God has given the church individual gifts and qualifications called “grace gifts” (1 Cor. 12:4-11). One of these gifts is prophecy, which is the special ability to understand and interpret spiritual things and communicate them to others.
The prophetic gift is an extraordinary talent given by the Holy Spirit to help people with their spiritual problems.
This gift differs from others of the Holy Spirit in that it helps change larger society for God.
Jesus foretold that the gift of prophecy would be present in the church today. He provided us with a simple, easy-to-follow template for discerning a true prophetic voice from a false one.
Prophetic spiritual gift
The word “prophet” comes from the Greek “prophetes,” meaning “one who speaks for another.” A prophet speaks on behalf of God, telling others what God wants them to hear.
Believers receive the spiritual gift of prophecy, which allows them to receive direct revelation or insight from God. It’s a powerful ministry that anyone who has received this gift can utilize.
We sometimes refer to prophecy as “discerning spirits.” When you prophesy, you use your spiritual gift to discern whether something is from God or the enemy.
In human terms, discerning this can be very difficult because it’s not always obvious which spirit is involved in a situation or circumstance.
Are there prophets today?
The answer is a resounding yes. Prophets exist today. They are among us and fulfill the biblical role of prophet. These prophets are not limited to those ordained by churches or organizations.
Many people claim to be “prophets,” but when you ask questions about their ministry, it’s clear that they’re not legitimate.
However, there are legitimate prophets who have the gift of prophecy and are fulfilling their roles as prophesied in ancient times. God calls them. They speak His words to the world. They provide hope for those who need it most.
The Bible clearly states that prophets should be above reproach. They must not lie or deceive anyone with their words. They cannot use their position for personal gain. They must also be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ and the salvation of souls.
How can you tell if you have a spiritual gift?
There’s no one way, but here are some ways to discover yours:
Ask God about His will for your life.
Ask God to show you how and where He would like to use you.
Write down what you enjoy doing and what comes naturally to you. Ask God to reveal how He created you, and see if your talents and passions have any similarities.
Be willing to listen to God’s voice.
Read the Bible to see what God says about you. Ask yourself, “What am I good at?” Consider how your interests intersect with the world around you.
Spiritual gifts are like talents; they are God-given abilities that help us use our talents for His glory. Here are some signs of talent gifts:
- The first sign is having an unusual interest in something. When you’re around others who share your interests, they’ll recognize something special about you.
They’ll talk about how much they enjoy being with you because being around someone like you makes them feel good.
- Another sign of spiritual gifts is doing certain things better than others. People often tell you how great it is to work with you because everything always goes smoothly and nothing ever goes wrong.
A spiritual gift is a special ability given to you by God. You may have been born with it, or it may have developed over time through the guidance of God and His word.
God gave Christians spiritual gifts so they could serve others on their Christian journeys. The Bible tells us that we are all called to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).
Our gifts are meant to be used for others, not just ourselves.
How do I know if my gift is from God?
- Does your heart desire this gift?
- Do you believe it’s something you want or need?
- Can you earn this gift? If so, then it’s probably not from God. Genuine miracles cannot be earned through hard work or sacrifice. It must be an unearned blessing.
- Ask yourself if there’s anything wrong with receiving this gift. For example, will it cause you to compromise your standards? If so, Satan may be trying to lead you astray by tempting you with material things or opportunities that will distract you from serving God.
- Are there other believers who have experienced similar miracles, such as a financial windfall? If so, then God is providing for his people.
God’s gifts are always for your good and his glory. The devil can’t do anything for you that will truly benefit or make you happy.
Can anyone be a prophet?
Prophesying means speaking for God. It’s not just about having a message or a vision; it’s about declaring that the message comes from God. Not just anyone can do it.
There are at least two reasons why we should all be open to receiving prophetic words and visions from God:
1. We require it!
We need God’s words, wisdom, and guidance in our lives now more than ever. How can we hear His voice if we don’t listen to what He says through others?
Second, Because He wants us to!
Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).
This means that Jesus wants us to pay attention and listen carefully when he speaks through others, especially those who have been given the gift of prophecy.
If you feel you haven’t heard from God lately, it’s because you haven’t been listening carefully when others speak on his behalf.
How can you activate the gift of prophecy?
Sometimes, when a man is preaching, he gets an impression of what God wants him to say. This impression usually comes as an idea or phrase that the preacher thinks of during the sermon and repeats later.
Other times, a word or sentence pops into his head while he is preaching—not a thought of his own, but something that comes from God. These things are easy enough to relate to what we’ve been talking about so that people can understand where they are coming from.
It is a gift that God gives to those who are willing and available to receive it. You can’t learn or practice it, but it will come to you as you pray, read the Bible, and listen to God’s voice.
Many people have this gift of prophecy and don’t even know it because they don’t understand it. They just have an inner urge that tells them when God wants them to speak about something.
For example, when I pray for someone and feel compelled to ask a specific question, it’s a sign that God has given me the gift of prophecy.
What does it mean to walk in the prophetic?
They have completely surrendered to God, allowing Him to guide and direct their lives. They listen to God’s voice and follow wherever it leads. They also look for ways to help others using their gifts and talents.
In order to live a prophetic life, one must first be born again by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible says in John 3:3-7:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'”
Then Nicodemus asked Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you…” “Truly, I tell you, unless you are born from above, you will not see the kingdom of God.”
Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.”
Next, one must be baptized in water as a sign of their new life in Christ. Then, they must receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and help them discern God’s voice in their lives.
As we grow in faith, we must learn to listen for God’s voice and discern his will. We must also be willing to live out what He shows us in order to fulfill our destiny.
Why do some people have greater gifts than others?
Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. In this passage, he said that God gave some people leadership roles in the church, and these leaders were important because they helped build up the church.
However, he also said that each person should use their gifts to serve others.
Gifts are not something people are born with; they cannot be passed on genetically, like eye color or height. Rather, gifts come from God and are given to each person at different times and in different ways as they grow up.
Some people are more talented than others, but that doesn’t mean they have greater gifts. God has different purposes for each of us and uses our unique gifts to accomplish his will.
What is the purpose of a prophet?
God calls prophets to reveal his word to humanity. This revelation is meant to lead people back to God and bring them to salvation. It is also meant to guide us in our daily lives, helping us to live according to God’s will rather than our own selfish desires.
However, the calling of a prophet is not necessarily to solve the world’s problems. Prophets are there to remind us that God is in control and loves us, caring about every detail of our lives.
Not everyone who claims to be a prophet is actually called, but throughout history, many people have proven their authenticity.
Prophets are also called to warn people of impending judgment. This warning is not intended to scare people into submission; rather, it is a wake-up call that God’s love and mercy are not endless—sin must be repented for and atoned for.
Conclusion
Prophecy exists in many forms, and Christians should be cautious when discerning between true and false prophets.
If you believe that God has spoken to you through prophecy, share the message with someone who can confirm that it is genuine and comes from an all-knowing, loving God.
God has called on Christians to represent him by delivering prophetic messages.
Remember that while not everyone can be a prophet, everyone can hear God, and every believer has a spiritual gift.
