Contending for the Spirit of Prophecy
I. GOD WANTS ALL HIS PEOPLE TO PROPHESY
A. Under the old covenant, before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the office of the prophet and the gift of prophecy were
reserved for a small group of individuals that God would rest upon from time to time and for very specific purposes. The gift of prophecy
was governed strictly, under penalty of death for false prophecy. However, as early as the days of Moses, a day was anticipated when God
would pour out His Spirit on all His people with the result that all God’s people would prophesy.
Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them! (Num.11:29)
B. Under the new covenant, God answered Moses’ prayer, promising that He would pour out his Spirit on all flesh, with the result that
prophecy would be widespread, encompassing both male and female, young and old. No one was to be left out.
And 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 daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams, and on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out my
Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17-18)
C. In its broadest sense, Joel is declaring that God’s people will all operate in a prophetic spirit. In its broadest sense, the spirit of
prophecy is not limited simply to the gift of simple prophecy nor even to the office of the prophet. The spirit of prophecy is, the church
operating under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, exalting Jesus in everything she does.
For the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev.19:10)
D. Paul teaches that the manifestation of the Spirit (including the gift of prophecy) is for everyone and not simply for a spiritually elite
class of Christians.
7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all (1 Cor.12:7)
E. It was Paul’s expectation that believers (regardless of their spiritual maturity) both understood and operated in the Gifts of the Spirit.
To Paul it was not optional to function in the gifts of the Spirit but normal and essential for the health of the church that everyone was
functioning in his or her gift(s).
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant (1 Cor.12:1)
F. Paul exhorts the Church at Corinth to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy even though the Corinthian believers were immature in
their faith, unspiritual in their lives, and divisive and destructive in their use of the spiritual gifts. It was their wrong understanding of the gifts
that was creating many problems in the midst of that Church. Yet, it is the Corinthians that Paul exhorts more than any other group to
pursue right understanding and use of the gift of prophecy.
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (1 Cor.14:1)
G. Paul explains that his instructions concerning spiritual gifts are actually commandments from the Lord.
37If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of
the Lord. (1 Cor.14:37)
H. Why is it important for us to prophesy?
The function of the gifts of the spirit within the body is to prepare and equip us for works of service both corporately and individually. Paul
tells us that the gift of prophecy is especially important for the edification (building up) and equipping of the church.
3But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who
prophesies edifies the church. (1 Cor.14:3-4)
I. There are many different ways in which a believer may receive and begin to operate in the gift of prophecy. You do not need to be
commissioned from Heaven in a dramatic way like the OT prophets of old.
J. Gifts are received not earned but Paul indicates that we can position ourselves to receive as we “eagerly desire” the gift of prophecy
(1 Cor.14:1,39). The pattern of Scripture is that the primary way of receiving fresh gifts is as we stay full of the Holy Spirit (see.e.g Acts 4:
31, Acts 2:4;Acts 10:44-46). The primary way we receive more of the Spirit is as we give ourselves to the place of prayer and consecration
to the Lord. Paul also tells us that gifts may be imparted through the laying on of hands and through prophecy (cf.Rom.1:11; 1 Tim.4:14; 2
Tim.1:6)
K. We do not need spiritual maturity (or maturity in years) before we can operate in gifts (and should not forbid the use of them in
those who are spiritually immature cf. 1 Cor 14:39)
1. Paul’s letter to Corinth was to a group of spiritually immature believers yet he thanked God for the manifestation of the gifts in their
midst and encouraged them to press in for more (1 Cor.3:1-3; 1 Cor.14:39)
2. Timothy was a young man and Paul encouraged him to activate the gifts that God had given him and not let anyone look down on
him because he was young ( 2 Tim.1:6-7; 1 Tim.4:12)
3. Peter emphasizes that gifts of healings and miracles are not operating because of his spiritual maturity or godliness but because of
the power of the Holy Spirit in Him.
"Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man
walk (Acts 3:11-12)
L. If prophecy is for everyone who is filled with the Spirit, why is prophecy not more widespread?
1. Often it is fear of misuse and abuse that has caused neglect of the gift of prophecy.
2. It is often feared that use of the prophetic will cause hurt, division and chaos and they are, therefore, often set aside for the sake of
unity in the Body. However, without them, we cannot function as God intends us to as the Body of Christ. The primary goal of the prophecy
is stated by Paul to be for the profit of all (1 Cor.12:7), and for the edification of the church (1 Cor.14:12). We cannot allow fear of abuse
to stop us contending for right use of these gifts in the Church.
3. Paul’s response to abuse of the gifts at Corinth, however, was not to forbid the use of the gifts that were causing most trouble (see.
1 Cor.14:3), but to explain how they were to be used properly.
II. UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT GIFT OF PROPHECY
A. A working definition of prophecy:
Prophecy is a supernatural ability to communicate of a revelation of God's Heart for an individual, group or circumstance that results in the
edification (building up) of the body of Christ and the worship of Jesus.
B. True prophecy can be tested by whether it ultimately results in the edification, exhortation and comfort of the believer, flowing out in
the worship of Jesus. Prophecy is designed to help us see and marvel at the beauty and wisdom of Jesus and make sense of his ways in
the world and in our lives.
C. The gift of prophecy is given to exalt Jesus in the life of the church (making her more like Jesus) and in the world (drawing people to
the knowledge of Christ). The goal of the Holy Spirit as he manifests His gifts in us, is to draw greater attention, not to the individual but to
Christ who is shown forth as the body functions as one unit.
14He (Holy Spirit) will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I
said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. (John 14:14-15)
For the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev.19:10)
III. THREE LEVELS OF PROPHETIC MINISTRY
A. Simple Prophecy: any believer who speaks something God has brought to mind. We all are to earnestly seek to prophesy (1
Corinthians 14:1, 39). All men and women, old and young alike are to speak forth words from God (Acts 2:17). Yet, “not all are prophets”
(1 Corinthians 12:29)
3 he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men (1 Cor.14:3)
1. These are often simple impressions that God brings to mind. These include words of knowledge (i.e. specific information regarding
the physical/spiritual/emotional status of someone). Occasionally, this includes receiving “visions’ (mental pictures) or dreams.
2. They speak (mostly using their own words) an idea that God had brought to mind. These words are given in a small group setting
or in the ministry line (not publicly on the mic)
B. Prophetic gifting and ministry: Believers whose gifting has been recognized for regular ministry in the local church. They will receive
words and dreams on a regular basis and will have “open visions” on occasion (i.e. angelic visitations, audible voice etc.). They will
sometimes receive detailed information such as names, faces, dates, and future events. They occasionally operate in other sign gifts
(healing, miracles, deliverance, etc.). These people are “gifted” in that they receive an unusual amount of revelation, but are still being
trained (have maturity of character and wisdom of God’s corporate purposes). They may receive words of correction and direction that
they should write and submit to leadership.
C. Office of the Prophet: believers whose ministry is like the prophets of the Old Testament. They give correction, direction and bring
new emphases in the Church body. They minister in signs and wonders and regularly prophesy with great accuracy (Samuel, Elijah, etc.).
They provide direction and correction to those in government in the church, marketplace or political arenas.
1. They predict future events with accuracy. They have a regular flow of divine revelation including open visions, predictions of natural
events (i.e. weather patterns, political developments, etc.). Their words may be confirmed through natural signs (i.e. earthquakes, storms,
droughts…). Their words carry authority as they speak with much great accuracy. They minister frequently in sign gifts. They must have
a proven ministry (that may take years). All who exercise prophetic authority must be under authority.
2. Some have experiences which indicate that they have been sovereignly chosen by God (miraculous birth, angelic visitation, etc.).
The stature necessary for the office of the prophet includes gifts (accurate revelation); fruit or mature character and wisdom
(understanding of God’s corporate purpose and ways)
D. There is a significant distinction between simple prophecy and the office of the prophet. Simple prophecy is limited to edification,
exhortation and comfort, whereas, the office of the prophet may make corrections and establish directions for a ministry or nation.
Everyone can function in simple prophecy. Only a few function in the office of a prophet. To be recognized as being in the office of a
prophet, one must have a proven history of giving specific future dates events that come to pass on a regular basis.
E. Simple prophecy is to enrich people’s spiritual life, not give them direction or correction in the domestic areas of their lives.
F. Each believer that prophesies regardless of the level of gifting is valuable in building up the body of Christ, which is a high honor
and privilege.
IV. THE ANATOMY OF A PROPHETIC WORD (THREE PARTS)
There are three parts to every prophetic word: Revelation (what is said), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what to do about
it). The effectiveness of prophecy depends upon the right understanding of all three parts. We can have true revelation and wrong
interpretation or application. All three are necessary if the word is to benefit someone. (e.g. the disciples and Agabus in Acts 21). An
accurate diagnosis alone doesn’t cure anyone.
V. REVELATION (WHAT IS SAID)
A. The starting point of the prophetic is receiving revelation from God. Some believers get tripped up at this point because they do not
believe God speaks today and, even if He does speak, He doesn’t speak to them.
1. Hearing the voice of God is the privilege of every believer.
27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:27)
I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you (John 15:15)
2. The wisdom of God is accessible to all believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor.2:10-16).The Spirit of God takes from God
and communicates the wisdom of God to our hearts as our teacher. This is exactly what Jesus promised. Because the Spirit of God lives in
us, we have the mind of Christ unlike the unbeliever (1 Cor. 2:9-16).
B. For whatever reason, God has chosen to vary the clarity, intensity and means of His revelation. This can make it difficult to
ascertain when God is actually speaking to us. If we want to grow in the prophetic we must cultivate a hearing ear and become familiar with
the ways in which God speaks to us personally.
C. Scripture is the primary means through which we hear the voice of the Lord. It is also the rule by which we judge all other “words” we
believe to come from the Lord.
D. If we want to be prophetic people, it is imperative that we cultivate deep love for and familiarity with the word of God above all else.
There are limitless applications of the written (logos) Word of God to every time and situation of life. Scripture also teaches us about the
many other ways that God may speak to His people.
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim.16-17)
E. While Scripture is the primary means through which God speaks to his people, there are many other ways:
1. Through Nature (Psalm 19:1-4; Rom.1:20)
2. Through Life Circumstances and Experience (Acts 10:45-46; Hagg.1:5-6)
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world – CS
Lewis
3. Dreams and Visions
Dreams and visions were common ways for God to speak throughout the OT (e.g. Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, Zechariah etc.), they
are the inheritance of all believers under the New Covenant and one of the primary ways in which we should expect God to speak to His
church today (Acts 2:17).
4. Angelic Visitations (Dan.9:22; Luke 1:11,26; 2:9-15; 24:5-6; Acts 1:10-11;8:26; 10:3ff; 27:23-26)
Visiting angels seem to have been so common in the early church that when Peter was released from prison, and visited the church that
was praying for his release, they initially assumed he was an angel (see Acts 12:15)
5. Audible Voice (Deut 4:33; 1 Sam 3:4-14; Matt.3:17; Matt 17:5; John 12:27-33; Acts 9:1-9)
Very occasionally God will speak audibly from heaven. This is an external audible voice that is heard with your ears. This is not the
predominant way in which God communicates to us, and when he does so, it is because the message is extremely important and, often, the
task extremely difficult. The Lord uses to make it absolutely clear what He is saying.
6. Impressions
a. The most common way in which we learn to hear God’s voice and dialogue with the Holy Spirit is through impressions that the Holy
Spirit brings to our mind as we commune with Him. There are several basic keys to becoming familiar with God’s voice.
b. The Lord usually speaks to our hearts through a series of spontaneous thoughts, feelings, visions or impressions. As we wait before
the Lord, we learn to hear God’s voice as we pay attention to the spontaneous thoughts and ideas that come to mind. The voice of the
Lord usually comes as a “sense” rather than an internal audible voice.
c. Often our own thoughts and emotions are so noisy that we cannot sense what God is saying. We need to still our own soul (Psalm
131:2) in order to begin to sense what is on the Lord’s heart. One of the most effective ways of doing this is through worship and
meditating on a verse of Scripture (also praying in the Spirit) as we lift our focus from ourselves to God. It is important that we are focused
on the Lord and not on ourselves. If we are focused on our own emotions this is where the thoughts will originate.
d. Write down what you sense the Lord saying. As you journal/write down the things that you are sensing/your dialogue with the Lord,
you will discover new confidence in hearing the voice of God.
VI. INTERPRETATION (WHAT DOES IT MEAN?)
A. On occasion, God may simply want us to deliver the piece of information we have received, however, usually he reveals the piece of
information because he wants to convey a message to an individual or a group of people. It is important that we maintain dialogue with the
Holy Spirit in the process of receiving a prophetic word. Ask questions about what you have heard and expect to receive answers
B. When the Lord reveals a piece of hidden information to us, it is important that we ask Him what it means. If we do not get the correct
interpretation of the message, it may cause more harm than good. For example, if the Lord reveals an issue of pain or sin in someone’s life
it is probably because God wants to set them free rather than expose the secrets of their heart before the whole world.
VII. APPLICATION (WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT?)
A. Simply because God reveals something to us does not automatically follow mean that we have to communicate anything at all.
Often, God will reveal something to us so that we can pray for the will of the Lord to be done in a particular situation. There are a series of
questions that we need to ask the Lord before delivering a prophetic word:
1. Who is this word for? (Me, individual or a group)
2. How should I communicate this word? (If at all)
3. When should I communicate this word? (God may give us a word many months or years before it is appropriate to
communicate it)
B. Our accuracy in the prophetic will increase as we grow in our ability to interpret and apply the revelation He gives us, bearing in
mind that: God speaks accurately, man hears inaccurately (we usually perceive revelation with mixture), and man prophesies in part.
C. We are called to weigh prophetic words as we test everything, yet holding fast to what is good without despising prophecy (1 Cor.
14:29; 1 Thess. 5:20-21).
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. (1 Cor. 14:29)
20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thess. 5:20-21)
1. Test the word by the Bible (a prophetic word will never contradict the Word of God)
2. Test the word by what you know of the Character of God (God’s word will bring hope, not despair)
VIII. HOW DO I BEGIN TO GROW IN MY PROPHETIC GIFTING?
A. Fill Yourself with the Word of God
B. Cultivate a Spirit filled life
1. Corporate and Individual Prayer - (Luke 18:1-8; Luke 11:13; Acts 4:31)
Praying “in the Spirit” is particularly highlighted by the Scripture as a means to access a greater measure of the Holy Spirit in our lives (1
Cor.12:4-5; 1 Cor.14-18; Eph.5:18-19;Jude 20).
2. Fasting
Jesus taught that fasting tenderizes and sensitizes the human heart to freely receive more of God and experience more of Him through the
Holy Spirit (Matt.9:15-17).
C. Begin to practice on a regular basis
6Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of
fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim.1:6)
1. Step out in faith with the little you have (do not despise the day of small beginnings)
a. When God gives us a gift, we must have confidence that He also gives us the ability to begin to exercise that gift. Paul says that God
has given us each an initial measure of faith (Rom. 12:3-6). As we begin to step out with what He has given us, he will give us more.
11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all
things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever (1 Pet.4:11)
b. When Jesus fed the 5000 (Mark.9:36-44), he gave the disciples just five loaves and two fish to step out with. As they stepped out in
faith, God multiplied the bread and fish in their hands as they distributed it. If we wait for God to give us the full measure before we begin to
use our gifts, we will be waiting forever.
2. The best place to try out prophecy is not on platform but in a small group context with like-minded friends.
3. Do not neglect your gift (1 Tim.4:14; 2 Tim.1:6).
Paul reminded Timothy that he has received a gift; and that the effectiveness of that gift will diminish if it is neglected (not used). Paul’s
encouragement to Timothy teaches us that it is possible to possess the gifts of the Spirit yet allow them to lie dormant and inactive.
D. Cultivate a life of Love
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor.14:1)
1. The context for Paul’s famous chapter on love is the right use of spiritual gifts. He tells the Corinthian believers that unless they grow
in love, possessing the gifts is meaningless.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and …..have not love, it profits me nothing (1 Cor.13:2-3)
2. Love is identified by Paul in Gal.5:22 as the Fruit of the Spirit. He is saying, you must have the fruit if you are asking for the gifts. We
should desire gifts but we must pursue love. Love is also the protection mechanism to save us from falling into pride, deception and,
ultimately, apostasy (Matt.7:22-23).
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if
anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. (1 Cor.8:1-3)
3. An important way in which we can demonstrate love in a ministry context is by adopting a ministry style that exalts Jesus rather than
the individual.
IX. PROPHETIC “ETIQUETTE” (DO’S AND DON’TS)
A. Rules for delivering prophetic words
1. Observe the golden rule (Luke 6:31) “do unto others etc.” Prophetic ministry is about the person you are ministering to not proving
how great a minister you are.
2. Minister in kindness, tenderness and humility; pray for your hearer
3. Always be careful to indicate the level of certainty of your message. Be careful when saying “thus says the Lord.” It leaves the
person no room to disagree. Personal prophecy (NT) is subject to the weighing of elders and not 100% God.
4. Prophetic words are always subject to the authority of scripture. Ask the Lord to give you scripture for your hearer.
5. Prophetic words should not be used to blindly direct lives. Tell your hearer to submit words to prayer and counsel before following
them. Prophetic words generally confirm what you are already feeling rather than give brand new direction (be VERY slow to give directive
words – especially mates, dates and babies).
6. Don’t start in the spirit and end in the flesh. Don’t “play” for an emotional response – you don’t know what is going on inside the
heart. Deliver the message, pray and be done. Avoid emotional hype.
7. Don’t make spectacular accuracy the focus – make edification, exhortation and comfort the focus. The accuracy will grow as you
become more familiar with hearing God’s voice and stepping out in faith.
8. Don’t embellish the word (temptation if it is a really general word). Know when to start and when to stop.
B. Avoiding Prophetic Weirdness
1. Be as normal and unreligious as possible if you want to be received.
2. Do not let your behavior be a stumbling block.
3. Emphasize the main and plain not the rare and bizarre.
4. Don’t do anything strange without a clear leading from the Lord
5. Don’t do anything that is potentially harmful or embarrassing to the individual you are ministering to without his or her
permission
6. Remember that Paul emphasized that spiritual gifts be exercised “decently and in order”(1 Cor.14:40) within the corporate
context.