Contending to Operate in the Gifts of the Spirit
I. THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS THE INHERITANCE OF EVERY BELIEVER
7 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of
wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by
the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to
another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues. 11 the Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually…
(1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you (all) prophesied…that the church may receive
edification. 24 If all prophesy, and an unbeliever comes in…he is convicted by all. 26 Whenever you come
together, each of you has a psalm…has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. 31 For you can all
prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:5, 24, 26, 31)
17 It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 On My
menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; they shall prophesy. 19…before
the coming of the great…day of the LORD. (Acts 2:17-19)
17 These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new
tongues 18…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover…20 They went out and preached
everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word… (Mark 16:17-20)
A. Being used by the Spirit to touch others (evangelism and prophetic ministry) brings us adventure in God. It changes
our life as well as those we touch in the grace of God.
B. The Christian life is a cooperation with God’s grace. God will not do our part and we cannot do His part. If we do not
do our part then God withholds some of the help and blessing He would have given us. Our part includes being faithful to
be watchful in the Spirit as one essential way of cultivating the spirit of prophecy. God’s part is to give us prophetic
impressions and then to release supernatural power when we walk out those impressions with faith and obedience.
C. Some “trust” the sovereignty of God in a non-biblical way by “trusting” God to do the role that He has assigned to
us. This is not trusting God, but is negligence and presumption. Some misapply the truth that if God wants something that
He will do it. This is true in some of the broad strokes of how He leads history. However, there are many things in our lives
that God will not give us until we walk before Him with faith and obedience (2 Pet. 3:9). God has chosen to give us a
dynamic role in determining some of the measure of the “quality of life” that we experience in the natural and in the Spirit.
There are blessings that God has chosen to give, but only if His people rise up to ask for them (Isaiah 30:18-19;
Ezekiel 22:30; Matthew 17:21; James 4:2).
2 You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2)
II. WE MUST WELCOME AND HONOR THE HOLY SPIRIT: ASKING FOR HIS LEADERSHIP
A. We must be intentional about receiving the Spirit’s prophetic leading when we gather in large or small groups or in
social gatherings. We do this simply by asking the question, “What are you doing Lord?” Ask the Lord to give you
prophetic impressions. One simple phrase from the Spirit gives us a “hint” as to what the Lord might want to do. We need
to dial down or just take our foot off the gas pedal and listen (without stirring our souls up to fervor).
19 Jesus answered…, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He
does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)
B. Four ways in which we “see” what the Father is doing:
1. Prophetic whisper of God (impression) – this can happen ahead of time but the Spirit usually grants these in the
moment that we are ministering to people.
2. Physically sensations – the Spirit allows you to feel a physical sensation (fire, wind, etc.) or a physical pain
(sympathetic pain) that corresponds with how He will touch others.
3. Observing the Spirit’s hand resting on people or working in a circumstance – trembling body, deep breathing,
fluttering eye lids, quivering lips, face flushed, tears, etc.
4. Vision or dream beforehand that indicates what the Spirit is doing when we gather.
C. Jesus embraced significant limitations in His humanity as He walked by faith in relying on the Spirit to work miracles.
Jesus’ life is the model of operating by faith and reliance on the Spirit.
17 In all things He had to be made like His brethren…18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted,
He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18)
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points
tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
D. Isaiah described one aspect of how Jesus related to the Father during his earthly ministry. Jesus received the
tongue or the speech of one who learned from the Holy Spirit. In other words, Jesus received instruction from the Spirit on
a daily basis and did not refuse to walk out the instruction.
4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue (speech) of the learned (one under the Spirit’s instruction), that I
should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning (on a
daily basis), He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. 5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear (prophetic
whisper of God)… (Isaiah 50:4-5)
E. The spirit of Elijah operates with the prophetic whisper of God (still small voice).
11 The LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains…and after the wind an
earthquake…12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire (wind or earthquake);
and after the fire a still small voice. 13 When Elijah heard it…suddenly a voice came to him, and said,
"What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:11-13)
F. We seek to receive the prophetic whisper of God (Spirit’s impressions) in our heart. We must be faithful to act on
it by giving expression to it (yet within the boundaries of scriptural guidelines). The Kingdom operates on the “Genesis 1
principle.” First God’s word is spoken forth, then the Spirit releases His power in response to it.
2 The earth was without form, and void…and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. (Genesis 1:2-3)
G. I compare functioning in the prophetic to putting up the sail in a boat on a lake during a calm day. When it seems
there is no breeze, the sail catches even the most gentle breeze that just barely moves the boat. However, it does move!
A similar dynamic occurs when we ask the Lord what He is doing. We may not see a great move of the “boat,” but it will
often slightly move.
H. Watching includes both cultivating a spirit of prayer and paying attention to what the Spirit is doing. Being watchful
involves the simple act of asking and being attentive to what the Spirit is doing. This simple question creates the necessary
spiritual environment for God to move through us. The question postures us by opening “the gate of our heart” to receive
prophetic impressions. We engage in watching for the Spirit’s work in three different ways. First, in receiving the Spirit’s
impressions to minister to people. Second, to watch for signs of the times, international events, and developments. Third,
watching Holy Spirit’s impressions and promptings on our heart to walk in righteousness and avoid quenching the Spirit..
7 Be serious and watchful in your prayers… (1 Peter 4:7)
18 Praying always…being watchful to this end with all perseverance… (Ephesians 6:18)
I. Watching: asking and being attentive to what God is saying is an aspect of the hearing of faith.
2 Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:2)
J. We often do not have prophetic impressions simply because we do not ask for them.
2 You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2)
K. Ask the Lord what He would do if we gave Him room. God will give us impressions that communicate to us what He
is willing to do.
9 To be filled with the knowledge of His will in wisdom and spiritual understanding… (Colossians 1:9)
17 May give the spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Him (what’s on God’s heart). (Ephesians 1:17)
10 For the testimony of Jesus (what is on God’s heart) is the spirit of prophecy… (Revelation 19:10)
L. Do not feel pressure to come up with something. Neither fear experimenting. Use the phrase, “thus says the Lord,”
very sparingly.
III. MEASURING GOD’S PRESENCE: GRATEFUL AND FAITHFUL IN SMALL BEGINNINGS
10 For who has despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)
A. It is God’s power that works when even 10% of someone’s headache is genuinely healed. It is not the work of the
devil nor of human ability when any measure of healing suddenly comes. We must honor it as such and not despise it. We
are grateful for every good thing from God’s hand.
B. We declare what is not happening as we stir one another up to pursue a breakthrough in God’s power, yet we must
also declare what is happening so we are grateful, thus attentive and diligent in the present tense. We cry out for revival
because we see what we lack, but we give thanks because we see what we have. The tension is being grateful for and
faithful in the small measure of power that we walk in God while being desperate for a greater measure of manifest power.
C. We must be faithful and grateful for God’s presence in the “pre-revival small measure” of His manifest anointing.
The measure of God’s manifest presence will be significantly increased when God releases a season of revival, but we
can grow much before such revival seasons.
19 Repent…so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord… (Acts 3:19)
D. Analogy: on a scale of 1 to 10, in times of great revival, the measure of refreshing from God’s presence with
miracles and power may be somewhere between 7 to 10. Today, the Church is functioning at about level 1 or 2, but with
faithfulness and diligence we can see level 3-5 even in a pre-revival time. In other words, there is much increase to
receive now even before revival.
E. John G. Lake (had a dynamic healing ministry) faithfully functioned with a small measure of power in healing for years
while continually seeking the greater breakthrough of the Spirit.
F. Many of us must repent of despising the day of small beginnings and of being content with far too small a measure
of God’s power in our midst.
17 Because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. (Luke 19:17)
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much… (Luke 16:10)
21 You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. (Matthew 25:21)
G. We must be grateful and faithful in the days of small beginnings. We must be faithful in small things by giving
expression to the impressions the Lord gives us.
H. In our pride, we can easily despise the smallness of God’s power in our midst. Some are only interested in God’s
power when it is manifest as an unusual and dramatic measure. They will only be zealous to function in healing and the
prophetic spirit when there is a significant measure of release. In other words, they want to walk in the prophetic on their
terms. It takes humility to walk with God on His terms of being faithful and grateful in the days of smallness.
IV. WE MUST ACTIVELY DESIRE AND SEEK TO PROPHESY
31 Earnestly desire the best gifts. 14:1 Desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 39 Desire
earnestly to prophesy… (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1, 39)
A. We seek His face first, however then we must seek His hand or the manifestation of His power. God will give us
more revelation of His face and His hand, if we hunger for it.
B. We desire or seek the spiritual gifts by praying for them, making room for them and then by using them in the days
of small beginnings.
C. When we pray for people or events, our spirit becomes sensitized to receive more of God’s prophetic whispers
(impressions) for these people or events.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in
the spirit he speaks mysteries (prophetic whisper of God). (1 Corinthians 14:2)
D. We must not harden our heart to God’s still small voice.
7 The Spirit says, "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your heart…” (Hebrews 3:7-8)
E. Since praying for people or events sensitizes our spirit, we do it with confidence so as to posture ourselves to
receive God’s prophetic whispers. In this way, we are intentional about doing our part to receive the Spirit’s prophetic
leading in our worship gatherings classes, baptisms, small groups (home groups, bible studies, etc.), fellowship and social
times, at the business meeting, in the market place, on phone calls, at the mall, during home schooling or at your children’s
soccer game, etc.
26 Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation,
has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. (1 Corinthians 14:26)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
1. For example, if we ask the Lord how to serve someone, then we will receive prophetic impressions on practical
ways to walk this out. Fasting and praying in the Spirit increases our capacity to receive prophetic impressions (mysteries)
about people and events.
2. For example, our worship teams should ask the Spirit 5-10 times what He is doing in preparation before they lead
a worship meeting. The worship teams should pray this in the briefing and then ask the question another 5-10 times during
the worship time.
F. One way we prepare the way of the Lord is by taking the time to ask what the Lord is doing (putting up our sail) so
as to receive prophetic impressions, then taking the risk to express them.
2 I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. 3 The voice of one crying:
“Prepare the way of the LORD…" (Mark 1:2-3)
V. SOME COMMON ABUSES OF SIMPLE PROPHESYING
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. (1 Corinthians 14:3)
A. There is a significant distinction between simple prophecy and the office of a prophet. Simple prophecy is limited to
edification, exhortation and comfort, whereas, the office of a prophet may make corrections and establish directions for a
ministry or nation. Everyone can function in simple prophecy. To function in the office of a prophet, one must have a
proven history of giving specific future dates and events that come to pass on a regular basis.
B. Simple prophecy is to enrich peoples spiritual life, not to give them direction or correction in the domestic areas of
their lives.
C. Edification speaks of spiritually building or edifying someone’s spirit by confirming their destiny or God’s purpose
for their life (Anna intercessor, prophetic singer, forerunner, school teacher, marketplace, or their focus to heal the sick,
or feeding the poor, etc.).
1. The most common way to edify through simple prophecy is to give a Scripture that has been previously important
to them. It may also include telling them how God will touch their heart or grant a breakthrough in a specific area. It may
simply declare that God is with them or it may confirm a secret in their heart (specific details that only they know, i.e.,
event, dream, experience, something God previously told them, etc.). It may speak of a breakthrough for their families
(salvation and healing to their household, etc.).
2. Edification provides confirmation (assurance, hope) to help us stay focused and faithful. Common ways to do this
include giving people a Scripture that touches them.
D. Exhortation includes calling people to persevere and not give up on their promises in God in hard times and to
not to give in to sin. We exhort people to persevere in their calling and in righteousness, telling them that it is worth it.
E. Comfort speaks of giving God’s perspective in a great disappointment or set back in their life by giving God’s
perspective in telling people that God has a plan in their pressure.
F. Examples of personal direction in domestic areas of their life to avoid in prophesying include: issues related to who
to marry, having babies, changing jobs, moving, buying or selling (house, car, etc.), traveling (which ministry trips to go
on), joining a ministry, going to college (Bible school, internships). We can give godly counsel to one another in domestic
areas without presenting it as a prophecy. We prophesy in the light with witnesses (recording it when possible). Beware of
people who claim to be prophetic and want to go somewhere private to prophesy to you. They commonly use flattery to
gain someone’s confidence in order to get their money or influence, or to control them or to establish a soul tie them that
usually ends up with sexual overtones.