Prophecy is the ability to hear what God is saying and pass it on to others. It is a spiritual gift of very high importance in the church, and should be eagerly desired (v.1). It is not necessarily about foretellingthe future. Rather it is usuallyforth telling what God is saying in the current situation.
A prophetic word is a particular word, inspired by God, given to a particular person or persons, at a particular moment, for a particular purpose. It is a human, and sometimes partially mistaken, report of something that the Holy Spirit has brought to someone’s mind.
Prophecy needs to be tested: ‘Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said’ (v.29).
Is it in line with the Bible?
God is not going to contradict himself.
What is the character of the prophet?
Are they a person of love? (v.1).
What is the effect of the prophecy?
Paul writes, ‘Those who prophesy speak to people for their strengthening,encouragement and comfort’ (v.3). True prophetic words will always be positive in the sense that they willstrengthen, encourage andcomfort people.
On the whole, prophetic words are confirming what the Holy Spirit has already placed in our hearts. If you are unsure about a prophetic word, do not act hastily but do what Mary, the mother of Jesus, did – wait and ponder it in your heart.
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