As Christians, we’ve heard of the ministry gifts the
Holy Spirit gives God’s people to build up the community of faith. Hopefully, we
even know what our particular gifts are. If not, we can always ask God to
reveal this as we reflect on the various gifts listed in Romans 12 and First Corinthians
12.
For instance, some of us have a gift of wisdom,
discernment, exhortation, or healing, while others have a God-given ability to
teach, preach, evangelize, or do administrative work. Usually, we can recognize
those gifts in the Christian community, but what about the gift of prophecy? Do
we recognize that gift in other people of faith – or in ourselves?
According to a search on Bible Gateway, the word
“prophet” comes up at least 450 to 500 times. However, we might have heard more
about false prophets, which, ironically,
the Bible only mentions a couple dozen times. Apparently, that’s enough to
frighten us! But, that's enough of that!
Dare we ask God to reveal the prophets in our midst?
Or – to be really daring – dare we ask, “Lord, am I a prophet?” God might stun you with a “yes!”
Anxieties over false prophets can make us wary of
that gift in others – and unaware of that gift in ourselves. But, if we dare to
pray about it and consider this possibility, we can tell if these descriptions
fit us or someone we know.
- Are you drawn to read God’s word, again and again?
- Do your values often differ from those of other people?
- Do you see where things are headed long before they’re there?
- Do you recognize the Lord (or His absence) in the people or situations around you?
- Is truth truly important to you?
- Are you apt to look beneath the surface and beyond the way things seem?
- Can you see into the heart?
- Would you rather please God than people?
- Can you identify problems but also see solutions?
- Do you long to see wrongs corrected?
- Are you sensitive to God’s movement?
- Do you often feel an urgency to pray?
- Do you encourage God’s people to seek and obey Him?
- Do you speak up when no one else will?
Many people think of a prophet as judgmental or some
kind of psychic able to tell the future, but that’s not it at all. A gift of
prophecy does come with power to discern what’s going on and to see where it’s
likely to end up, but, more often, a prophetic gift helps God’s people to wake
up to spiritual realities and gain courage to use whatever gifts they have been
given to serve the Lord.
Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020
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10 comments:
Mary, I really enjoyed reading this. I don’t think I ever thought of a prophet in this way before. I could answer yes to many of the questions. I’m going to look for these traits in people. Thank you and God bless you.
I love that you shared this Mary as it is something I would not have expected from you. This is a great piece because many discount the prophet thinking all that passed away after the disciples and apostles in Jesus days. There are some called to this office and function strategically especially in this hour of uncertainty. I like the checklist you gave for others to evaluate where they stand. True prophets are very accurate and if you are further interested in prophetic people I encourage you to sign up for Elijah list. You can go to elijahlist,com and get daily insights. The church landscape I know is changing and the office of a prophet is one whereby they will be directing the church in the five fold ministry. They are not shepherds like pastors but builders of systems and overseers of churches. With the media at our disposal there will be key information coming our way. Check out Chuck Pierce on Facebook as He is a true prophet. Glory of Zion in Texas is the church he is from and if you will avail yourself to his and his church videos.
I'm not surprised that you have a prophetic voice, Nellie. Thanks for your encouraging words. God bless you too.
Thank you, Valerie! I hadn't heard of Elijahlist.com but just bookmarked the page listing previous articles. Hope to read them soon.
Good post Mary, I get really tired of all the posts about false prophets. This is a much better perspective :)
Your words here truly made me wake up and pay attention, Mary. As I went through the list, I don't fit everything that describes a prophet, yet I identified strongly with so many of them. Does that mean I do have a gift for it, even it's a partial one? Thanks so much for helping us to reflect upon these attributes today.
Blessings!
Praise God! Thanks, Marja.
You obviously have a gift of encouragement, Martha Jane! What the Lord has in mind for you personally, I don't know, but I'll agree with you in prayer that God shows you clearly. It might be to speak out in a poem or become a prayer warrior or ____ however God fills in the blanks. Regardless, I'll be eager to hear what you discover! God bless.
Absolutely right, Mary and thanks a million for this great post.
Thank you for reading and for your encouraging words! God bless.
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