I am republishing this article that was first published in March because there is still much confusion in the body of Christ about the difference in prophets and prophecy.
The gift of prophecy spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:10 is for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). Any member in the body of Christ who moves in the gift of prophecy speaks words to build up, exhort, and comfort others. A person who moves in the gift of prophecy may occasionally be but usually is not a prophet.
A prophet speaks prophetic words that can, at times, include things to come, but that is different from one who speaks the gift of prophecy. As I am sure you know, the gift of prophecy is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12. The prophet is a gift himself from Jesus Christ to His Church (Ephesians 4:11). He moves in the gifts of the Spirit as other members of the body of Christ are to do, but he himself is a gift from the Lord. If the Lord speaks to him something about the future, it would usually fall under the gift of the word of wisdom. Speaking about the future is just a small part of the ministry of a prophet. Any real prophet is going to be preaching the Word of God and specifically emphasizing what God wants said to His people. For example, any and all real and mature prophets called by God will presently be ministering repentance to the Church because the Church is in desperate need of repentance.
Most of these guys seen on television who are presented as prophets need to repent themselves. I will deal more with that in the future. Some of these words that Charisma puts forth as prophetic words are well intentioned, but ... They sound good, but that is about it. I will not say more at this time. (Sorry if this offends.) When you meet or hear a true and mature prophet, you will understand the difference. A. W. Tozer was a true prophet. I encourage you to study his writings and listen to any recordings that you can find.
People sometimes confuse prophecy and words from a prophet because they are spelled similarly. Prophets do at times speak prophetic words concerning the future, but, if they do, it is not the gift of prophecy at work. It is the gift of the word of wisdom. The gift of prophecy is not for giving revelation. It motivates because it edifies, exhorts, and comforts. The gifts of the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the gift of discerning of spirits give revelation about things.
If the prophet moves in power, then he is moving in one or all of the following: the gift of faith, the gifts of healings, or the working of miracles. Tongues and interpretation of tongues are often considered in the same category as the gift of prophecy. They motivate!
God bless you! I enjoy sharing the things of God and His Word.
Visit our internet ministry at JesusandHisWord.org. There are messages found under the heading of Messages and also under the heading of Truth for Today.
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2 comments:
This is an awesome insight on the differences. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to explain this to people. I thank God for this word because there is too much confusion in the church. I can remember speaking with a Pastor's wife and her saying "yes I have that gift too" Also a Pastor comparing the gift with the Call as if they were one in the same. I remember thinking to myself "how many people have they confused." 1 Cor. 12:1. It is imperative that we study the Word of God that we pray and ask for wisdom, that we do all these things and more before we stand before God's people and begin to teach things that we don't even understand. That is why so many have become confused in the body. It stems from leadership these are people in leadership roles. I am not taking anything away from there gift(s) but we need wisdom concerning these things. I like this article. This defiantly what we need wisdom and clarity.
Thank you
Let's pray that God will bless the body of Christ with ministers that will minister the Word of God with wisdom and clarity. Let's pray that the Holy Spirit will find disciples all over this earth that will continue in God's Word of truth until they know truth. Let's pray that soon there will be a faithful remnant Church with Christ formed within that witnesses God's truth to the ends of the earth. God bless you!
In Christ,
Wayne Wilson
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