Building Up the Body of Believers

July 10th – July 20th

Exercising the Gift of Prophecy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/16/21

How, then, do we exercise the gift of prophecy? We prophesy by applying the Word of God to every situation in our lives. The Bible has a word for you about everything from national politics to family situations. Through Scripture, the prophets and apostles Biblically instruct, warn, and exhort us as they promote righteousness and condemn the practice of dead religion. They extend God’s gracious invitation for people to repent, and they tell of God’s promise to bless those who obey Him. There is a word for every situation in our lives in God’s Holy Bible.

John Stott said that when we exercise the gift of prophecy and bring a word from God, relying faithfully on Scripture, we will disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. Prophecy is a gift for the strengthening, encouraging, and comforting of the church. It is to be eagerly desired as a gift that builds up the body of Christ.

The gift of prophecy manifests itself when a believer is able to give insight into the Word of God and accurately apply it to a given situation. Prophecy is when you have the right word to witness to someone or to instruct your children. It may take the form of teaching and preaching, or it may be as simple as having the right verse for a person in a time of need. When we exercise the gift of prophecy, we must, like John Newton, the former slave-trader, aim “to break a hard heart and to heal a broken heart.”

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of prophecy. I pray that You would give me daily insight into Your Word. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).