article, we look at chapter 14: 1-5-

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.”

It is evident from these verses that he gives more weightage to prophecy. I love how he says—“eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit!” And then he goes on to say “especially prophecy”.

I have had many people prophesy over me right from my childhood days. Recently, one of the prophecies that was spoken over me when I was nine, and later when I was 12 and 13, by different men of God, came to pass. They said that I would, one day, become an author. I remember my father witnessed these prophecies being spoken over me and we often discussed this, “When is your book coming out?” “Have you started writing?” “What is your book going to be on?”—such were his questions.

Unfortunately, nothing really worked out when he was alive. It was only after his death that I became an author. And what was the book about? —my father’s biography. I wrote about that one person who kept on motivating me to live out the prophecy that was spoken about me. If only he was here to enjoy it with me. Nonetheless, witnessing this prophecy come to pass in my life reiterated the fact that GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS WORD.

Having said that, there are many prophecies spoken over me, Joel and us as a family that have not yet come to fruition—we look forward to all His plans for our lives to be fulfilled. Experiencing this prophecy come to pass after nearly 3 decades has filled us with so much faith and hope to hold on even when things seem against us; to know that God will bring all these things to come to pass in His perfect time.

There is a reason why the “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) is before the “prophecy chapter”. The gifts of the Holy Spirit must be practiced in love, because “Above all, Love!” is what the Word says.

Sadly, nowadays, many believers frown at prophecies. This is mainly because some people have experienced some prophets or so-called prophets misuse their spiritual gift.                          

It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22,

19″Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.”

What does contempt mean?— worthless, or beneath consideration. So, how do we discern between what is from God and what is not? There is no one solution for this. The Word tell us to “test them.” Testing means going to God about it and asking Him for divine counsel. Testing also sometimes means waiting and letting time tell you whether it was right or wrong. 

We, as a family, are thankful to be a part of a church in Singapore (Cornerstone Community Church) that believes in the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit. We like how they give importance to both. Our pastors here do not cherry-pick verses from the Bible but preach it in their entirety. This is what we need today—the Word of God in its entirety. I firmly believe that the Spirit and the fruit, both are highly required to make disciples. After all, that is our Great Commission.

Lately, I have been more intentional in asking the Lord to open up this gift and like Paul said, I have been eagerly desiring it as well. I believe that God gives us good gifts and at the right time.

But Paul also reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14: 39-40,

39 “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

“In a fitting and orderly way”—that is how it should be. I urge you to desire this gift and exercise it in a way that glorifies God. It is a free gift but one must desire it for the gift to be given to you. Not just desire, but ‘Eagerly desire’ it.