1 CORINTHIANS 14
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 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. – 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
1 CORINTHIANS 14 PURSUE LOVE & DESIRE PROPHETIC GIFT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As you grow in your love for the Lord
Make a conscious effort to resist the world
Seek and chase unconditional love for others
Desire to prophesy so you can build one another
Do not be tempted to edify your own self
It defies the purpose of the gifts you received.
A prophecy is a statement which predicts a certain thing or event that is going to occur in the future. To prophesy is to declare or say what one believes is going to happen. In the bible we can reflect on the different prophets who actually prophesied future events which later on came to pass. Some of these prophets who spoke divine messages to a king or the people were Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and Elisha. Later, some prophets wrote God’s messages to his people. They were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, and Malachi. In 2 Peter 1:21, it says that 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. These prophets spoke beginning their prophecies with “Thus says the Lord” or “This is what the Lord God said.” They never claim that those messages they spoke are from them. Pastors or ministers are now our prophets because they speak the word of truth to the people so that they can understand God’s word and be built up to give glory to God. Any believer can be a prophet if they declare truth to mature others in their faith.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think Paul values prophetic gift as the highest spiritual gift?
