Prophetically Speaking
Ever wondered what prophecy was? Who was a prophet, who gives words of prophecy, and when is prophecy over my life real? If you have been in church longer than a week you probably have had someone "prophecy" over you. Or, in some instances,
"prophe-lie." Haha, little church humor for you there.
The Greek word for Prophecy that is used in the New Testament has multiple meanings. The most commonly known definition is the foretelling of future events. This being most evident when prophesying about the Kingdom of God. However, we cannot limit this Word to such a small portion of it's meaning. There is a beauty in both the Greek and Hebrew languages in that many of the words in these languages have multiple meanings and applications.
Here are three more meanings of the word prophecy that many people do not even know.
1.) To speak forth something that can only be known by Divine Revelation
2.) To break forth into a sudden impulse of praise before God and His counsel
3.) To teach, rebuke, correct, admonish, and encourage others under Divine Inspiration.
The Word for Prophecy has many ways that it can be expressed. A key to prophecy in EVERY definition is the Holy Spirit. Every definition lists "under divine inspiration" or "known by divine revelation." There are certain truths that MUST be taken from this. The first key to prophecy, whether giving or receiving , is the Holy Spirit of God. The Bible clearly states not to look past or forgo prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:5
"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up."
Now, if you go four verses back you can better understand why Paul wishes that "we may all prophecy"
1 Corinthians 14:1
"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy."
Not only is prophecy the foretelling of the futuristic events, especially concerning a person or the Body of Christ as a whole, but also prophecy is a foretelling of God's Word. God's Word itself is prophecy. For example, I was travelling with a ministry group and we were on a trip to Celera, Alabama, we were in the altars praying for people. My friend Ashley had left the altar to go pray with someone in the crowd. I knew and could feel the Holy Spirit was pulling one of us to speak to that person.
Afterwards, I felt led to go up to Ashley and tell her, "Hey, good job listening to the Holy Spirit." Then I smiled and walked off. Well what I did was speak life and encouragement into her. I was led by the Holy Spirit to do this. She comes up to me weeks later saying that that was very important to her and that she needed that. I did not know that! I had no idea that is what she needed to hear or know, but the Holy Spirit of God knew! I was just the vessel chosen for the task.
Here are the keys of knowing if what YOU are speaking forth is "prophecy."
* First, you MUST be hearing from the Holy Spirit. That "divine leading or revelation" that comes only from the voice of God. When you are led by His Spirit and you are speaking from Him, not you, it can impact lives. It can be something as simple as encouraging someone that you feel led to walk up to. Whatever the Holy Spirit urges you towards.
* Secondly, what you speak MUST line up with the Word of God. This is the verification of a prophecy. If what you are saying conflicts with the Bible, then its wrong. No questions asked. You are not above the Word of God nor is anything you say. The Bible is God's "logos", that is, His spoken and written down Word.
Here are the keys for you to keep in mind when you are "prophesied" to.
1.) When someone speaks into your life, it can be a confusing thing. Here is a big tip. If the prophecy has anything to do about your future, unless it is only CONFIRMING what God has already told you FIRST, take it with a grain of salt and don't give it a second thought. What I mean is, if God has called you to be a school teacher, and a person prophecies that over you then you should take it with "a grain of salt." These prophecies are and good and all, but as long as God told you through His Spirit first.
2.) God's Word brings peace, comfort, and joy. It brings the fruits of the Spirit! (Which makes sense, if something is from God, that is what it would bring) If someone says something to you, and it makes you feel uneasy or weird, or you doubt the things that God has already said to you, CAST THAT OUT! Get rid of it and don't think of it! If it's true God will make it come, but if you don't feel at peace in your spirit, odds are that this is not God's Word over your life. Do not get stuck on a prophecy from man when you need to be hearing the current "Rama", that is, His current Word.
3.) Does it line up with the Word of God? The Bible is your eternal reference. Everything must line up with this Holy Book. This enables you to take in, process it, and let God show you if it true for your life.
The point of all this is for you to go forth in confidence every day and KNOW what He wants for you in your life. We must rely on God's Word. However, this is a great thing and an encouraging thing. In ways we may not even think of, God is encouraging us, empowering us, and bringing His love to us. God loves each one of us more than anyone else can. There is a phrase today that says, "I'm just saying." Well, while encouraging you, "I'm just prophetically speaking." Have a blessed day.
~Deuce
10/18/2013
Ever wondered what prophecy was? Who was a prophet, who gives words of prophecy, and when is prophecy over my life real? If you have been in church longer than a week you probably have had someone "prophecy" over you. Or, in some instances,
"prophe-lie." Haha, little church humor for you there.
The Greek word for Prophecy that is used in the New Testament has multiple meanings. The most commonly known definition is the foretelling of future events. This being most evident when prophesying about the Kingdom of God. However, we cannot limit this Word to such a small portion of it's meaning. There is a beauty in both the Greek and Hebrew languages in that many of the words in these languages have multiple meanings and applications.
Here are three more meanings of the word prophecy that many people do not even know.
1.) To speak forth something that can only be known by Divine Revelation
2.) To break forth into a sudden impulse of praise before God and His counsel
3.) To teach, rebuke, correct, admonish, and encourage others under Divine Inspiration.
The Word for Prophecy has many ways that it can be expressed. A key to prophecy in EVERY definition is the Holy Spirit. Every definition lists "under divine inspiration" or "known by divine revelation." There are certain truths that MUST be taken from this. The first key to prophecy, whether giving or receiving , is the Holy Spirit of God. The Bible clearly states not to look past or forgo prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:5
"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up."
Now, if you go four verses back you can better understand why Paul wishes that "we may all prophecy"
1 Corinthians 14:1
"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy."
Not only is prophecy the foretelling of the futuristic events, especially concerning a person or the Body of Christ as a whole, but also prophecy is a foretelling of God's Word. God's Word itself is prophecy. For example, I was travelling with a ministry group and we were on a trip to Celera, Alabama, we were in the altars praying for people. My friend Ashley had left the altar to go pray with someone in the crowd. I knew and could feel the Holy Spirit was pulling one of us to speak to that person.
Afterwards, I felt led to go up to Ashley and tell her, "Hey, good job listening to the Holy Spirit." Then I smiled and walked off. Well what I did was speak life and encouragement into her. I was led by the Holy Spirit to do this. She comes up to me weeks later saying that that was very important to her and that she needed that. I did not know that! I had no idea that is what she needed to hear or know, but the Holy Spirit of God knew! I was just the vessel chosen for the task.
Here are the keys of knowing if what YOU are speaking forth is "prophecy."
* First, you MUST be hearing from the Holy Spirit. That "divine leading or revelation" that comes only from the voice of God. When you are led by His Spirit and you are speaking from Him, not you, it can impact lives. It can be something as simple as encouraging someone that you feel led to walk up to. Whatever the Holy Spirit urges you towards.
* Secondly, what you speak MUST line up with the Word of God. This is the verification of a prophecy. If what you are saying conflicts with the Bible, then its wrong. No questions asked. You are not above the Word of God nor is anything you say. The Bible is God's "logos", that is, His spoken and written down Word.
Here are the keys for you to keep in mind when you are "prophesied" to.
1.) When someone speaks into your life, it can be a confusing thing. Here is a big tip. If the prophecy has anything to do about your future, unless it is only CONFIRMING what God has already told you FIRST, take it with a grain of salt and don't give it a second thought. What I mean is, if God has called you to be a school teacher, and a person prophecies that over you then you should take it with "a grain of salt." These prophecies are and good and all, but as long as God told you through His Spirit first.
2.) God's Word brings peace, comfort, and joy. It brings the fruits of the Spirit! (Which makes sense, if something is from God, that is what it would bring) If someone says something to you, and it makes you feel uneasy or weird, or you doubt the things that God has already said to you, CAST THAT OUT! Get rid of it and don't think of it! If it's true God will make it come, but if you don't feel at peace in your spirit, odds are that this is not God's Word over your life. Do not get stuck on a prophecy from man when you need to be hearing the current "Rama", that is, His current Word.
3.) Does it line up with the Word of God? The Bible is your eternal reference. Everything must line up with this Holy Book. This enables you to take in, process it, and let God show you if it true for your life.
The point of all this is for you to go forth in confidence every day and KNOW what He wants for you in your life. We must rely on God's Word. However, this is a great thing and an encouraging thing. In ways we may not even think of, God is encouraging us, empowering us, and bringing His love to us. God loves each one of us more than anyone else can. There is a phrase today that says, "I'm just saying." Well, while encouraging you, "I'm just prophetically speaking." Have a blessed day.
~Deuce
10/18/2013