As we look further into the wonderful Gift of Prophecy, the Word of God exhorts us to pursue it diligently and with an earnest desire (1 Corinthians 14:1, 31, 39). The Gift of Prophecy is so important that we are also warned: “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, NKJV). Other translations use some interesting words: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good” (NIV); “Do not smother the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at those who prophesy . . .” (TLB); “Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages . . .” (GNB); “Never try to suppress the Spirit or treat the Gift of Prophecy with contempt . . .” (Jerusalem Bible). These Scriptures clearly imply that there will be negative reactions to the Gift of Prophecy. We see this in 1 Timothy 1:18-20, where Paul spoke harshly of two men who were rejecting prophetic words. Human nature has not changed. Therefore we must guard our heart and attitudes toward something that is ordained of God (even if we do not understand it). Please take some time to meditate upon the above Scriptures.

• Are we ignorant of Spiritual Gifts?

If we are, then it is so easy to reject what we do not know. Let God’s Word be the final authority on these matters ~ not some teachings of others who may have had a bad experience with Spiritual Gifts and therefore reject them as being irrelevant to function in the gatherings of the believers today. Some church doctrines even go so far as to teach that these Spiritual Gifts are not for today. Now that is very sad, because it means the people under those teachings are being robbed of the Holy Spirit ministry in their midst.  

•     Spiritual Gifts are God’s idea, not ours!  

Over the years I have heard some very negative attitudes spoken out with regards Spiritual Gifts. It is unfortunate that there are some prophetic people who are “a law unto themselves” and who are not in subjection to anyone, who feel it is their God-given right to move from Christian gathering to gathering to unload their prophecies on others. Just because there are some like that does not mean that all are like that! That is why we are told to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” That means letting go of that which is not of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, but clinging to that which is! The Bible is very clear on exposing the difference between true and false prophets, so make sure that you are seeking to know the God of the Word as well as the Word of God. If any prophetic word does not line up with the principles of the Word of God, then we have the right to question and/or reject it. There has to be a basis for testing the words given, and the Bible is that basis.

I am very grateful that I was born-again of the Holy Spirit in a church that believed in the supernatural and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit being for today. That has stood me in good stead over the years, as I have been able to pursue and develop the Spiritual Gifts to bless and build up other people as the Lord has inspired me to. Spiritual Gifts have opened the world to me for ministry. I am privileged to have so many more invitations to minister than I can handle (most days I receive an invitation to minister somewhere in the world). I am so glad that I have not despised or smothered the operation of Spiritual Gifts in my life and ministry. So many testimonies have and are being received as a result of Spiritual Gifts operating through us. Praise to the Lord!

So, where do you stand with regards exercising Spiritual Gifts? Do you prophesy? If not, why not? We are living in days when God needs your voice to be available to Him to prophesy those things that will build up the people of God today. “Do not quench the Spirit or despise prophesyings” ~ Rodney W. Francis.

Bible  Readings:  1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14,  1 Timothy 4.

Please Pray This Prayer:

“Dear God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I ask You to teach me to get serious about Spiritual Gifts operating more freely out of my life. Your Word tells me that I should and can prophesy, and so I ask You to liberate me to be able to minister this beautiful gift to build up the Body of Christ. Help me to deal with all those negativities in my life that are not allowing me to function in Your Spiritual Gifts. I really do want to be an effective and fruitful minister of Your Gospel in my day and generation. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen."

 The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry,  New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.