A Crash Course in Prophesy
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
There's something beautifully unsettling about the idea that God still speaks today—not just through ancient texts or distant memories, but right here, right now, in the middle of our ordinary lives. For many of us, the concept of prophecy feels either dangerously chaotic or safely irrelevant, relegated to dusty biblical history or questionable television preachers. But what if we've been missing something essential?
The Spirit That Never Left
From the very beginning, the Spirit of God has been present. In Genesis, we see the Spirit hovering over the waters at creation—a plural verb with a singular subject, hinting at the divine community of Father, Son, and Spirit working in perfect harmony. Throughout the Old Testament, this same Spirit showed up in specific moments, resting on select individuals: Moses and the elders, Joshua with his gift of leadership, Samson tearing apart a lion with supernatural strength.
But there was always a limitation. The Spirit came to certain people at certain times for certain purposes. The average person didn't experience this divine presence. It was reserved for kings, prophets, and leaders.
Then everything changed.
The prophet Joel once declared a radical promise: "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit."
When Jesus arrived, He announced that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him—to bring good news, freedom, and healing. And after His resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, Peter stood before a confused crowd and declared that Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled. The Spirit wasn't just for the select few anymore. It was for everyone, everywhere, all the time.
But there was always a limitation. The Spirit came to certain people at certain times for certain purposes. The average person didn't experience this divine presence. It was reserved for kings, prophets, and leaders.
Then everything changed.
The prophet Joel once declared a radical promise: "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit."
When Jesus arrived, He announced that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him—to bring good news, freedom, and healing. And after His resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, Peter stood before a confused crowd and declared that Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled. The Spirit wasn't just for the select few anymore. It was for everyone, everywhere, all the time.
What Prophecy Really Is
Here's where we need to recalibrate our understanding. Prophecy isn't fortune-telling. It's not about predicting lottery numbers or announcing wedding dates. The best prophets aren't those who forecast the future with mystical precision; they're the people who can speak into your current circumstances with a clarity you don't yet have.
Think about it: when you're too close to a situation—too deep in the weeds of parenting struggles, relationship tensions, or career confusion—you can't see the full picture. You're painting your small section of the canvas. Sometimes you need someone who can step back and see the entire masterpiece, someone who can cut through what you're fixated on and help you see what God sees.
The Old Testament prophets rarely gave specific dates and times. Instead, they said, "Here's where you are right now. If you continue down this path, here's where you're headed." It was diagnosis based on present reality, not magical foresight.
Think about it: when you're too close to a situation—too deep in the weeds of parenting struggles, relationship tensions, or career confusion—you can't see the full picture. You're painting your small section of the canvas. Sometimes you need someone who can step back and see the entire masterpiece, someone who can cut through what you're fixated on and help you see what God sees.
The Old Testament prophets rarely gave specific dates and times. Instead, they said, "Here's where you are right now. If you continue down this path, here's where you're headed." It was diagnosis based on present reality, not magical foresight.
The Purpose: Strengthen, Encourage, Comfort
Paul makes it crystal clear: "The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort." This isn't about manipulation, condemnation, or control. It's not a weapon to wield or a spotlight to shine on people's failures.
If what you're about to say doesn't strengthen someone, encourage them, or bring comfort, it's probably not prophecy. It's something else—and likely something that should remain unsaid.
The framework is simple but profound:
If you can't answer yes to all three, pause. The Holy Spirit often tells us to be quiet more than to speak.
If what you're about to say doesn't strengthen someone, encourage them, or bring comfort, it's probably not prophecy. It's something else—and likely something that should remain unsaid.
The framework is simple but profound:
- Affirming: Is it uplifting and positive?
- Biblical: Does it align with Scripture and the character of Jesus?
- Christ-like: Would Jesus say this, and would He say it this way?
If you can't answer yes to all three, pause. The Holy Spirit often tells us to be quiet more than to speak.
Receiving Prophecy Wisely
Not everything spoken "in the Spirit" is actually from the Spirit. We're instructed to test everything, hold onto what is good, and reject what doesn't align with truth. When someone shares what they believe is a prophetic word, you have permission—even responsibility—to evaluate it.
Ask yourself:
Ask yourself:
- What's the revelation? What new insight or perspective is being offered?
- How do I interpret it? What does this mean in my specific context?
- How do I apply it? If this is true, what changes?
Everyday Prophesy
The invitation isn't to become mystical or weird. It's to become more attentive. To listen more carefully to the Spirit who's already speaking. To pay closer attention to the people around us and what they're walking through. To ask God, "What would You have me say? How can I encourage this person? What biblical truth applies here?"
The Spirit still speaks. He speaks in a familiar accent, through ordinary people, in everyday conversations. The question isn't whether He's speaking. It's whether we're listening—and whether we're willing to speak what He gives us to say.
Maybe it's time to stop treating prophecy with contempt or fear, and start treating it as what it truly is: a gift meant to build up the body, encourage the weary, and remind each other that Jesus is closer than we think.
The Spirit still speaks. He speaks in a familiar accent, through ordinary people, in everyday conversations. The question isn't whether He's speaking. It's whether we're listening—and whether we're willing to speak what He gives us to say.
Maybe it's time to stop treating prophecy with contempt or fear, and start treating it as what it truly is: a gift meant to build up the body, encourage the weary, and remind each other that Jesus is closer than we think.
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