Characteristics of Prophesying

Prophecy is the act of speaking out the mind of God, under Divine

inspiration.

There are some rules if you will that prophecy needs to attach to, here a few:

• Prophecy will:

• Be in accordance with scriptures.

• 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

• 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Prophecy will:Give glory to Jesus, The Son of God.

• 1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)• 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test

the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

Prophecy will: Edify, not destroy.

• Build the Body, make it whole; not causing division or strife.

• Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)

• 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Prophecy will: Love the Sinner but hate sin.

• John 8:3-11 (NIV)• 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees

brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

Prophecy will: Love the Sinner but hate sin.

• 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Prophecy will: Convict, but not condemn.

• John 3:17 (NIV)

• 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Prophecy will: Present The Lord as a solution, if faces a problem.

• Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

• 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Prophecy will: Not be controlling.

• 2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV)

• 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Prophecy will: Stand the test of time.

• Deuteronomy 18:20-21 (NIV)

• 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” 21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?”

Prophecy will: Be tested.

• 1 Corinthians 14:29 (NIV)

• 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Prophecy will: Be a sign to the unbeliever.

• 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NIV)

• 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Prophecy will: Exhort. Invite the person to grow.

• 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NIV)

• 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Prophecy will: Comfort. It consoles and encourages.

• 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NIV)

• 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Prophecy will: Be given in proportion to the Speaker’s faith.

• Romans 12:6 (NIV)

• 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

• Will continue next Thursday.